When sensory information (that we take in from our environment) is not being efficiently organized and processed in our brains, what results is called sensory integration dysfunction. An underdeveloped nervous system causes inefficient processing of sensory information, an this can often be seen in children who were born prematurely, or have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or ADHD, among other reasons. Sensory integration dysfunction can be presented in a few different ways, and can be placed in three general categories:

Different children perceive and process sensory information differently. Some children find loud noises scary, while others like to bang objects and search for interesting ways to create noise. Similarly, some children may only tolerate certain fabrics or textures for clothing, while others may enjoy rolling around in grass, sand, or on the carpet. All children and adults have different sensory preferences, and while most adults have learned to adapt to their specific needs, some children need guidance in processing sensory information to reach their full potential. Some symptoms of sensory processing disorder in children include: * Inability to focus on an activity if there’s background noise *Jumping from one activity to another, never fully being able to complete a task *Responding negatively to loud noises, or often covering ears *Seeking high movement activities, but often appearing clumsy *Showing a strong preference for certain foods or smells Irritation from shoes, socks, tags, or different textures *Difficulties learning new activities *Under or over-sensitivity to touch, movement, sights, or sounds *Tendency to be easily distracted *Social and/or emotional problems *Unusually high or low activity level *Poor coordination *Physical clumsiness or apparent carelessness *Poor fine motor coordination *Impulsivity, lack of self-control *Difficulty in making transitions *Inability to unwind or calm self *Emotionally reactive *Poor self concept *Delays in speech, language, motor skills *Delays in daily skill performance (dressing, feeding) *Delays in academic achievement

With effective treatment provided by an occupational therapist, a child’s nervous system can develop the ability to process sensory information in an appropriate manner. A child with poor sensory integration skills may need to learn specific compensatory strategies to function optimally and integrate sensory input in an efficient manner.

At The Hyche Center, we tailor our therapy to meet the needs of each individual child. Our therapists are specially trained to provide your child with vital sensory input and experiences needed to meet the needs of his or her nervous system. Children with sensory processing disorder require individualized treatment plans adapted to motivate and empower them to reach their full potential, with the proper balance of arousal, calming and organizing activities.