What is Sensory integration?
Sensory integration is the organization of sensations for use in day-to-day activities. This allows us to act or respond to any situation we are experiencing in a purposeful manner. It occurs automatically for most people. Sensory integration forms the underlying foundation for social skills and academic skills. Slow learning and poor behavior in children are often caused due to poor sensory integration. This could cause bright children to struggle at school and poor behavior in some children even though they have a positive upbringing. Unless the problem is severe, sensory integrative problems will be often overlooked by those who are not trained to recognize the problems. Sensory integrative disorder is a malfunction rather than the absence of function
How is it missed?
Pediatricians, family doctors, and psychiatrists may not always recognize this problem as their focus is on the other aspects of health, illness, and development. Parents are the first ones to notice any unusual signs, even without understanding what is really going on. The belief that the child will outgrow such problems with age often prevents them from getting professional help at the earliest and most critical time.
Realizing that your child may have a sensory motor disorder might be a little confusing for you at first. Synergy Therapeutic Group in Carbondale and Du Quoin, IL offers a variety of pediatric therapy services that can help your child meet the proper milestones for their age.
What causes sensory integration disorder?
What causes a sensory motor disorder to develop is not yet known, however, research has stated these conditions could possibly be a result of an environmental or genetic factor.
If your child has a sensory issue, it means that they may have difficulties with one of their senses. They may even have difficulties with more than one at the same time.
A few examples of tasks your child may struggle with include:
- Delayed sitting, crawling and walking
- Catching a ball, picking up toys
- Dancing
- Dressing themselves
- Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as writing
How do you treat sensory processing disorder?
With the right kind of attention through pediatric physical/ occupational therapy at Synergy Therapeutic Group, in Carbondale and Du Quoin, IL your child’s motor issues can be addressed and managed accordingly. One of our pediatric occupational therapists will assess your child’s abilities or any setbacks they might have. They can incorporate sensory integration therapy into treatment as well, where your child will be evaluated for any “sensory defensiveness” or “sensory cravings.”
Learn more about senses and sensory integration in the Breakthrough Parenting 7 Day Course
To schedule an appointment, please call us in the southern Illinois area at one of our offices located in Carbondale or Du Quoin, IL or click here.