Sensory Processing Impairments

Question 1

Sensory integration definition

Answer 1

• Organization of sensory input for use
• Foundation for adaptive responses to challenges of environment and learning
• Provides foundation for meaningful and purposeful participation in daily activities
• Dynamic interaction between abilities and environmental interaction

Question 2

Sensory input/stimulation

Answer 2

• CNS differentiates between input that is related and non-related
• internal/external feedback

When feedback to be processed is increased in frequency and variety the more difficult adaptive response is to organize

Question 3

Sensory input importance

Answer 3

• Gives information on environmental affordances
• Important for motor learning
• Point of correctness or anatomical alignment
• Must have sensory experience in posture before activity in the posture.

Question 4

Definition of sensory integration

Answer 4

The ability to organize and process information from the environment and body to produce an adaptive, goal oriented response

Tactile, vestibular, and proprioceptive information in first years of life

Question 5

Outcomes of Effective SI

Answer 5

Motor planning
Balance
Bilateral coordination
Postural stability
Body schema
Self image
Eye-hand coordination

Question 6

Movement disorders in children with SI dysfunction

Answer 6

Poor posture
Extension/flexion vs gravity
Rotation
Cocontraction
Wt Bearing/shifting 
In hand manipulation and grasping
Oral motor

Question 7

SI problems with neuromotor disorders

Answer 7

• Poor proprioceptive feedback
• Inability to make postural adjustments
• Difficulty with bilateral coordination
• Tactile defensiveness, discrimination, hyporesponsive
• Vestibular problems: GI, adverse reaction to movement
• Praxis: execution vs Praxis
• Alertness and arousal

Question 8

Types of sensory stimuli

Answer 8

Vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, vision, auditory, and gustatory

Channels of delivery: no system is inherently facilitative or inhibitive

Question 9

0-12 months sensory response evaluation

Answer 9

Is baby irritable?
Does infant put toys in mouth?
Sleep patterns
Does infant like to be held?

Question 10

12-18 months sensory response evaluation

Answer 10

Explore new textures, finger feed
Follow directions
Is child stuck in certain type of play

Question 11

18-36 months sensory response evaluation

Answer 11

How does child play
Changes activity level appropriate for play
Excessive need to move
Explore new toys/environments
Remains focused on task
Transitions well.

Question 12

How to choose sensory stimulation

Answer 12

Select naturally occuring
Use stimuli that pt has to respond outside therapy
Appropriate to activity and muscles
Use vestibular to elicit postural adjustments
Consider muscle tone
Identify preferred sensory input
Impaired systems may interpret things differently
Caution for overstimulation
Can change daily

Decrease sensory input with adaptation
Often start with proprioception

Question 13

Proprioceptive input

Answer 13

Quick stretch
Vibration
Jt approximation, compression, traction
Guidance, assistance, resistance

Question 14

Tactile input

Answer 14

Watch for tactile defensiveness

Question 15

Vestibular input

Answer 15

used to arouse postural extensors and increase or decrease level of alertness

Question 16

Auditory input

Answer 16

• may become dependent on verbal feedback
• May have to change tone, volume, rate, or rhythm if child startles easily
• Consider effects of musical toys

Question 17

Visual input

Answer 17

In impaired in other systems, may use visual to compensate: consider use of contrasts, lights, mirrors.

May require more tactile or vestibular information

Question 18

Characteristics of treatment procedures

Answer 18

Active participation of child
Child directed
Individualized
Purposeful
Need for adaptive response

Question 19

Levels of adaptive response

Answer 19

• Response to passive stimuli
• Hold on and stay
• Alternate contraction/relaxation
• Move independently through the environment in a familiar way.
• Complicated, unfamiliar activity with difficult timing

Question 20

Treatment procedures

Answer 20

Activities should include proprioception, vestibular, and tactile input

Input varies on pt response

Goal is to improve processing and organization, not teaching a specific skill

Question 21

Behavioral considerations for SI

Answer 21

Protect self-esteem

Let child avoid tasks that appear threatening

Provide consistent positive and negative consequences as motivation

identify end product for child

Question 22

Therapist responsibility

Answer 22

Choose skill

Modify the environment correctly.
use sensory systems to increase or decrease alertness.
initially provide visual and auditory assists.
offer limited choices.
Model as needed, and reduce modeling as you progress.
use spontaneous movement.
use real life situation.

Question 23

Learning vs. performance

Answer 23

Learning: retention, carryover, and limited feedback (kids need more than adults tho)

Performance: not permanent, lots of feedback, dependent on environment

Question 24

Alertness or arousal activities: vestibular

Answer 24

rolling
rocking-rocking horse/chair
running 
tricycle
sit and spin
slides
hammocks
scooters

Increase mobility during the day

Question 25

Alterness and arousal: proprioceptive

Answer 25

Chewing
Pressure: top head/shoulders, tapping ball, kicking ball, pushing ball

Increase wt/resistance

Question 26

Use of proprioceptive input for tactile defensiveness

Answer 26

Pressure on top of head-during combing
Brushing
Vibration
Pressure to hands during nail clipping
Kneading activities
Pacifiers