VIDEO
What is sensory integration therapy?
Sensory integration (SI) therapy is a sensory-motor treatment for children with autism. Dr. A. Jean Ayres developed this therapy based on her understanding of neurologic development and autism.
Dr. Ayers recognized that children with autism frequently had sensory difficulties. These difficulties included being either over-or under responsive to sensory stimuli or lacking the ability to integrate the senses. She noted that children with autism may be startled by a slight sound (hypersensitivity) or may totally tune out external stimuli, such as language (under responsive). Dr. Ayers postulated that self-stimulation and stereotypic activities that are characteristic of many autistic children are related to this sensory dysfunction.
She further theorized that the brain has the ability to change or improve its functioning (a property called neural plasticity) and that improvement in brain functioning could be achieved through a therapy directed at appropriately integrating the sensory stimuli. SI therapy, she felt, could result in a reduction in the rates of self-stimulation and self injurious behaviors.
SI therapy, usually administered by occupational, physical, or speech therapists, focuses on desensitizing the child and helping them reorganize sensory information. It is obvious then that before proceeding with any sensory integration therapy, it is important that the therapist observe the child and have a clear understanding of the child’s sensitivities.
SI activities include swinging in a hammock, spinning in circles on a chair, applying brushes to various parts of the body, and engaging in balance activities. These activities are hypothesized to correct the underlying neurological deficits producing the perceptual-motor problems witnessed in many individuals with autism.
In other words, SI therapy is not designed to teach the child new physical or motor activities, but to correct fundamental sensory-motor dysfunctions underlying the disorder in order to increase the individual’s capacity for learning new activities
Critics of Dr. Ayers’ SI therapy state that her therapy is based on an unproven theory of the cause of autism and an unproven theory of treatment. These critics state that the results of current research do not support sensory integration as an effective treatment for children with autism, developmental delays, or mental retardation. Further, according to the limited research to date, there is no proof that SI therapy is responsible for any positive change in an autistic child’s behaviors or skills. In fact, in at least one study, SI therapy was shown to increase self-injurious behaviors.
William’s comment:
We have been told the same. When services are given, it makes no sense to offer both
