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| Sensory Integration Therapy |
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Sensory integration is the neurological process of organizing the information we get from our bodies and from the world around us for use in daily life. Sensory integration normally develops in the course of ordinary childhood activities. But for some children, sensory integration does not develop as it should. Sensory integration disorder is a problem in processing sensations and it can cause difficulties in daily life. The Out of Sync Child book gives a good overview of the challenges presented by this disorder. The various forms that this disorder can take are presented in the Out of Sync Child book as are various therapies that can help.
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Sensory integration disorder is a complex neurological dysfunction that causes children to process sensation from the environment or from their bodies in an inaccurate way, resulting in "sensory seeking" or "sensory avoiding" patterns or "dyspraxia", a motor planning problem. Carol Stock Kranowitz states the sensory integration dysfunction may affect 12% to 17% of children and throws some kids "out of sync" emotionally, socially, and behaviorally. The out of sync child may be overly reactive or under-reactive to touch, movements, sights or sounds. The out of sync child may exhibit behavior issues such as distractibility or withdrawal, fear or aggression.
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This condition is a processing disorder. The initial assessment discovers how the child perceives and responds to sensation. This information is most valuable in determining what therapy is needed. For the out of sync child auditory integration therapy for example, might be necessary in order to mitigate his or her processing disorder. As a part of autism treatment, sensory integration treatment may involve many different options such as physical therapy or vestibular therapy. Therapy for vestibular processing issues focuses on body positioning and coordination. Trampoline exercises are effective for vestibular processing problems; other examples of vestibular therapy might be eye exercises or balance balls for sitting.
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Pediatric physical therapy can also provide therapy that concentrates on improving balance and coordination. Some physical therapy clinics now concentrate on clients with autism or other neurologically-based developmental delays. Whether these are pediatric physical therapy locations or cater to all ages, they generally offer a fun-based format rather than a rehabilitation atmosphere like many general physical therapy clinics. Physical therapy and occupational therapy both concentrate on specific tasks which the individual may need to master to perform successfully in the world. After utilizing occupational therapy autism clients can tolerate more stimuli than before and function in more appropriate ways.
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Autism therapy may involve using a brush to stroke with children with hyposensitivity, or stimulating the senses with play dough or finger painting. Autism therapy for children with hypersensitive may call for peaceful activities such as gentle rocking or applying even pressure to soothe them. When applying occupational therapy autism calls for a highly individualized approach. Although sensory integration disorder (SID) is its own diagnosis, it can be linked to other neurological conditions, and falls under the DSM-IV criteria for Asperger syndrome. Because of this, most autism treatment calls for occupational therapy or some other means of addressing SID.
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