Therapy for Sensory Integration Disorder

Sensory integration disorder, also known as sensory processing disorder, affects how children perceive and interact with the world around them. The way they sense things (using sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing), is often more intense than the way most other children their age sense things. Normal childhood activities, such as playing with clay or learning to eat a variety of foods, are upsetting for them. There are several therapy alternatives for children with sensory integration disorder, helping them to better adjust to the world they live in.

• Coping with Sensory Integration Disorder

Types

• There are a variety of therapy techniques that have proven to be successful in treating sensory integration disorder. One therapy technique is play therapy, which involves the child being introduced to new sensations or situations through normal play. Occupational therapy is another very popular approach for treating sensory integration disorder; patients learn how to play with other children, eat a range of foods (accepting different textures and temperatures, for example) or handle startling sensory stimuli.

Function

• The purpose of therapy for sensory integration disorder is to help patients overcome their aversion to different types of stimuli. For example, some children with this disorder may refuse to eat any foods that are not room temperature and soft. In this case, the therapist, or parent, may slowly introduce foods that are warmer, cooler or of a different texture. Although the therapy may take a while, many patients show major improvements, allowing them to more easily function in the world.

Significance

• The significance of therapy for sensory integration disorder is substantial. Although researchers have known about this disorder since the 1970s, there was no approved, regulated approach to therapy until much later. Researchers first had to figure out what was causing the problems these children were experiencing, and then develop ways to address the problem in a way that was not harmful or frightening to the child. Modern therapy techniques combine play with traditional psychological treatments, making it child-centered and more acceptable to patients and their families.

Benefits

• There are many benefits to therapy for sensory integration disorder. The most significant benefit is that patients learn to cope with the stimuli that make them uncomfortable. By engaging the children in fun activities, therapists are able to stretch the child's level of acceptance. This helps the child to function as close to normally as possible. Although therapy patients will probably always have to deal with the disorder, they can learn to work around their aversions.

Warning

• Children with sensory integration disorder should not be rushed into any situation through therapy that they aren't ready for. A licensed therapist should be in charge of putting together a treatment plan. If at any point during therapy the parents feel uncomfortable, or the child becomes upset, it may be a good idea to stop, take a chance to discuss the situation, and either slow down or try another technique.