What is Sensory Integration? Symptoms and Treatment

Sensory integration is the process by which our brain organizes sensory information received from our body and environment (touch, hearing, sight, smell, taste, balance, and deep sensation) and creates an appropriate response. Disruptions in this process are called "Sensory Processing Disorder" and directly affect children's academic, social, and daily living skills.

Symptoms of Sensory Processing Difficulties

Sensory sensitivities can differ from child to child. While some children are hypersensitive to sensory inputs (over-responsiveness), others need more inputs (under-responsiveness):

• Over-Responsiveness: Being extremely afraid of loud noises (vacuum, blender, etc.), being disturbed by clothing tags, avoiding hugging or being touched, being extremely picky about food textures.
• Under-Responsiveness (Sensory Seeking): Spinning around constantly, wanting to jump from high places, smelling objects or constantly putting them in the mouth, showing high tolerance to pain.
• Coordination Problems: Falling frequently, clumsiness, extreme insecurity when going up or down stairs, difficulty riding a bicycle or catching a ball.

How is Sensory Integration Therapy Applied?

Sensory integration therapy is applied in game form by expert physiotherapists or occupational therapists in specially equipped therapy rooms (swings, climbing walls, ball pits, materials of different textures). During the therapy process, the child's nervous system is supported to process sensory inputs correctly. In this way, the child's attention span increases, motor coordination develops, anxiety levels drop, and adaptation to daily life increases.