SENSORY INTEGRATION AND SENSORY CIRCUITS

COURSE LEADER JANE HORWOOD

UNDERSTANDING SENSORY PROCESSING

AIMS

TO GAIN A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF SENSORY PROCESSING

TO RELATE SENSORY PROCESSING TO OURSELVES AND THE CHILDREN WE WORK WITH

TO GAIN IDEAS AND INTERVENTIONSTO UNDERSTAND THE FORMULA OF

SENSORY CIRCUITS AND HOW TO SET ONE UP

THEORY OF SENSORY INTEGRATION

DR JEAN AYRES BRAIN BASED THEORY OF BEHAVIOUR CHILD DEVELOPMENT THE SOMETIMES TRAFFIC JAM AFFECTS US ALL THE WORLD IS A SENSORY PLACE

THE BRAIN AS A SENSORY PROCESSING MACHINE

UNTIL ABOUT 7 YEARS THE BRAIN IS DESCRIBED AS PRIMARILY A SENSORY PROCESSING MACHINE

THE BRAIN SENSES THINGS AND GETS MEANING DIRECTLY FROM SENSATION

A YOUNG CHILD DOESNT HAVE MANY ABSTRACT THOUGHTS/IDEAS ABOUT THINGS HE SENSES THEM AND MOVES IN RELATION TO THE SENSATION

ADAPTIVE RESPONSES TO SENSATION ARE MORE MOTOR THAN MENTAL

FIRST 7 YEARS ALL ABOUT SENSORYMOTOR DEVELOPMENT

HAVING FUN

WHEN THE CHILD EXPERIENCES CHALLENGES TO WHICH HE CAN RESPOND EFFECTIVELY HE HAS FUN!

IT IS PLEASURABLE TO ORGANISE SENSATION WELL AND RESPOND IN WAYS THAT ARE MORE MATURE AND COMPLEX THAN ANYTHING DONE BEFORE

A HUMAN BEING IS DESIGNED TO ENJOY INPUT THAT PROMOTES BRAIN DEVELOPMENT THEREFORE WILL SEEK OUT SENSATIONS THAT HELP ORGANISE THE BRAIN

SENSORY PROCESSING AND A.S.D.

WHEN USING STANDADAISED SI TESTING SCORES SIMILAR TO THOSE SEEN IN CHILDREN WITH DYSPRAXIA

DIFFICULTIES LOCALISING TACTILE STIMULI

KNOWING WHERE THEIR HANDS ARE IF YOU CANT SEE THEM

POOR MOTOR PLANNING

SENSORY PROCESSING AND A.S.D.

OFTEN SMALL WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY WHEN IT ALL COMES TOGETHER

THE BRAIN CAN REGISTER AND FILTER AND DEAL WITH SENSATION ONE DAY BUT NOT THE NEXT

PROCESSING IS INCONSISTENTTHIS IS TO BE EXPECTED

CHILDREN LEARNING AND DEVELOPING THROUGH PLAY

SENSORY SYSTEMS

EXTERNAL SENSATION FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

TACTILEAUDITORYVISUALGUSTATORYOLFACTORY

SENSATION FROM THE BODY

VESTIBULAR SENSEPROPRIOCEPTVE SENSEVISCERAL SENSATION

OUT OF STEP BABIES

ORAL DEFENSIVETACTILE DEFENSIVE CNS CANNOT ORGANISE SENSATION ON

RED ALERTHIGH INVARIENT HEART RATE SLIGHTEST

THING CAN OVERLOADEVERYTHING RELATED TO

SAFETY,DEFENCE,CONTROL,SURVIVE,DEMAND

OUT OF STEP BABIES

AS AN INFANT IF OVERSTIMULATED YOU CAN SCREAM OR SHUT DOWN/FALL ASLEEP

ARE OUR VERY QUIET BABIES PERHAPS IN SHUT DOWN?

ARE OUR IRRATIBLE BABIES THAT DONT SLEEP TELLING US SOMETHING?

THESE ARE WARNING SIGNS ALL IS NOT OK

SENSORY INTEGRATION DYSFUNCTION

SENSORY MODULATION DISORDERSUNDER/OVERRESPONSIVITYSENSORY BASED MOTOR DISORDERSDYSPRAXIA/POSTURAL DISORDERSENSORY DISCRIMINATION DISORDERVISION/HEARING/TOUCH/TAST/SMELL/MOVEMENT/POSITION

REMEMBER

Not every child who is late at reaching milestones or behaves differently from peers has SPD

SPD affects everything in daily life it is all pervading

IS IT SENSORY OR BEHAVIOUR

BEHAVIOURS THAT ARE SENSORY IN ORIGIN ARE STILL BEHAVIOIRS AND TO EXCUSE UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOURS IS A MISTAKE

THE BEHAVIOUR CAN INTERFERE WITH AN INDIVIDUALS ACCEPTANCE AND INTERACTION WITH HIS ENVIRONMNET AND DEPRIVE THEM OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES OR PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCES

IS IT SENSORY OR BEHAVIOUR

BEHAVIOURS ARE OFTEN COMPLEX AND HAVE MULTIPLE CAUSES

MOST POSITIVE CHANGE OCCURS WHEN BEHAVIOUR AND SENSORY ISSUES ARE CONSIDERED TOGETHER

INDIVIDUALS OFTEN USE A SIMILAR STRATEGY TO COPE IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS EG IN EVERY OVERWHELMING SITUATION HE CRIES,THEN HITS OUT THEN FLEES!

IS IT SENSORY OR BEHAVIOUR

REMEMBER SENSORY BASED PROBLEMS OCCUR ACROSS MULTIPLE ENVIRONMENTS/SETTINGS

IF PURELY BEHAVIOURAL STRATEGIES ARE USED WITH SENSORY BASED BEHAVIOURS THEY ARE NOT VERY SUCCESSFUL!

BY TRYING TO LOOK AT THE CONFUSING OR UNUSUAL BEHAVIOURS THROUGH SENSORY GLASSES ORDER CAN BE CREATED AND A PROGRAMME DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS BEHAVIOURS

POSTURAL DISORDER

SENSORY MODULATION DISORDER

SENSORY OVERRESPONSIVITY OR SENSORY DEFENSIVENESS

SENSORY DEFENSIVENESS IS A CONSTELLATION OF SYMPTOMS RELATED TO AVERSIVE OR DEFENSIVE REACTIONS TO NON NOXIOUS STIMULI ACROSS ONE OR MORE SENSORY SYSTEMS

OVERREACTION OF THE NORMAL PROTECTIVE SENSES WITH PATTERNS OF AVOIDANCE,SENSATION SEEKING,FEAR ANXIETY AND AGGRESSION THAT ARE VERY INDIVIDUAL

SENSORY SYMPTOMS OF OVERRESPONSIVITY

BOTHERED BYTEXTURES/MESSY PLAYCERTAIN FOODS/CRUMBS AROUND MOUTHGROOMING/PERSONAL CARESMELLS/FRAGRANCENOISEBRIGHTLIGHT/SUNSHINEMOVEMENT/BEING UPSIDE DOWN

OVERRESPONSIVE BEHAVIOURS

Aggressive or impulsive when overwhelmed by sensation

Irritable/Fussy/MoodyUnsociable/difficulty forming relationshipsExcessively cautious/afraid to try new thingsUpset by transitions/unexpected changeMonitors the environment constantly vigilantUnderlying anxietyAnticipatory avoidance the thought of

something is enough!

Sensory symptoms of underresponsivity

Doesn`t cry when hurtDoesn`t notice touchDislikes new physical activitiesPrefers sedentary activitiesSlow unmotivated re self help skillsUnaware of what`s going on around himUses vision to operate handsUnaware of hot/cold/hunger

REMEMBER

THE PAIN TEST INDIVIDUAL MAY APPEAR

UNDERAROUSED,UNDERRESPONSIVE BUT IF THEY HAVE A DECREASED PAIN RESPONSE THEN MAY BE SENSORY DEFENSIVE/OVER RESPONSIVE

PAIN IS SUPPRESSED AT HIGH LEVELS OF AROUSAL

Behaviours re sensory underesponsivity

Passive.Quiet.Withdrawn.In own worldApathetic/tires easilySlow to respond to directions/complete workLittle inner drivePoor at social interactions/difficult to engagePoor registration of sensory input e.g.

doesn't react to name being called, oblivious to new people in room

Sensory seeking symptoms

On the move constantlyCrashing/banging/rough playTouches everythingExcessive risks in playExcessive spinning/swinging/rollingStrongly flavoured foodChews/licks non food itemsCant sit still

Sensory seeking behaviour

Angry/explosiveIntense/demanding/hard to calmProne to create dangerous/”bad”

situationsMay be excessively affectionate physicallyOften poor at self regulation with levels of

arousal or attention that are inappropriate to the task/setting

Resting Arousal level often too high

Sensory seeking fun

Sensory postural disorders

Poor muscle toneAppears weak/cant pull/pushPoor balance/falls over/bumps into thingsPoor enduranceSlumps at the table/deskBilateral problems

Sensory postural disorder behaviours

Appear lazyAppear indifferent/unmotivatedAppears weak/limpTired most of the timeCant hold their own in rough and tumble

play

Sensory Discrimination Symptoms

Uses vision to monitor hands/bodyCant judge force and effort required in a

taskHearing what is said against background

noiseFinding way around a

building/environmentsDifferentiating smellsRecognising objects by their shape

Sensory Discrimination Behaviours

Gets lost easily/cant follow directionsDislikes puzzles/visual gamesFrustration in noisy settingsNeeds instruction repeatedNeeds more time to perform a task

VESTIBULAR SYSTEM

RECEPTORS IN INNER EARBODY POSITION AND MOVEMENTPOSTURAL TONESTABILISATION OF EYES DURING HEAD MOVEMENTALERTNESS AND SELF REGULATION

VESTIBULAR FUN FOR ALL

VESTIBULAR SYSTEMS

HYPOSENSITIVITY

HYPERSENSITIVITY

SENSORY BASED POSTURAL DISORDER

Vestibular/Movement

Backward head movementHead up side downVisual cliffs e.g. stairsChallenge to balance/centre of gravityMovement through space

Effects of vestibular difficulties

Play and exploration of the environment

Going in transport/buggy/vibration in vehicles

Grooming e.g. hair washingMoving across uneven surfaces up and

down steps and stairs/escalators

POSTURAL

PROPRIOCEPTIVE SYSTEM

PERCEPTION OF JOINT AND BODY MOVEMENT

PERCEPTION OF POSITION OF BODY OR BODY SEGMENTS IN SPACE

RATE AND TIMING OF MOVEMENTFORCE AND EFFORTSPATIAL ORIENTATION OF BODY PARTS

PROPRIOCEPTIVE DYSFUNCTION

BANGERS,CRASHERS,SHAKERS,MOVERSTIGHT CLOTHINGBITES,CHEWSCAN HURT OTHERS GETS IT WRONGCAN BE CLUMSYDIFFICULTY WITH MOTOR SKILLS

CYCLING,JUMPING JACKS SLEEPING,EATING

Proprioceptive difficulties

Weight bearing /difficulties walking on uneven surfaces on steps and stairs

Weight bearing on arms and legs as an infant e.g. crawling, mobilising

Using objects e.g. pushing/pulling lifting, holding on/holding a grip

Chewing certain textures or consistencies

HITTING GIVES ME GOOD PROPRIOCEPTIVE FEEDBACK!

TACTILE SYSTEM

PRIMARY SYSTEM FOR MAKING CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD

NOURISHED AND CALMED THROUGH TOUCH

ROOTING REFLEXFIRST SENSORY SYSTEM TO FUNCTION IN

UTEROMENTAL,PHYSICAL,AND EMOTIONAL

BEHAVIOUR

TACTILE SYSTEM

VIBRATIONTOUCH PRESSUREPAINTEMPERATURELIGHT TOUCHTICKLE

TACTILE DYSFUNCTION

NEGATIVE REACTIONS TO TOUCHUPSET IN RAIN,WIND,GNATSBARBER,DENTIST,DOCTORTEETH CLEANING,HAIR BRUSHING,NAILS

CUTTINGCLOTHES PAIN,OVER RESPOND,UNDER

RESPOND,HYPERCHONDRIAC

Tactile difficulties

Being touched by others/affectionGrooming and hygiene tasks including

showers/bathsWearing clothes/changing

clothing/clothing that is tight in certain places or touches certain places

Going barefootEnvironmental exploration/touching

objects/food/grasping

Tactile Difficulties

Decreased pain awareness/hurts self/seeks out intense stimuli/dangerous situations

Over sensitivity even to the possibility of painTooth brushing/dentistEatingMouthing objects/chewing clothingSpeech certain sounds not articulated that

pass air over tongue and lips e.g. mmmmm!

Tactile Difficulties

TemperatureEasily bothered by heat or coldOver dress or under dress for the

temperatureOblivious to heat or coldTemperature of food

SOCKS AND CLOTHES

SOUND

SOUNDS CAN SOMETIMES BE NEAR AND THEN FAR AWAY

FREQUENCIES OF SOUNDPERSEVERATION OF SOUND IN THE HEADMAKING YOUR OWN NOISELANGUAGE IS NOT MEANINGFUL

Auditory processing difficulties

Social interaction/sounds of some voicesVigilant to ambient noise/strong indicator

of sensory defensivenessSounds in the environment are noxious Affects environmental access and

exploration

VISION

COLOURPATTERNFLUORESCENT/BRIGHT LIGHTSEEING PART BUT NOT THE WHOLEVISUAL DISTORTIONS/VISUAL FIXATIONS

Visual processing difficulties

Movement in ambient visual field/strong indicator of sensory defensiveness

Visual cliffs i.e. stairsMovement towards faceEye contactComplex visual background/busy school

settings/super markets etc

Olfactory difficulties

Sharp odours are bothersome e.g. shampoos/perfumes

Chemical odours e.g. cleaning products/laundry products

Food smellsAll can effect environmental access and

exploration

Gustatory Difficulties

Picky about tasteSharp tastes e.g. toothpaste a problemSeeks intense taste such as spicy or sour

foods or non foodsCan affect what is eaten in the diet

Multi sensory processing difficulties

Can affect emotional stabilityAbility to self regulateSleeping and getting to sleepNew situations/places and people may be

avoidedAll depends on the intensity

/novelty/unpredictability/unexpected/nature of the stimuli

Sensory diets

A sensory diet is a strategy for developing an individual programme that is practical, carefully scheduled,predictable,consistent and based on the concept that controlled sensory input can affect functional abilities

Aims of a sensory diet

To reduce or eliminate sensory defensiveness

To promote the right levels of arousal, self regulation and behavioural organisation

Careful planning is criticalActivities should be incorporated into daily

lifeActivities should be based on the

individuals preferences if possible

Sensory diet plan

Activities should includeActivities to be engaged in at specific

times of the daySuggestions for changes in

routines/interactions/environment and leisure activities

Sensory diet activities

The most powerful and long lasting activities include movement/deep pressure/joint compression and heavy muscle work

Sensory motor activity must be repeated throughout the day to help the individual maintain an optimal level of organisation

Sensory diet activity ideas

Movement e.g. swinging,jumping,walking,running etc

Rhythmic movement can be calming especially linear movement

Fast changeable movement can be alerting

Rotational movement needs careful monitoring

Vestibular input can last 2-6 hrs

Sensory diet activity ideas

Deep pressure inputJoint compressionHeavy muscle workActivities that involve

pushing,pulling,carrying,lifting and tugging

Muscles working against resistance e.g. in weight training

Sensory diet activity ideas

Oral motor/sucking,blowing,biting,chewing and breathing activities

Auditory input/music and background soundsNeutral warmth/warmth that just maintains

body temperature without being too hot or cold

Olfactory/use of scents to affect arousal levelsTaste/sweet/sour/bitter and flavours all affect

arousal levels

Adaption's and changes to routines

Develop consistent routines for daily activities e.g. wake up ,meal times. Be aware of the sensory qualities of daily events

Increase the predictability of schedule and routine.

Prepare for upcoming events or transitions

Accommodation of interactions

Modify voice volume, voice tone, speed of speech

Avoid light and unexpected touch Use firm touch Do hug Don't tickle

Move or pick up children slowly and smoothly

Be predictable in interactions Reduce the demand for eye contact Watch out for perfumes and other scents

SYNAESTHESIA

WHEN A PARTICULAR SENSORY SENSATION IS EXPERIENCED AS A DIFFERENT ONE

TASTE IS SENSED AS SHAPE/COLOUR,NUMBERS

COLD CAN FEEL WETEMOTIONS CAN BE COLOURS

SENSATIONAL SECRETS

A ATTENTIONS SENSATIONE EMOTIONAL REGULATIONC CULTURER RELATIONSHIPSE ENVIRONMENTT TASKS

A sensational secret

Attention/Sensation/Emotional regulation influence the individual internally

Culture/relationships/environment and tasks contextual elements that influence the individual externally

COMBINATION DISORDERS

YOU CAN BE SENSORY OVERRESPONSIVE/UNDERRESPONSIVE AND SENSORY SEEKING

SPD/ADHD ConnectionSPD/ASD ConnectionSPD /ANXIETY Disorders/the sensory

problems feed the anxiety and the anxiety feeds the sensory problems

INTERVENTION METHODS

SI Therapy uses play to present children with demanding but achievable goals that require the child to make an adaptive response

Adaptive response is an action beyond the limit of what comes automatically/easily but the child can get there with the right support

Sensory interventions

The SI approach looks at underlying deficits e.g. the child has poor handwriting Movement and proprioceptive input allows handwriting to progress

Sensory interventions are not a reward for good behaviour

Sensory interventions allow the brain and the body to be ready

SENSORY CIRCUITS

WHAT ARE SENSORY CIRCUITSHOW DID THEY EVOLVEWHO CAN BENEFITEVIDENCE BASED PRACTICEHOW DO THEY EFFECT SENSORY

INTEGRATION AND SENSORY MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

SENSORY CIRCUITS

THE FORMULAALERTINGORGANISINGCALMING

THE RIGHT AND WRONG ORDER!

EQUIPMENT RESOURCES

TRAMPETTES EXERCISE BALLS FINDING THE CORRECT

SIZESKIPPING ROPES,HOOPS,P.E EQUIPMENTPILATES EQUIPMENTBALANCE ACTIVITIES

SENSORY CIRCUIT STRUCTURE

TIMINGHOW MANY STATIONS?SYMBOLS/VISUALSMUSICHOW MANY TIMES A DAY?

SENSORY CIRCUIT PAPERWORK

LETTER TO PARENTSTARGET SETTING PHYSICAL/SENSORYCHILDREN`S FEEDBACKCIRCUIT CERTIFICATESREVIEW AT LEAST TERMLYCONTROL WEEKVIDEO

SENSORY CIRCUITS

THE BEST CIRCUITS ARE WHEN THE STAFF ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED

IMPORTANCE OF CIRCUITS WITHIN THE SCHOOL

INVITE PARENTSSTAFF MEETINGSTAFF ROTA TO WATCH

THE END