Please note: Our Online Booking tool is currently down, please contact us on 0330 088 7800 to arrange your appointment and we will honour any online booking discount.

 

  • Book now

we work with

  • Individuals

  • Solicitors

  • Case
    Managers

  • Intermediaries

  • Organisations

  • Health
    Professionals

 

  • Our Clinics

 

  • Contact us

Close Icon

What is sensory integration?



Sensory integration is the process by which the brain interprets sensory information and forms an appropriate response. Sensory integration enables us to participate in everyday life with ease and perform many skills and actions automatically. Typically, children are able to do this automatically. However, some children are unable to understand and deal with the sensory information they receive, or react to it effectively. This affects their potential to interact with the environment surrounding them. This difficulty is known as sensory integration disorder.


Sensory exercises using a resistance band and gym ballAbove: Sensory exercises using a resistance band and gym ball



What causes sensory integration disorder?



Neurological disruption leading to sensory integration disorder occurs in three ways:
  • the brain not receiving sensory messages
  • Sensory messages being received inconsistently
  • Sensory messages being received consistently, but not connecting with other sensory messages effectively
When the brain unsuccessfully processes sensory messages, it results in inefficient motor, language or emotional output. A number of situations where sensory integration disorder may be apparent include:
  • Autism and other developmental disorders
  • Premature birth
  • Stress-related conditions
  • Learning disabilities
  • Substance abuse due to learning disabilities
  • Brain injury
  • Fragile X syndrome
  • Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

What are the symptoms of sensory integration disorder?



Symptoms of sensory integration disorder will vary, and children will experience them in different ways. It is difficult to distinguish symptoms from other conditions or problems. Symptoms of children with sensory integration disorder include:
  • Distracted very easily / reduced attention span
  • Unable to calm themselves down
  • Enjoy strong rhythmic movements
  • Difficulty with balance and poor saving reflexes
  • Hypersensitive / hyposensitive to movement, sound, touch or sight
  • Delayed academic achievement / specific learning difficulty
  • Abnormally high / low activity level
  • Emotional problems
  • Social difficulties
  • Problems organising their movements and actions
  • Clumsiness or noticeable lack of care
  • Lack of self-control
  • reduced body awareness
  • Delay in motor skills, speech, or language development

What can physiotherapy do to help sensory integration disorder?



Physiotherapy can also offer a sensory integration programme. School based and home activities are far more beneficial for some children, rather than utilising special rooms with equipment. Children might benefit more from using a sensory integration approach whereby the specialist physiotherapist or occupational therapist can offer guidance regarding activities which can be carried out in the comfort of school and home surroundings.

Some practical activities that can be used to promote the vestibular or proprioceptive senses include:
  • rebound therapy
  • massage
  • swinging in a blanket/hammock/swing
  • hydrotherapy
  • increasing body awareness
  • stretches
  • rolling/ bouncing on a gym ball
  • experiencing large movements and movement through space
  • Crawling/climbing under and over large cushions, bean bags, apparatus, etc.
  • hydrotherapy

Summary



Sensory integration is the process by which the brain interprets sensory information and forms an appropriate response. Some children however are unable to understand the information they receive or react to it effectively – this is known as sensory integration disorder. A number of factors can contribute to this disorder including autism, premature birth, brain injury and stress related conditions. Children affected with the disorder may display a number of symptoms including being very easily distracted, hypersensitive/hyposensitive to movement, touch, sound, or having an abnormally high/low activity level. Specialist physiotherapists can help children with sensory integration disorder.

To arrange an appointment with Physio.co.uk call now on 0330 088 7800 or for more information please contact us.


Call us on: 0330 088 7800
Phone: 0330 088 7800
Call us on: 0330 088 7800
Mobile: 0330 088 7800
Email us on: office@physio.co.uk
Contact us by post: Our addresses
 
Get treated today!

We have immediate appointments available today. Contact us to make an appointment.

Find out more »

We are open...

Our clinics are open:
Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 9am - 4pm

 
Find your nearest clinic

Physio.co.uk have clinics located throughout the North West.

Find out more »

Physiolates - Pilates in Manchester Massage.physio.co.uk - View our services