Dysfunction of Sensory Integration

Sensory integration is the ability to organize and process sensory input and then use that input to respond appropriately to a particular situation.

Over 80% of the nervous system is involved in processing or organizing sensory input. Sensations are “food” or nourishment for the nervous system. Without a good supply of many kinds of sensations, the nervous system cannot develop adequately. The brain needs a continuous variety of sensory nourishment to develop and then to function.

When the brain is not processing sensory input well, it usually is also not directing behavior effectively.

Without good sensory integration, learning can be difficult, and the individual often feels uncomfortable about himself and cannot easily cope with ordinary demands and stress.

Although inadequate sensory “nourishment~ can occur from inactivity (TV, computer, video games), more often this contributes to the problem and is not the cause. Most children with sensory integration dysfunction do not have brain damage. They have about as many neurons as other children; their problem is caused by interconnections that work in an irregular way. Therefore, sensory integration dysfunction will not show up on a MRI or other type of test that looks for brain damage or disease. it represents malfunction, not absence of function.

Sensory systems use receptors to pick up information that is then processed by the brain. Every sensation is a form of information. The nervous system uses the information to produce responses that adapt the body and mind to that information. Taste, smell, sight and hearing give us information about the external environment. Sensory integration dysfunction is frequently an issue of processing information from the internal sensory environment, or the body. The vestibular system is the sense of movement and gravity and because it anchors us to the earth it is the reference from which all other sensory input is processed. Proprioception is our sense of body position, our internal awareness of where our body parts are in space and in relation to each other. The tactile system is our sense of touch and it is the largest sensory system and the first to develop in the womb. It plays a vital role in human behavior, both physical and mental. Adequate processing of vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile information is extremely important to developing a good foundation of sensory integration.

Common issues of sensory processing deficits: difficult transition, easily frustrated, behavioral ~melt downs”, anxiety, intolerance of clothes and/or haircuts, poor sleep habits, low self-esteem, language/reading delays, learning disabilities, attention issues, poor social skills, picky eater, uncoordinated, poor gross and/or fine motor skills.

Sensory integration dysfunction is frequently a part of other spectrum disorders such as Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD and ADD/ADHD. It is also frequently noted with Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome and other developmental disabilities.