Signs of Sensory Integration

Sensory Integration Disorder, or SID, is a neurological disorder in which the five senses of touch, taste, sight, sound and smell have trouble processing information. The disorder begins in childhood. The senses function correctly but they are not processed by the brain correctly and cause confusion and anxiety. Children with this disorder often face difficulties because their senses are sometimes too sensitive, but unable to process the outside stimuli. Others with SID have under-active senses and are cut off from the stimuli of the world, while another child may filter all information through a background of "white noise" or a distracted cognitive approach in which senses work but screen out any meaning included in the stimulation process. The Apraxia Kids website has compiled a massive amount of information on children with SID.

Auditory Symptoms

• Auditory problems plague people with SID. They are often frightened by unexpected or loud noises, and they will often push their hands over their ears to block out external sound. When loud noises are present, people with SID find it hard to function and have trouble walking and talking because of the distraction to their senses. The child may seem completely out of sorts with his environment as well and will not participate in social functions easily.

Visual Symptoms

• The child with SID may avoid bright lights, preferring to be left in the dark. The child may hold intense eye contact or avoid it altogether. She will hesitate when faced with a large obstruction in her path such as stairs, elevators or towers.

Taste and Smell

• Taste is a common problem area for a child with SID. The child will avoid nutritious foods specifically needed for his age group. Taste and smell processes seem to overlap and the child is drawn to foods that smell interesting rather than foods that are healthy. The child also sniffs inanimate objects and surfaces, searching for a certain smell or taste. Strong odors do not seem to bother the child at all.

Touch

• The SID child can be over-sensitive to touch sensation. She will avoid putting her hands into messy substances like glue, glitter or sand. The SID child will also touch objects, fabrics, and people of interest repetitively out of curiosity and pleasure. Pain threshold and tolerance may higher in the child, so he may be in danger by experiencing a dangerous level of pain and not realizing it. For example, the child may bathe in extremely hot water and not be able to feel the burning sensation because of the miscommunication between the senses and brain.

Conclusion

• Integrating children with SID into mainstream society will be a challenge. Some children with SID go on to lead normal lives and some remain in an autistic state for the rest of their lives. The help a child receives depends on monetary status of the parents, the mental health services available and the therapy or coaching a child may receive. The Apraxia-Kids website listed (see Resources below) has detailed description of symptoms of SID in children and is a valuable resource.