What is Sensory Integration and why is it important?
There is a great expectation for children to stay on task, practice “quiet sitting” and to control their impulses. In certain situations, these expectations are reasonable but what about the child who either has an over active system or an under active system? For these children, sitting still may feel like an insurmountable task. If a child has a sensory processing disorder we strongly recommend consulting with an occupational therapist for a targeted treatment plan.
The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation defines SPD this way:
“Sensory processing (sometimes called “sensory integration” or SI) is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Whether you are biting into a hamburger, riding a bicycle, or reading a book, your successful completion of the activity requires processing sensation or “sensory integration.”
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly known as “sensory integration dysfunction”) is a condition that exists when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses. Pioneering occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological “traffic jam” that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively.”
So what does that really mean and what do you do about it?
First, it is important to realize that there is a wide spectrum, starting with the child who will only wear soft clothes to the child who seems to always be uncomfortable and unable to engage in their environment. A child may experience some slight tactile defensiveness: one girl I know would cry if her socks didn’t feel “right”. Some of the children that I work with are far more affected; for them simply following a daily routine can be challenging. Where ever a child falls on the spectrum they all can benefit from simple strategies and interventions.
There are two ways to address sensory processing. A “sensory diet” and sensory interventions. A sensory diet is what the child does every day to help their system process sensory information. An intervention would be changing the environment to help the child with a particular task. An example of this would be a seat wedge to help a child sit still in their chair.
As stated earlier, we recommend consulting with an occupational therapist regarding an individual child’s needs but we will share some of our strategies on how we help the children that we work with and love.
Strategies for an over-active system:
Exercise, exercise, exercise! One child I know, starts his day with 200 jumping jacks, another mother started a “Walk and Talk” before school every day. She gets to school early, invites other parents and children to join and they start their morning walking around the school field before the children begin their school day.
Swinging, but be careful: if one swings for too long swinging can switch from calming to exciting. Watch carefully for a child’s reactions to discern how long is the right time for that child.
Sensory bins and tactile toys like putty.
Hammocks, tents and ball pits.
Calming scents such as lavendar.
Brushing, deep pressure and joint compression
Video demonstrating Wilbarger Brushing Protocol (OT Brushing & Joint Compressions)
Strategies for Anxiety:
Heavy muscle work helps calm an anxious system. Jumping, carrying heavy things and wall push ups can aid in reducing what one of my young friends describes as feeling “jangly”. Before going into a sensory environment that can produce anxiety, like a busy playground, I often have a child do wall push ups or throw a heavy ball with me.
Organizing Activities:
A disorganized sensory system can lead to a disorganized brain, making focusing, paying attention and staying on task difficult, particulary in stimulating environments. When I see a child struggling to focus or stay on task I will often stop what we are doing and switch to an activity designed to help organize the system. For younger children organizing gross motor activities seem to help. This would be any gross motor activity that requires motor planning. For example, sending a child to run wildly around a field helps to control their energy level but will not help them organize their thoughts. Simply by giving them a set of instructions will make the exercise more effective for helping them organize their thoughts. This can be something simple like hopscotch or a more complicated obstacle course. With one particular child we start all our playdates with an obstacle course.
For older children, I may give them a simple paper and pen activity such as a logic problem or a crossword puzzle. Be sure to give the child something that they enjoy. If they don’t like crossword puzzle perhaps they would like a riddle to work on. The objective is to give them a simple task that requires them to respond in an organized manner.
Interventions:
Some children benefit from a “fidget”. This is any small item that feels good in their hands.
A seat wedge can help with a child who wiggles in their seat all the time.
A carpet mat or bean bag chair can benefit the child who either has a difficult time sitting for circle time or the child who can sit still but has no awareness of where they should sit. (These children will sit too far or too close to others.)
A theraband tied to the chair legs can help a child keep their feet still and their body centered while sitting.
These are some of the strategies and tools that we use. There are many more. If we did not include one that you have found helpful let us know so we can add it to the list!