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What is Sensory Integration?
Sensory Integration is the neurological process of organising the information we get from our bodies and from the environment around us for application in daily life.
This process occurs in the central nervous system, consisting of the brain, the neurons and the spinal cord. “The principal task of this nervous system is to integrate the senses.”
“ Over 80% of the nervous system is involved in processing or organising sensory input and thus the brain is primarily a sensory processing machine.”
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How does it work?
Information is received through the sensory systems of sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing, other sensory systems include the vestibular (movement and balance) and proprioception (position of the body in relation to the environment)
The brain receives millions of sensory message in the course of the day. The brain is equipped to modulate these sensory messages, in sieving out what is relevant and what is not. When the brain is efficiently processing sensory information, then we respond appropriately.
Generally, sensory integration develops in the course of childhood activities. However for some children and adults, sensory integration does not develop efficiently.
What is Sensory Integration Dysfunction?
Sensory Integration Dysfunction is the brain’s inability to process sensory messages effectively, the brain is unable to analyse these sensory messages; it is as if there is a short circuit or a traffic jam in the brain. What may happen is that there is - inefficient sensory intake
- neurological disorganisation
- inefficient motor, language, behavioural or emotional output resulting in not responding in an ordinary way to ordinary sensations, not being able to react or behave in a meaningful and appropriate way.
What causes Sensory Integration Dysfunction?
Current research suggests several possible causes; Sally Kranowitz in ‘The Out-of-Sync Child” cites, amongst a host of other reasons:
- chemicals, medication or toxins that the fetus absorbs
- pregnancy complications, virus, chronic illness, stress
- premature birth
- birth trauma, due to an emergency cesarean section, lack of oxygen, surgery after birth
- a lengthy hospitalization
Check out her book to find out other causes!
The most fundamental sensory systems are the
These lay the basic groundwork for a person’s healthy development.
Bibliography
- Sensory integration and the Child – Jean Ayres
- The Out-of-Sync Child – Carol Kranowitz
- The Sensory Sensitive Child – Karen A Smith and Daren Gouze
- Sensational Kids – Hope and Help for children with Sensory Processing Disorder – Lucy Jane Miller & Doris Fuller
- Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Apsperger’s, Tourette’s, Bipolar, and More - Martin L. Kutscher, MD
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