The individual's development of reactions to stimuli received from the environment that cause disruption of social or physical interaction is called "sensory sensitivity".
There are developmental stages that each child is expected to follow according to their age group. The fact that these steps are excessively rapid in the development process or that their duration is prolonged is a signal for experts.
A child or baby's speech delay, walking for 15-18 months, skipping crawling, sensitivity to touches, clothes, food, sounds, movements. Overreacting or being overly unresponsive are situations that need to be followed in detail.
For example, children with a sensitive sense of touch; They may react excessively and excessively to different things that touch their bodies. They learn that any touch creates discomfort. This situation prevents the child from exploring the environment safely.
We have seven senses that enable us to perceive stimuli from the environment and cause us to respond to these stimuli.
These are the senses from which information comes;
Taste, Touch (Tactile), Hearing, Smell, Sight; The other two can be expressed as balance, movement (vestibular), muscle and joint sense (proprioception).
Preschool children (3-5 years old) How to Understand That Sensory Integration Therapy is Needed?
1. Says "I can't do it" or "I can't do it" to age-appropriate games or movements
2. Poor muscle tone, frail, softness
3. Clumsy, constantly falls/trips
4. He bumps into people or furniture, cannot perceive his body's location in space and his surroundings
5. Breaks toys or crayons
6. Doesn't like jumping, swinging or being swept off his feet
7. Avoid painting, doing puzzles, or cutting with scissors dislikes
8. Has difficulty learning languages
9. He is hyperactive, cannot calm down, changes movements very quickly
10. Distraction or excessive attention that prevents the transition to the new task
11. Doesn't like baths or haircuts
12. Overreacts to touch, taste, sounds or smells.
13. Doesn't want to play in playgrounds
14. Sitting or sleeping problems
15. When learning new things, he/she needs to repeat more than other children
Examples of Sensory Integration Activities You Can Do at Home
1. Doing somersaults on soft surfaces with a small pilates ball
2. Swinging in the sheets
3. Jumping on the bed
4. Rotating around itself and around you
5. Don't play games in this position while standing face down like a cat with a soft ball under your belly
6. Playing with vibrating toys
7. Making massages with olive oil or baby oil by applying gentle pressure to the whole body
8. Touching different surfaces with hands and feet (Ex: Warm water, cold water, cotton, hard objects, grass, sand) Walking barefoot at home
9. Games to find the object hidden in your clothes
10. Tulle, blanket, etc. thrown over it. trying to get out of it
11. Playing mutual ball throwing, throwing the object in your hand to the target
12. Jumping from a high ground (over the bed, etc.) to a soft ground (cushion, quilt, pillow, etc.)
13. Pushing and pulling objects.
14. Knocking the balloon hanging in the air with your feet while lying on your back on the ground
15. Pushing the wall with your feet while lying on your back on the floor
16. While lying on your back on a Pilates ball, do not try to sit or turn over
17. Encouraging the child to lift heavy objects (heavy but soft toys that are large enough for young children to grasp) and play with them
18. Don't have a pillow fight
19. Don't be sandwiched between pillows and quilts
20. Practice playing with shaving foam, play dough, finger paint (hands+feet)
21. Painting hard and soft surfaces (smooth, jagged, etc.)
22. Trying to move the balloon to the other end of the room with a stick that is not too long
23. Do not sit in a box filled with rice and bulgur and play games in it.
24. Crawling, turning, lying down on a furry/different surface (carpet, plush, etc.)
25. Applying cream/lotion to opposite hands
26. Plucking grass, burying objects in the ground.
27. Climbing
What is the treatment for children with sensory integration deficiency?
First of all, physiotherapists or occupational therapists who are experts and trained in sensory integration therapy observe the child in the environment where sensory integration therapy will be applied to detect the event.
Immediately after the sensitivity detection is observed. Then, use a product suitable for the needs of the child or baby. API program is planned and implemented.
The aim of the treatment is to transfer the sensory strategies gained in therapy to the environments where the child is active in his daily life. Therefore, it is important that there is good and effective communication between the sensory integration therapist and the child's parents/caregivers and teachers.
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