Building Blocks

What is Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration (or processing) is the neurological process of organizing the information we get from our bodies and from the world around us for use in daily life. When our brain efficiently processes sensory information, we respond appropriately and automatically. We do this because our brain is equipped to modulate sensory messages.

What is Sensory Modulation?

Sensory modulation refers to the ability of a person's nervous system to respond to various kinds and amounts of sensory information while overall maintaining an optimal state of arousal. When people are at an optimal level of arousal, they are calm, alert, and ready to learn. Children with modulation difficulties may be under-sensitive or over-sensitive to sensory information and may have problems regulating their attention and arousal, as well as organizing their behavior for participation in age-appropriate activities. Often children that experience sensory modulation difficulties have disorganized behavior, increased anxiety, negative emotional responses, or fluctuating arousal levels. 

What is Sensory Discrimination?

Sensory discrimination is the ability of the nervous system to identify the type of and quality of sensory input-such as the size and shape of an object, the direction of a noise, and the position of our body as we move through space- and then interpret the information for the development of motor skills. When a child experiences difficulty with discrimination of sensory information, they may experience gross and fine motor delays, difficulties with motor planning and coordination, and problems with social interaction.

In sum, adequate sensory processing is necessary to provide a foundation or building block for the development of skills including gross and fine motor skills, visual/spatial abilities, motor planning, and one's ability to move safely within their surroundings. Often difficulties with sensory processing manifest as difficulties in behavior, social skills, and motor responses. For more information on sensory integration, please talk to your Child and Family Development occupational therapist!

Recommended Reading:

·        The Out of Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.

·        Sensational Kids by Lucy Jane Miller, Ph.D., OTR