Introduction to Blog

This blog aims to discuss sensory integration therapy for children with Autism through several blog postings. As this is quite a broad topic with vast amounts of information, I have selected the following headings to discuss my selected subject;

- What is sensory integration therapy and who is it for

- Occupational Therapists Role

- Sensory Rooms

- Sensory Integration Activities/ Interventions

- Outcomes

- Reflection and Other Helpful Resources

What is sensory integration therapy and who is it for

The concept of sensory integration therapy was first developed by Dr. Jean Ayres (Occuaptional Therpaist) in the 1950's. In the 1970's two books on sensory integration were published by Ayres; Sensory Integration and Learning Disorders and Sensory Integration and The Child. Ayres describes sensory integration as the 'organization of sensation for use' Yack, E., Sutton, S., Aquilla. (2002). Sensory Integration Therapy is an extenstion and elabaration of theories and practice in the perceptual and perceptual motor areas. Sensory integration therapy aims to improve a childs;

- Everyday functioning

- Intellectual, social and emotional development

- Interactions with the surrounding environment

- The achivement of normal developmental milestones

The sensory integration therapy frame of reference has been applied to clients with the folowing diagnosis; Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Learning Difficulties, Attention Deferciet Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Schizophrenia, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Developmentally Delayed children Stein. F., Cutler, S, K. (2002). Sensory processing problems ultimately  result from difficulties in the nervous systems ability to receive, organaise and use sensory information from the body and the environment for self regulation and motor planning (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2011).

                        (http://www.sensationalkidsot.com.au/sensory.htm)

References:

Stein. F., Cutler, S, K.  (2002). Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: A Holistic Approach. Pg 151 -163.

The  American Occupational Therapy Association. (2011). Occupational Therapy Using a Sensory Integration–Based Approach With Adult Populations.

Yack, E., Sutton, S., Aquilla. (2002). Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration: Therapy for Children with Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disroders. Texas. Future Horizons.

Occupational Therapists Role

Occupation Therapists play a vital role in identifying and treating sensory integration problems. Occupational Therapists within a paediatric setting  use skilled treatment aimed at maximizing the abilities of infants and children to achieve self-help, play and learning skills appropriate for their age.  Using purposeful activities, including the tasks of daily life such as play, promotes children to function at the highest degree of functional independence as possible. Occupational Therapists are considered experts within this area due to training in neuroscience, anatomy, activity analysis and the ability to use sensory integration based approaches to identify and treat sensory processing deficits. As Occupational Therapists we work with caregivers, parents, family and medical, educational and mental health professionals to increase awareness of the signs and symptoms of sensory processing related problems and the types of interventions that can be applied. Sensory Integration based Occupational Therapy services can be offered through consultation, individual therapy and group therapies. Sensory Integration Therapy can be offered by Occupational Therapists throughout many settings including; hospitals, community based clinics, day programs, forensic settings , rehabilitation centres and in the private sector (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2011).

Reference:

The American Occuaptional Therapy Association. (2011). Occuaptional Therapy Using a Sesnory Integration- Based Approach With Adult Populations.

Sensory Rooms

Sensory rooms aim to offer indiviuals with Autism the oppurtinty to stimulate, develop or balance their sensory systems (Wilkes, 2005). Sensory rooms can be a therapeutic experience for all those with sensory processing disorders. The concept of sensory rooms was first developed in the Netherlands by Clark, who esatblished the 'snoezlen' rooms (to 'smell' and to 'dose'), more commonly known today as sensory rooms (Wilkes, 2005).
Sensory rooms are ideally made to be tailored to the individual as different indiviuals require different sensory input.

On placment within a special educations unit I was fortunate enough to see the benefits of the sensory rooms with the children. One student with Autism would enter therapy sessions demonstrating aggitative behaviours and after therapy within the sensory room, the child became more relaxed and returned to class with a greater attention span. Below I will break down the different aspects needed to consider when working with a client in a sensry room.

Smell (Olfactory): Resources used to stimulate this sense can include; Scented oils, scented candles, aroma diffusers, scented markers, scented playdoh, toys, scented neck wraps, potpouri and sprays.

Taste (Oral-Motor): Supervised licking, sucking, tasting, or chewing a variety of foods, liquids, gum, or candy is a great activity to include within sensory rooms. For hyposensitive indiviuals; sweet, salty, spicy and sour flavours. For hypersensitive individuals, one new taste or texture at a time is reccomended.

Proprioception: Therapy balls can be used to apply presure to the individual  as well as; weighted vests, blankets, bean bags, lycra swings and hammocks. Deep pressure will calm, relax and soothe hyperactive children. Activities that can be used within the rooms to stimulate or soothe the indiviuals propioception inlcude; scooter boards, moon shoes, tunnels, balls, mini trampolines, ladders and squeeze toys.

Tactile: Playdoh, funny foam, zyrofoam, textured balls, tactile walls, textured materials, fingerpaints, koosh balls, massagers and various types of materials are used within sensory rooms.

Auditory: Sound pillows, sound eye masks, CD's, tapes, nature sound machines, white noise machines, indoor wind chimes and music are the most popular choices for calming and organizing auditory input

(http://www.thejigsawhouse.com/ot.html)

( http://donorswhocare.org/about-us/grant-stories/stillwater-multi-sensory-room.html)

Reference:

Wilkes, K. (2005). The Sensory World of the Autistic Spectrum: A Greater Understanding. London. The National Autistic Society.