Sensory Integration Dysfunction

by Anna Glendenning | More from this Blogger

23 Feb 2006 03:40 AM

Children from a very young age must be able to take in information through all channels and perform many skills automatically. They need to know and be comfortable with where their bodies are in relation to the environment; they must feel safe and know where and how they are being touched. Children must also know, without being told, what information to pay attention to and what to ignore.

Many children don't know how to cope with the different sensory input they receive. They have difficulty organizing information and performing the many complex tasks needed for learning and functioning in the world. Children who, unlike the majority of their peers, are unable to process and use the sensory input they receive often have a sensory integrative disorder or dysfunction.

Children with sensory processing dysfunctions may exhibit problems in a variety of areas throughout their daily routines.

• Early feeding problems may have poor eating patterns and become fussy eaters.
• Aggressive behaviors, such as pushing, bumping, banging, biting hands.
• May have a lack of coordination and balance problems, appearing clumsy or careless.
• May be sensitive to touch, avoiding contact with others, insisting the tags be removed from their clothing, refuse to play with play dough or draw on paper.
• Difficulty focusing.
• Delays in motor skills.
• Delays in language skills.
• Difficulty with self-modulation, including temper tantrums, and behavior outbursts.

A common component of sensory integration dysfunction is sensory defensiveness, where a child is unable to tolerate various kinds of stimulation. This defensiveness can cause children to try and control every part of their lives by being excessively demanding, unreasonable, explosively angry, picky, and bossy.

These children need help and support in order to prevent their lives becoming so frustrating and unpleasant that they just give up. It is very easy to give these children the impression that they can do nothing right.

Treatment for children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction starts with understanding. Most public school systems offer Early Intervention services for children under the age of five. In these programs several screening methods are used to help identify early signs of Sensory disorders and services are often provided to help children learn to overcome or cope with their own sensory issues.

Occupational Therapy is also designed to help children with sensory disorders. If you feel your child may have a sensory disorder contact your local public school and ask, what services might be available in your area. You might also ask your child's doctor for a referral to an Occupational Therapist who can provide therapy and services to help your child manage and cope with the world around him.

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For more information about parenting special needs children you might want to visit the Families.com Special Needs Blog and the Mental Health Blog. Or visit my personal website.

Learn more about Anna Glendenning

Anna Glendenning is a mother of four. Two biological children grown and out of college, and two siblings and adopted together in 2003. Anna's Personal Website http://www.adoptiveparentsnetwork.

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