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.