What is Sensory Integration Therapy in Autism?

Many of us unknowingly learn to combine our senses (sound, sight, touch, smell, taste, body in space, balance) in a way to make sense of our surroundings. But there are some children with autism who face trouble doing this learning. Therefore, their play schemes are very less to some habitual manners which they use while talking with others.

Some occupational therapists use sensory surgery integration therapy in autism to help them pay with other children. This therapy involves placing the child in a small room which is specially designed to challenge and stimulate all of the senses. During the working of this session, the therapist performs the task very close to the child to encourage the movement in the room.

Sensory Integration Therapy

Sensory Integration Therapy can make a huge difference just by helping individuals to control their cravings and sensitivities. According to the American occupational therapy association, the remedies that can help kinds are:

• Effective intervention with the involvement of the skilled use of motor and sensory treatment equipment and activities like massages, swinging, and more.
• Adaptations and accommodations like putting earplugs or using a loofa sponge while having a shower or noise-cancelling headphones.
• Sensory diet procedure which involves a daily plan with a menu of supportive sensory strategies, individualized, physical activities, and materials.
• Adaptation and modification of surroundings like the use of white noise machines, lighting, wall paintings, and other equipment to decrease or increase sensory stimulation.
• Education of the family members, individuals, administrators, policymakers, and caregivers for the influence of the sensory functions over occupational performance.

These Four Key Principles are driving Sensory Integration Therapy:

1. The child should be able to, fortunately, meet all the challenges which are presented by the medium of playful activities.
2. The child should adapt their behaviour with the useful and new strategies in response to the challenges shown.
3. The children should participate in these activities as these activities are fun for them.
4. Preferences of the child are being used to initiate therapeutic experiences with these ongoing sessions.

The success of the sensory surgical integration therapy is contentious, and there are very less designed studies on which to base a real assessment that it works or not. Around half of the study reports within the scientific literature states that some success with the sensory integration therapy and a half states that there are no benefits at all. Few of the researchers have said that the neural integration therapy could be more successful for the younger children rather than for, the older child.