Sensory Integration or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) occurs when there is dysfunction in the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into responses. Whether eating food, sitting in class, listening to the teacher, or coloring with a crayon, successful completion of these activities requires processing sensation or sensory feedback.
Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) may demonstrate:
- Poor sleep patterns
- Difficulty tolerating loud noises
- Difficulty having haircuts or nail cuts
- Difficulty paying attention, staying on task
- Difficulty with the taste and texture of food
- Trouble developing age-appropriate play and social skills
The treatment approach for Sensory Processing problems is called Sensory Integration. The goal of sensory integration is to challenge a child in a fun, playful way so they can learn to respond appropriately and function more normally. Treatment depends on a child’s individual needs, but in general, it involves helping children do better at activities they are normally not good at and helping them get used to things they can’t tolerate.
Another type of therapy is called the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR) model. A major part of this therapy is the “floor-time” method, which involves multiple sessions of play with the child and parent. The play sessions last about 20 minutes. During these sessions, parents are first asked to follow the child’s lead, even if the playtime behavior isn’t typical. For example, if a child is rubbing the same spot on the floor repeatedly, the parent does the same. These actions allow the parent to “enter” into the child’s world.