All About Sensory Processing Disorder and Sensory Integration Therapy
Thursday March 8, 2007
- Your child with asperger syndrome makes straight "A's" at school but can't sit through a movie.
- Your little one "needs" to flap, spin, and crash into the furniture.
- Your adult child with autism can hold down a job, but still needs to sleep in a tight cocoon of blankets.
Sensory integration therapy is a form of occupational therapy which specifically addresses sensory disregulation. There's a lot to know about this therapeutic approach. For one thing, many mainstream institutions dispute its effectiveness - yet it is regularly incorporated into public school autism programs! Another important point is that, while sensory integration therapy is usually prescribed for children, experts say that it can be equally helpful for adults.
I've created a set of articles on the topic, which should answer most questions. Check them out, and let me know what you think!
- All About Sensory Integration Therapy and Autism
- Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism
- Does My Child with Autism Have Sensory Processing Disorder?
- What Do Sensory Integration Therapists Do for Children with Autism?
- Where Can I Find a Qualified Sensory Integration Therapist?
- Does Sensory Integration Therapy Really Work?
Comments
Thanks for the informative articles.
My autistic son has sensory issues, and I’ve felt deprived because OT/integration therapy isn’t generally available here in Norway, but seems to be something “everybody” gets in the US.
Your articles taught me that integration therapy isn’t actually a proven technique, so I don’t feel so deprived anymore. Besides, my son is making good progress without it, partly because we parents have learned what to look for and how to deal with it or get around it.
As he grows and matures, he himself has gotten better at tolerating situations that bother him and telling us how he experiences them. He also seeks out those sensory experiences that help him stay “in synch” — for example, lots of snuggling, and swinging on the swingset (thank heavens we’re heading towards spring).
To anyone who is trying to figure out their child’s sensory issues, I recommend this online checklist:
http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/sensory-processing-disorder-checklist.html