Sensory Integration: What it Is, What It Is Not, and How We Can Help All Children Focus and Attend

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Sensory Integration What it Is, What It Is
Not, andHow We Can Help All Children Focus and
Attend
Denver Academy
Stephen G. Viola, Ph.D. University of
Missouri-St. Louis One University Drive 201
EAB St. Louis, MO 63121 314-516-5332 viola_at_umsl.ed
u
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Sensory Integration Definition
What It Is

• Sensory integration is a neurobiological
  activity within our bodies. It is the way the
  nervous system processes information from the
  senses. Sensory integration is the brains and
  nervous systems ability to organize stimuli.
  When sensations flow in an organized manner, the
  brain can use these sensations to form
  perceptions, behavior, and learning.

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What sensory sensations are you experiencing
right now?
What It Is
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We are always integrating.
What It Is
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There is not an on/off switchIt is not yes or
no
What It Is Not
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It is a continuumWe are all somewhere on the
continuum
What It Is
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Bad ParentingLaziness/Poor MotivationLearning
DisabilityMost ImportantlyIt is Not Complicated
What It Is Not
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What It Is
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What It Is Not
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Hypersensitive
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Hyposensitive
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A kid at the end of the continuum
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A kid at the end of the continuum
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A kid at the end of the continuum
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The Nasty Vegetable
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A kid at the end of the continuum
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Light Touch
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A kid that needs lots of light touch
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The kid that hates light touch
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Deep Pressure Touch
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A kid who needs lots of deep pressure touch
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A kid at the end of the continuum
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A kid at the end of the continuum
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Neurological Research

• Fields
• Ratey
• Kopetz

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Sensory Integration and ADHD

• 80 of children with ADHD are found to have
  hypo-sensitivity patterns
• 20 of children with ADHD
• are found to have hyper-
• sensitivity patterns

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Sensory Integration and ASD

• By definition, individuals with Autism
  Spectrum Disorder would have patterns of
  hyper-sensitivities

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Sensory Integration and VLD

• Children with Verbal Learning Disabilities often
  have patterns of hypo-sensitivities.

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Sensory Integration and NVLD

• Children with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities
  often have patterns of hyper-sensitivities.

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What can we do?

• Choose activities to stimulate a hypo-sensitive
  child (the hyperactive child)
• Choose activities to calm the hyper-sensitive
  child (the hypoactive child)

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Setting Up Your Classroom to Accommodate a
Variety of Sensory Profiles
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What can I use in my classroom?
Stretching
Bouncing
Walking
Carrying
Sitting
Squeezing
Spinning
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Time-In
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Everyone benefits from proprioceptive stimulation
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Massage
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Research Supports Increased Opportunities for
Active Play
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Research Supports Increased Opportunities for
Movement
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Classroom Organization Considerations
Variety of activities
Lighting and visual organization
Solo vs. group spaces
Layout
Taking care of personal needs
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Seating Considerations
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Prepare for Public Time
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Homework Considerations
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The Role of Sports in SI
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Materials
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Materials
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Materials
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Materials
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Materials
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Materials
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Occupational Therapy
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Is the problem really SI related?

• Sensory integration issues are common
• SI dysfunction can occur in tandem with other
  issues
• Not every issue is related to SI
• It is an explanation, not an excuse
• Remember that EVERYONE benefits from
  proprioceptive activities