What is Sensory Integration and Why is it Important in a Child’s Development?

What is Sensory Integration and Why is it Important in a Child’s Development?

By: Liezel Fernandez, OTR/L

Pediatric Occupational Therapist at AZOPT Kids Place

Does your child have difficulty engaging in tasks?  Do they overreact to movement activities like swinging or even when their feet leave the ground? Maybe your child walks on their toes, dislikes textures or messy play, or covers their ears and negatively reacts to loud noises like a vacuum or fire alarms.  Do they refuse bathing, nail cutting, or tooth brushing?  Chew on pencils or other objects?  Does your child seek all kinds of movement, crash into walls, or lack safety awareness?  These are some of the possible signs that a child has difficulty in processing sensory information.

Sensory Processing/Sensory Integration is when our different sensory systems work together to process different sensations from our body and/or environment. When this occurs, we are able to identify and give meaning to the different sensations we experience to accomplish daily activities and move in a coordinated manner. Adversely, Sensory Processing Disorder is the inability to receive and efficiently use sensory information. Difficulty in processing sensory information interferes in our daily activities and impacts our functional ability to perform different tasks.

Our sensory systems tell us what is going on around us or in the environment. Our bodies absorb different sensory inputs, which our brain then interprets and translates. We have 7 different sensory systems that we must know: proprioception, vestibular, tactile, auditory, olfactory, oral and visual.

The Proprioceptive system (position sense) commands our body position in space, timing of movements and amount of force we are exerting during activities.  It is necessary to have a strong proprioceptive sense to develop good body awareness, motor planning and coordination.  Proprioceptive input helps calm a child, improves attention and boosts focus.  Heavy work, deep pressure and resistive activities can strengthen the proprioceptive sense.

Example of Proprioceptive activities: (Calming/Organizing)

• Deep pressure massage
• Joint compression
• Wheelbarrow walk
• Animal walks (crab walk, bear walk, seal walk, etc.)
• Chair push up
• Wall push up
• Pushing and pulling activities
• Playing tug of war
• Carrying groceries or books
• Riding a bicycle
• Swimming
• Popping bubble wraps

Our Vestibular system (movement sense) regulates tolerances to changes in movement, position in space and sense of balance.  Children with difficulties or irregularities in vestibular system are either over responsive/hypersensitive or under responsive/sensory seeker.  Vestibular input can be calming or alerting.  Slow repetitive movements tend to be calming.  Fast, jerky movements tend to be alerting.  A strong vestibular system is necessary to improve balance and postural control.

Examples of Vestibular activities:

• Swing
• Somersault
• Log rolling
• Figure eight walk
• Spinning using a swivel chair
• Bouncing or inverting on a therapy ball
• Playground slides
• Playing hopscotch or a balancing game
• Slow rocking
• Jump rope
• Jumping jacks
• Sit ups

The Tactile system (sense of touch) allows us to determine the location of touch, amount of pressure, pain and temperature.  It helps us to differentiate types of textures, size and shape of objects in the environment. Tactile system is necessary in developing fine motor skills.

Example of Tactile input/activities:

• Playing with Play doh or putty
• Sand, water, rice play
• Lotion massage
• Use of hand fidget toys
• Giving hugs
• Finger painting or messy play
• Use of vibrating toys

The Auditory system (sense of sounds) recognizes and interprets sounds in the environment and our ability to respond to it.

Examples of Auditory Input

• Listening to classical or slow music
• Use of headphones
• Singing
• Nature sounds
• Play musical instruments
• Humming
• Labeling sounds

Our Oral system processes different tastes, textures and input inside the mouth.

Examples of Oral input

• Blowing bubbles
• Use of straw when drinking
• Blowing whistles
• Exploring different taste and texture of food
• Calming:
• Sweet – lollipop, hard candy, fruits
• Chewy – bagels, gum, gummy candy
• Warm food- soup
• Alerting: Salty, crunchy, sour, spicy and cold food

Our Olfactory system processes and responds to different odors. Examples of Olfactory input

• Scented candles
• Calming scents – vanilla, lavender, sweet orange
• Alerting scents – peppermint, lemon/lime

The Visual system gives us information about what we see in the environment. Example of Visual input

• Dimming lights
• Completing puzzles, mazes, dot to dots
• Decreasing visual distractions/use of environmental modifications
• Looking at picture books
• Playing I Spy
• Putting out less toys to avoid visual overloads

If you believe that your child is experiencing any of the difficulties mentioned, then you may seek assistance from a licensed Occupational Therapist.  An Occupational Therapist will evaluate and assist in the development and/or strengthening of these areas through therapeutic interventions.

Call Kids Place at (623) 229-7808 for more information or to schedule an evaluation.