Sensory Integration Therapy
By Rachel Evans
Over the years, many studies have demonstrated a link between sensory integration therapy and improving the quality
of life for autistic people. Sensory integration therapy is a valuable tool to teach autistic children how to
interact with their environment.
One of the main difficulties autistic children face is how they perceive the environment. Oftentimes, their
sensory impulses are contradictory to what is expected by society. Autistic children often have severe difficulty
managing their sensory perceptions and a host of seemingly self-destructive behaviors or actions that are perceived
to be senseless is the result. Autistic people sometimes cannot perceive their own physicality and must resort to
these behaviors to “feel” something. For instance, some autistic children may bang their head against a wall or
spin around in circles. Others have been known to self harm or crash into objects. These behaviors are the direct
result of sensory integration impairment.
The process of sensory integration therapy seeks to mitigate these behaviors by teaching how to incorporate
information gathered through the senses: smell, taste, touch, hearing, and vision, and combine these stimuli with
what is already know to produce proper responses. As with levels of severity of autism, there are also different
levels in which autistic children experience sensory integration dysfunction (SID). These levels range from mild to
severe and can either manifest in a lack of sensitivity to the environment or a constant state of
over-sensitivity.
Sensory integration therapy seeks to teach the nervous system how to process stimuli in a normalized fashion. A.
Jean Ayers, Ph.D., was the first to research the process known as sensory integration therapy. She built the
foundation of the therapy that has been instrumental in helping autistic children all over the world. Using a
variety of sensory and motor exercises for the central nervous system it is actually possible to teach the brain
how to accomplish this. Typically, an occupational therapist or physical therapist is the professional that
practices sensory integration therapy.
Using various techniques it is possible to improve concentration, listening skills, physical balance, motor
functioning, and impulse control in autistic children. While it is not successful in 100% of cases, sensory
integration therapy has been shown to be a valuable tool for helping those with autism cope with their environment
and lead a better, more adjusted life. Each autistic child has different symptoms and it is necessary to devise a
plan for each individual when initiating sensory integration therapy.
If you wish to find a sensory integration specialist for your child, there are a number of ways you can go about
it. First, you can ask the guidance department at your local public or private school. If you know someone else who
has an autistic child in sensory integration therapy, it is always recommended to get a word of mouth referral. In
addition, there is contact information for leading organizations that deal with sensory integration therapy and
autism. Sensory Integration International, located at 1602 Cabrillo Avenue, Torrance, CA 90501, is an excellent
place to begin. Their phone number is (310) 533-8338. If you are looking for an actual practitioner, try the
American Occupational Therapy Association, located at 4720 Montgomery Lane, P.O. Box 31220, Bethesda, MD, 20824.
You can contact them by phone at this number: (301) 652-2682.
It is important to keep a positive frame of mind when dealing with autism. There is constant research and
valuable studies that are shedding light onto this disorder and finding new and innovative ways to treat it.
Sensory integration therapy should not be used as a standalone treatment. Diet, nutrition, and fun methods of
learning can all help autistic children interact with the social world in a more productive fashion. Have a browse
through the rest of the blog to read more about other ways to manage autism.
Rachel Evans has an interest in Autism. For further information on Autism please visit http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/autism.html or http://www.essential-guide-to-autism.com/blog/2006/08/26/sensory-integration-therapy/.
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