Anne's Occupational Therapy for kidsSensory Integration Therapy
Therapy is usually done by an occupational therapist. (There are some speech therapists, physical therapist and physicians who have also become certified in this area.) It involves activities to stimulate the dysfunctional senses. Usually the child has a craving for this stimulation and therefore therapy is enjoyable to these students. As sensory integration therapy often involves a great deal of equipment, such as swings, balls, trampolines, music and headphones, tunnels, body bags and other equipment too numerous to mention, it is usually most successful in a clinical setting.
Through evaluation, the occupational therapist will determine which of the senses is dysfunctional (vision, hearing, movement, touch, etc.) and develop a personalized therapy program for each child. A “sensory diet”, which involves activities (not food) designed to help the system integrate the particular sense, is often part of the therapy process, and is something that can be carried out at home. With adults, most intervention is in the form of a sensory diet and strategies for improving function in daily life activities. Strategies for improved functioning in the school setting are often implemented in the student where SPD interferes with his/her attention or increases distractibility in the classroom setting.
