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General Relationship Between Sensory Integration and Other Diagnoses Sensory Integration Intervention Educating Others What is the correct diagnostic label for difficulties with sensory integration? This is referred to as both dysfunction in sensory integration (DSI) and sensory processing disorder (SPD). Sensory processing disorder is currently used more commonly in the context of research, while clinicians often use the term sensory integration dysfunction. How do I know if my child has SI problems? Use one of OTA Watertown's checklists to determine whether an OT or PT sensory integration-based evaluation might be useful. Speaking to a therapist certified in sensory integration can also assist you in determining if problems might exist. What are the causes of sensory integration problems? We do not have verifiable research in this area yet, but it appears that there may be a variety of causes, such as genetics, prematurity, birth trauma, exposure to toxins, etc. Can sensory integration dysfunction be cured? When occupational or physical therapy is given using a sensory integration framework, the problems can be minimized. The nervous system can be changed, and the ability to process sensation can be improved. Biological research has shown that with therapy, the interference of sensory processing dysfunction with daily life tasks will be greatly minimized. Will sensory processing issues go away as my child grows up? No, it has not been found that these issues go away with time. However, they can appear to be minimized due to the greater flexibility most adults enjoy in choosing daily activities in comparison to children. Adults can also receive sensory integration intervention, and many report making gains with therapy. Relationship Between Sensory Integration and Other Diagnoses How is sensory integration dysfunction related to diagnoses such as ADHD, ADD, NVLD, autism, LD, etc.? If a child has another diagnosis, will he or she still benefit from sensory integration intervention?Sensory integration difficulties can occur alone or can occur in conjunction with many other diagnoses. Children with other diagnoses will likely be receiving a variety of services (speech therapy, ABA, tutoring, etc.). They may also be using medications. Sensory integration intervention is an appropriate service for children who, in addition to their other difficulties, have problems with sensory processing that impact their everyday, functional performance. How are ADHD and ADD similar and different from sensory integration disorder? Can ADD be cured with SI intervention? There can be problems with arousal, attention, and excessive movement with each disorder. Sensory integration intervention could help to reduce these problems. Some behaviors usually attributed to ADD or ADHD may in actuality indicate sensory integration dysfunction. For example, a child who is sensitive to touch or noise might be easily distracted, and poor postural stability or poor processing of vestibular input from the inner ear could result in constant movement when sitting. Do all children with autism have sensory integration difficulties? No, it is estimated that approximately 70% of children with autism experience sensory integration problems, and yes, the intervention can help to reduce the devastating effects of autism. How is sensory processing disorder related to anxiety disorder? Research is needed in this area, but it appears that individuals with sensory integration dysfunction are often prone to anxiety due to the constant frustration in leading one's life. Anxiety may also result from the tension related to being over-sensitive to touch, taste, smell, noise, and/or movement. Can SI intervention help children learn to talk or to read? If the basis for the lack of speaking clearly or reading well is rooted in sensory processing problems, then, yes, it can help develop those abilities. Many children with speech and language problems have difficulty with cerebellar functioning. The cerebellum is the center in the brain where vestibular (movement), ocular (visual), and proprioceptive (body position) input is organized. Occupational and physical therapy with a sensory integration focus can address these issues, resulting in improved language skills and reading abilities. In addition, skills addressed through this therapy, such as regulation of arousal level, postural control, and motor planning, are foundation abilities that are needed to support learning of any kind. Sensory Integration Intervention What happens during an occupational or physical therapy session where sensory integration techniques are used?The therapist typically structures the session using ideas and leads from the child to make the activities as meaningful as possible. Frequently the use of an imaginative play theme can enhance the child's willingness to engage in desired activities for longer periods of time. The rapport that the therapist and child develop is central to the therapy. The therapist is always working to provide the "just right challenge," while giving the child ample opportunities for enhanced sensory input to build a stronger foundation for skill. What is the difference between OT and PT? Occupational and physical therapists have very similar training, however, the OT receives more training in oral and hand skill interventions and the PT receives more training in postural and gross motor development. What is the training for a sensory integration specialist? Is SI certification necessary? Occupational and physical therapists who specialize in sensory integration assessment and intervention must already have a bachelor's or master's degree in their field. In order to become certified in SI, the therapist must take four, five-day courses covering sensory integration theory, assessment techniques, interpretation of test results, and intervention/treatment. Some qualified therapists are not SI certified, but have had a direct mentoring relationship with an SI certified therapist. It is ideal to be both assessed and treated by a therapist who has this type of background and who has experience in both evaluation and treatment of sensory integration difficulties. What do the letters after the therapists' names mean? The letters stand for the degree the therapist has earned and whether he or she is registered and licensed. All therapists have to pass an examination in order to become registered. For example, MS, OTR/L means "master of science in occupational therapy, a registered and licensed therapist." Some therapists have FAOTA after their credentials. This means that they have been asked to be a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association. This distinction is awarded to therapists in recognition of their skill and knowledge, which has resulted in the growth and improvement of occupational therapy. How often should my child have therapy and for how long? The length of therapy varies depending on what set of difficulties the child experiences, but it is common for children to need 50 to 80 sessions of therapy. In some cases therapy is given two to three times per week, which may shorten the number of months of therapy. What is a sensory diet? How is it different from treatment? A sensory diet is a daily or weekly list of activities that the child can engage in during regular routines to help maintain an optimal state of arousal. Sensory diet activities can also provide greater body awareness prior to performing skilled tasks. Although a sensory diet is developed by a therapist trained in sensory integration and can be an adjunct to treatment, it can also be implemented by parents, teachers, or clients themselves. How is clinic therapy different from school-based therapy? In a clinic, the goal is to provide therapy to address all aspects of a child's life (e.g., sleeping, eating, playing), including functioning in the home and community, as well as at school. In the school setting, the intervention must be related to specific difficulties in school functioning only. Does insurance cover SI intervention? Do schools provide SI intervention? Many insurance plans do provide coverage for occupational and physical therapy using a sensory integration approach. Each plan is different, however, making it necessary to talk with an insurance representative for your particular plan prior to initiating services. Some schools will provide OT or PT with a sensory integration emphasis within in the school setting, and occasionally a school will pay for outside services involving sensory integration. It is most likely for a school to fund outside services if the addition of sensory integration based intervention can help keep a child in a regular classroom or regular education setting. How do I begin talking to the school about my child's sensory issues? If you have an evaluation report that outlines your child's sensory issues, it is important to share it with the school. It can also be helpful to have your child's teacher fill out a sensory integration teacher checklist highlighting issues related to school performance. When the teacher has made his or her own observations, it is often easier to begin a dialogue. Clinics specializing in sensory integration often give informational talks and lectures that school personnel can attend. My special education department says SI intervention doesn't work for kids over eight. Is this true? No, this is absolutely not true. This myth seems to have arisen from an early study by pioneer A. Jean Ayres, in which she compared two groups of children receiving sensory integration based therapy. In one group the children were six to eight years of age; in the other they were eight or older. In this study, the younger group made better gains over a sixth month period. However, both groups made gains. How do I educate my child's doctor and get a referral? It can be helpful to provide your doctor with short written explanations of sensory integration dysfunction. My child's grandparents think my child has a behavioral or disciplinary problem. What resources can I use to help them understand? This is a common problem. It can be helpful to have them read books written for laypersons, such as The Out of Sync Child by Carol Kranowitz or Sensory Integration and the Child by A. Jean Ayres. Clinics often hold evening overviews, which can also be informative and allow the grandparents to ask questions. How do I explain my child's behavior to other people? For example, how do I explain why I appear to let my child get away with so much? It is important to tell people that your child processes sensation differently than others do and that this difference causes your child to be constantly stressed. It can be helpful to compare your child's reactions to the reactions we all have when undergoing a great deal of stress. People also tend to respond well to the fact that your child has a physiological problem and is not always in control of his or her behavior. It is also important to recognize changes in your child's behavior during the course of therapy and to modify your responses accordingly. |
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