Sensory Delays

Sensory FAQs

We know how difficult and disheartening it can be when your child struggles with sensory disorders and setbacks. Read through some of our Frequently Asked Questions to get answers to your questions.

If you can't find the information you're looking for, please contact us to speak with an experienced therapist.

What is Sensory Integration?

It is the neurological process of organizing sensations from one's own body and from the environment for use in our everyday life. It is information processing and makes it possible to use the body effectively in both motor and behavior responses within the environment (A. Jean Ayres, 1988).
 
Sensory Integration theory attempts to explain the relationship between sensory processing and behavioral deficits when they cannot be attributed to neurological damage or abnormalities. It is a theory of brain-behavior relationships (Fisher, Murray, and Bundy 1991).
 
Sensory Integration process is comprised of 3 stages. First, receiving the sensory input; secondly, processing and registering the input; finally, producing an adaptive response.
 
Overall, sensory integration is the process by which we take information from our environment through our sensory systems (vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile); our central nervous system (brain) then interprets and processes this information so that we can use it to function.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

It is a condition that exists when sensory input does not get organized into appropriate responses. Dr. A. Jean Ayres, occupational therapist and neuroscientist, ''likened SPD to a neurological ''traffic jam'' that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving information needed to interpret sensory information correctly''. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses. This creates challenges and difficulties performing and completing everyday tasks. Individuals with SPD may experience behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, motor clumsiness, and other effects if not treated effectively (Miller 2010).

What are the fundamental sensory systems?

Our central nervous system is bombarded every minute of the day to interpret information received from our body and our environment. According to Dr. Ayres' research, the fundamental sensory systems are the vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile.
 
The vestibular system provides information through the inner ear about gravity and space, about balance and movement, and about our head and body position in relation to the surface of the earth.
 
The proprioceptive system involves all the skeletal muscles, joints, and ligaments about where our body parts are and what they are doing as related to movement. It continues to develop into childhood.
The tactile system involves the skin and fascia including the oral touch receptors. It provides information about touch, pain, temperature, pressure, and texture. It helps us to distinguish between threatening and non-threatening touch sensations. This system tends to be the easiest to detect of all the sensory dysfunction because it is exposed to the most abuse from our environment. The tactile system continues to develop into childhood (Harper 2005).

What causes Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?

The exact cause of SPD has not yet been identified. Preliminary studies and research suggest some leading factors. The causes of SPD are among the topics that researchers at the SPD Foundation and their collaborators elsewhere have been studying. Their preliminary findings suggest that SPD may be inherited. Prenatal and birth complications have also been implicated, and environmental factors may be involved as well (Miller 2006).
 
While the exact cause is still unknown, there any many groups that have been found to be at higher risk of having an SPD. These groups include individuals who:

• Have a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Have been institutionalized, hospitalized or understimulated during critical periods of neurological development
• Were born prematurely
• Have been fed using alternative methods (e.g. tube-fed, central line) for extended periods of time (due to decreased oral stimulation and proper oral-motor development)
• Have Fragile X Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Down Syndrome, ADD/ADHD and/or other developmental delays and neurological disorders
• Were drug exposed during fetal development
• Have relatives with SPD, especially parents or siblings
• Do not receive proper, or enough, stimulation to all senses during development
• Have been exposed to a variety of environmental toxins
• Have food allergies

How is SPD identified?

Clinical assessments, parent surveys, and clinical protocols exist to identify children with SPD. Identification of SPD usually begins with a screening, which is basically a professional search for red flags that indicate enough differences in development to warrant more thorough assessment. Screenings can take place at school, in home, and/or an outpatient clinic and most often are conducted by an occupational therapist. A developmental history is often requested to supplement the observations of the evaluator. If sufficient differences exist, an evaluation will follow. This will involve standardized testing, detailed clinical observations to assess movement and reactions to stimulation, and parent report measures.

How many people are affected by SPD?

At least 1 in 20 people in the general population is affected by SPD. It affects children as well as adults. SPD is most commonly diagnosed in children, but adults without treatment also experience symptoms and continue to be affected by their inability to accurately and appropriately interpret sensory messages (Miller 2010)

What are some common red flags for SPD?

Parents may observe behaviors and ''over reactions'' to everyday activities that are not common or typical responses. Often their concerns may be overlooked, misinterpreted, or dismissed. Below is a list of common red flags that maybe disrupting their child's daily life.
 
If more than a few symptoms listed describe your child, seek advice from your pediatrician and request a screening from an occupational therapist who uses a sensory integration approach.

• Difficulty sleeping (falling asleep and/or staying asleep)
• Irritable or difficult to dress, uncomfortable with certain cloth textures, tags
• Picky eater, limited diet, issues with texture, temperature
• Over-sensitive to touch, smells, noises, light
• Avoids certain textures/materials with hands
• Consistently refuses to go barefoot
• Avoids imposed touch-hugs, kisses; prefers to initiate touch
• Infants/toddlers who refuse to go to anyone but parent
• Weak oral musculature (face/mouth)
• In constant motion; in everyone's face and space
• Difficulty maintaining grasp on objects
• Overall weak tone affecting muscles of trunk
• Difficulty standing in line; may push or poke others
• Unaware of pain
• Easily distracted, aggressive, fidgety; craves movement
• Easily overwhelmed
• Frequent or long temper tantrums
• Poor motor skills, clumsy, weak
• Difficulty with handwriting and other fine motor skills
• Limited to no interaction with peers, ''loner''
• Difficulty making friends

How is SPD treated?

Most children with SPD are as intelligent as their peers. Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR executive director of SPD foundation in Greenwood Village, Colorado said, '' Many are intellectually gifted. Their brains are simply wired differently. They need to be taught in ways that are adapted to how they process information and they need leisure activities that suit their own sensory needs.''
 
Once a child has been accurately diagnosed with SPD, he/she will benefit from a treatment program of occupational therapy with a sensory integration approach. This will take place in a ''sensory gym'' or OT gym by a well trained clinician who will guide your child through fun activities that are structured to constantly challenge, but always succeed. The goal of occupational therapy is to nurture appropriate responses to sensory input in an active, meaningful, and fun way in order to help the child respond in a more functional manner. Ultimately, the appropriate responses will be carried over into the home, school, and community settings. Family will be educated and involved with the therapist to learn more about their child's sensory challenges and methods for engaging in activities (often called a ''sensory diet'') at home and elsewhere. 
 
 

Service Area

Thrive Place Child Development Center helps families in Southwestern PA overcome feeding and sensory challenges in a safe, therapeutic environment. 

We serve clients from Pittsburgh and Allegheny County (including Bethel Park, Carnegie, Churchill, Forest Hills, Fox Chapel, Homestead, McKeesport, Monroeville, Mount Lebanon, Oakmont, Oakland, Penn Hills, Sewickley, Squirrel Hill and Wilkinsburg), Beaver and Beaver County (including Aliquippa, Ambridge, Monaca, and Shippingport), Butler and Butler County (including Saxonburg, Slippery Rock, and Zelienople), "Little Washington" and Washington County (including Canonsburg, Donora, and Monongahela), Greensburg and Westmoreland County (including Irwin, Jeannette, Latrobe, Monessen, Murrysville and New Kensington).

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