Sensory Integration

Sometimes the sensory system is underdeveloped in children, and other times after a neurological illness or injury, the sensory system is not properly regulated. In almost all cases, sensory processing disorders impact functioning and block our clients from living their best life.

Sometimes sensory processing disorders cause light sensitivity and can affect our sense of smell, hearing, movement, and balance. Sensations can become more pronounced and overwhelming, or in other cases, sensations can be suppressed and underactive.

In both of these situations, it inhibits us from operating our bodies optimally. Our therapists are trained to recognize these sensory processing deficits and have multiple ways of treating them. Treatment may look like gentle and gradual exposure therapy to train the body and mind to tolerate this sensory input so you can live your best life. This can be done in the clinic, or for some, in difficult environments that our clients typically avoid.

Our therapists are trained to provide a “just right challenge” that will help clients build on successful interactions in challenging environments. If clients need help in navigating the community, therapists may use gradual desensitization approaches to help our clients regain independence and stop avoiding environmental stressors.

Sensory integration is a part of everyday life and not just a part of play-based therapy. It is something that our therapists incorporate every day no matter what the baseline diagnosis is.

Physical exercise, sensory integration techniques, whole brain exercise, and reflex integration all are helpful tools our therapists may use to help clients with Sensory Integration Dysfunction.