Title: Sensory Processing in Adults with Developmental Disabilities Is it Sensory or Behavior
1Sensory Processing in Adults with Developmental
DisabilitiesIs it Sensory or Behavior?
- M. Janet Thomas, M.Ed.,OTR/L
- And
- M. Lenora Brasher, OT
- Georgetown University Center for Child and Human
Development
2Objectives
- Define Sensory Processing
- Describe What is Sensory Integration
- List all of the Sensory Channels
- Describe characteristics of high and low
thresholds - Discuss how Sensory Systems can impact behavior
- Come up with sensory strategies to facilitate
adaptive behaviors
3Sensory Processing
- Sensory Processing is the ability to take in
sensory information, register that information
and respond
4Sensory Integration
- The ability to organize sensory information for
use in daily life and respond adaptively
5Examples of Sensory Integration
- The ability to seek comfort and security in the
embrace of a loved one - To regulate attention to task
- The ability to anticipate and show awareness of
safety - To regulate activity level
6Sensory Channels
- Tactile or Touch
- Vestibular or Movement
- Proprioception or Deep pressure
- Vision
- Auditory
- Taste/smell
7Tactile System
- Touch input
- Discrimination
- Protection
8Tactile Characteristics of high and low thresholds
- High thresholds
- Touches people to the point of irritating others
- Doesnt seem to notice when face and hands are
messy - Overstuffs mouth
- Low thresholds
- Grooming is a challenge (hair cuts, tooth
brushing) - Bothered by tags
- Will only wear certain clothing
- Moves away when others are too close
9Vestibular or Movement
- System located in the inner ear that provides
information about where our body is in space, and
whether or not we or our surroundings are moving.
Tells us about speed and direction of movement
10Movement Characteristics of high and low
thresholds
- High thresholds
- Rocks back and forth
- Is in constant motion has difficulty sitting still
- Low thresholds
- Is afraid of heights
- Dislikes riding in a car
- Becomes dizzy easily
- Avoids balancing activities
11Proprioception or Deep Pressure
- System activated by muscle activity that tells us
where our body parts are and how they are moving.
This system leads to body awareness.
12Body Awareness Issues
- Exert too much or not enough pressure when
handling objects - Constant dropping of objects
- Does not seem to notice when clothing is twisted
- Tires easily
- Weak grasp
- Seems accident prone
13Visual System
- Provides information about people and objects.
Helps us to define boundaries as we move through
space
14Characteristics of Visual Processing Issues
- Appears uncomfortable in strong sunlight
- Has difficulty scanning the environment
- Difficulty finding objects against a cluttered
background - May pay attention to detail and fail to see the
whole
15Auditory System
- System located in the inner ear that is
stimulated by sound waves. Gives information
about sounds in the environment
16Auditory Characteristics of high and low
thresholds
- High thresholds
- Appears not to hear even when called
- Fascinated by certain sounds and repeats them
often
- Low thresholds
- Defensive to sounds may cover ears
- Easily distracted by sounds
- Constantly makes noise to block out other sounds
17Gustatory and Olfactory
- Systems of taste and smell. Receptors are located
on the tongue and in the nasal structure
18Taste/Smell Characteristics of high and low
thresholds
- High thresholds
- Excessive need to smell items/people
- Craves strong taste eats toothpaste
- Does not seem to smell even strong smells
- Pica
- Low thresholds
- Poor tolerance to perfume
- May gag easily
- Has many allergies
19Multisensory
- Many sensory experiences are multisensory
20Multisensory Issues
- Seems oblivious within an active environment
- Gets lost easily
- Has difficulty paying attention
- Looks away to notice all actions in a room
21Modulation or Self regulation
- Use of sensory inputs to remain organized, alert
and adaptive
22Sensory Profiles
23Sensory Diets
- Sensory inputs or strategies that promote
adaptive functioning
24Sensory Preferences
- In the words of Williams and Shellenberger, to
know thy nervous system is to love thy nervous
system and others.
25Sensory Tools
- Oral
- Movement and deep pressure
- Touch
26Detective Work
27Soper, G., Thorley, G. C. (1996).
Effectiveness of an occupational therapy
programme based on sensory integration theory for
adults with severe learning disabilities.
British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 59 10,
475-482.
- A study on adults who displayed sensory deprived
behavior such as teeth grinding, tactile
defensiveness and self-stimulatory behavior. - All were tested using behavioral checklists,
Ayers Scale of Adaptive Responses, and clinical
observations. - The experimental group received one hour of
sensory integration treatment per week - The control group received one hour of time in a
Snoezelen-type room per week.
28Results
- At the end of nine months the sensory integration
group did significantly better in vestibular,
proprioceptive and general responses than the
control group. - The researchers concluded that sensory
integration procedures are useful in helping
older children and adults to participate in
activities and to minimize tactile defensiveness
and problems of balance and posture.
29Smith, S. A., Press, B., Koenig, K. P.,
Kinnealey, M. (2005). Effects of sensory
integration on self-stimulating and
self-injurious behaviors. The American Journal
of Occupational Therapy, 594, 418-425.
- A study comparing the effects of sensory
integration approach and table top activities on
the frequency of self-stimulating behaviors in
children with PDD and mental retardation. - Children were pre and post tested with the
Sensory Integration Inventory Revised for
Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. - The study took place over four weeks. During
week one and three the children received table
top activities such as sorting, puzzles, and peg
boards. During week two and four the children
received sensory integration intervention.
30Results
- This study found that one hour after treatment
with the sensory integration intervention
self-stimulating and self-in injurious behaviors
declined. After one week of table top activities
the self-stimulating behaviors increased. - Activities rich in vestibular, tactile and
proprioceptive input were beneficial in reducing
the maladaptive behaviors.