Sensory Integration

Question 1

Adaptive Response

Answer 1

• The result of optimal organization (of sensory system) which leads to efficient goal-directed action
• As tasks become more complicated and children continue to demonstrate adaptive responses, their sensory integration becomes more effective and efficient
• Thus, adaptive responses are thought to lead to changes at the neuronal synaptic level, altering the brain through neural plasticity

Question 2

Ayres Sensory Integration - Basis

Answer 2

• Emphasizes the proximal senses (vestibular, tactile, & proprioceptive)
• Ayres hypothesized that SI takes place in the lower levels of the CNS, including the brain stem (vestibular input) and thalamus (somatosensory input = tactile & proprioceptive)
• Thus, the refinement of primitive functions (especially those related to posture, balance, and tactile perception) will lead to increased functional skills, including learning, behavior, and motor skills
• Most sensitive = before 7 years of age

Question 3

Sensory Modulation

Answer 3

• Aka “sensory reactivity” or “sensory responsiveness”
• Is defined as regulation by the CNS of its own activity
• Refers to the tendency to generate responses that are appropriately graded in relation to incoming sensory stimuli, rather than under- or over-responding to them

Question 4

Underreactivity

Answer 4

• Aka hyporesponsivity
• Children demonstrate a pattern that looks as though they FAIL to orient to stimuli
• Is thought to lead to sensory-seeking behaviors as children may seek intense input or large quantities of input
• Example = Children seeking proprioceptive and tactile input may try to get their needs met through roughhousing or other deep-pressure input/muscle resistance to help regulate their experiences of touch and/or movement

Question 5

Overreactivity

Answer 5

• Aka hyperresponsivity
• Children demonstrate a pattern that looks as though they OVER-orient to stimuli (though any of the senses)
• Often may be result in:
  1. Tactile defensiveness = extreme reaction or overreaction to tactile input (especially light touch)
  2. Gravitational insecurity = overresponsivity to vestibular input, which can make childre scared of movement in general and especially having feet off of the ground

Question 6

Sensory Discrimination

Answer 6

• Refers to the brains ability to distinguish between and makes sense of (interpret) different sensory stimuli
• Example: Distinguishing between two different points on the skin being touched

Question 7

Tactile Discrimination difficulties

Answer 7

• Is characterized by difficulty making sense of or interpreting tactile input
• One of most common types of sensory integrative dysfunctions
• May lead to delays in fine motor manipulation skills, as well as difficulty with visual-motor tasks and motor planning in general
• Should be taught to compensate for motor skills by using visual guidance

Question 8

Difficulty with proprioception

Answer 8

• Characterized by children appearing gawky and having difficulty grading force
• Due to not getting needed information from muscles and joints
• Cognitive strategies can be used to help them compensate

Question 9

Visual-perceptual difficulties

Answer 9

• Common in children with other SI dysfunctions
• May lead to difficulties with form and space perception, figure-ground perception, spatial orientation, depth perception, and visual closure

Question 10

Vestibular-proprioceptive difficulties

Answer 10

• Characterized by poor bilateral coordination and difficulty sequencing actions
• Common presentations include decreased equilibrium reactions, poor posture, lower-than-average tone, and delayed gross motor skills
• Struggle with moving bodies in relation to changing environmental conditions (i.e., responding to a ball being kicked to them)

Question 11

Dyspraxia

Answer 11

• Difficulty with motor planning
• May involve difficulty with any of the 3 parts: ideation, planning, and/or execution
• Aka developmental dyspraxia or somatodyspraxia
• Children with dyspraxia also often experience difficulty with tactile perception and discrimination

Question 12

Principles of Ayre’s SI

Answer 12

• Individual intervention which is active and child-driven, utilizing play and imagination
• Uses just-right challenge to alter the child’s CNS so that they may respond more efficiently and effectively to their environment (increase frequency, length duration, and complexity of adaptive responses)