Sensory Integration Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sensory Integration?
The senses do not work in isolation. Each works with the
others to form a composite picture of who we are physically,
where we are, and what is going on around us. Sensory Integration
is the critical function of the brain that is responsible for
producing this composite picture. It is the organization of
sensory information for on-going use.
For most of us, effective sensory integration occurs
automatically, unconsciously, without effort. For some of us, the
process is inefficient, demanding effort and attention with no
guarantee of accuracy. When this occurs, the goals we strive for
are not easily attained.
Sensory experiences include touch, movement, body awareness,
sight, sound, and the pull of gravity. The process of the brain
organizing and interpreting this information is called sensory
integration. Sensory integration provides a crucial foundation
for later, more complex learning and behavior.
For most children, sensory integration develops in the course
of ordinary childhood activities. Motor planning ability is a
natural outcome of the process, as is the ability to adapt to
incoming sensations. But for some children, sensory integration
does not develop as efficiently as it should. When the process is
disordered, a number of problems in learning, development, or
behavior may become evident.
The concept of Sensory Integration comes for a body of work
developed by A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR. As an occupational
therapist, Dr. Ayres was interested in the way in which sensory
processing and motor planning disorders interfere with daily life
function and learning. This theory has been developed and refined
by the research of Dr. Ayres, as well as other occupational and
physical therapists. In addition, literature from the fields of
neuropsychology, neurology, physiology, child development, and
psychology has contributed to theory development and intervention
strategies. |
