Sensory Stimulation FAQs
The Sensory Integration and Development program began in Skills Adult Training Facilities in East Berlin and State College. In 2008, Skills received a grant from Lee Initiatives Health & Wellness Endowment to start a sensory program and purchase equipment to make a sensory environment at Skills Cresson and Richland Adult Training Services.
Why are we interested in sensory stimulation and integration?
Everyone needs movement and sensory experiences to learn. People love to move and use sensations from exploring to learn about their bodies and what is around them. When people cannot explore and experience, normal development and learning are hindered. Understanding the need for sensory stimulation for normal development to occur helps us to understand why those with developmental disabilities have difficulty with sensory-motor skills and social/emotional interactions with others.
What is sensory information?
Sensory information is information that comes into the brain from all the senses including vision, hearing, touch, taste, smell and two others that we often don’t think about the vestibular, or movement system, and proprioceptive system which gives information from our muscles and joints. The inner ear senses vestibular input. These last two systems tell our brain where our body is in space and what is and is not a part of our body.
What are the most important sensations?
The tactile (touch), vestibular and proprioceptive systems together are the basic sensory systems that allow us to establish a foundation of who we are and what is around us. If there is a problem with the brain getting and using input from these three basic systems, information from the other senses cannot be interpreted and used.
How do our brains use sensory information?
People with normally developed sensory and motor systems constantly take in information from their bodies and the outside environment. As we are bombarded by sensory information all day, our brain acts as a filter to help us to pay attention to what is important. This allows us to make sense of the world and to respond to it appropriately.
How does the brain act as a filter?
Those with typically developed sensory systems can carry on a conversation at work with another person even though there may be fire sirens outside and a heater running in the background. Our brains automatically filter out these other noises so that we can listen and talk. We can also tune out the unimportant auditory input in different situations such as the grocery store, the mall, or at home. Those with sensory problems may not be able to filter out those extra noises. Because they pay attention to the irrelevant sounds, they are unable to focus on a conversation under those conditions, or they may follow a conversation with someone at home but be too distractible in other situations.
How do we know if sensory systems are working properly?
Sensory function is reflected by an individual’s behavior. We cannot directly see or measure how someone responds to sensory input. Looking at behavioral responses can help to tell us how well an individual is using sensory information and if there are problems with sensory processing.
What kinds of behaviors or problems would you see if there is a problem?
A sensory-processing problem can show up in many different ways. It depends on which sensory systems are not working well and on the severity of the problem. There may be problems with one or more of the senses. The first step in looking at sensory processing is to know how an individual is using and responding to sensory input throughout the day.
Careful observation and knowing an individual’s responses are critical. The AVS Sensory Checklist has been developed to gather this information. The Checklist can help to identify areas of concern that may be affecting daily life activities. From the identified areas of concern, specific and targeted activities can be selected for an individual’s benefit.
How does a problem with sensory processing make life more difficult?
For the individuals with sensory processing problems, any task becomes more difficult, even very simple tasks can become very challenging and stressful. Think about how your interaction with others would be changed if you felt pain or a threat every time you were touched. This is what happens to some individuals who do not have normal sensory processing and have a defensive reaction to normal touching.
What other ways can problems with sensory processing affect an individual?
Individuals show different behaviors when they have sensory-processing problems. Here is another example:
Often times we see individuals who seem to be distracted by everything that happens in a room. They are not able to filter out what is happening around them in order to stay focused on a task. For instaqnce, if there is a window in the room the individual may be distracted by seeing people outside. Or if there is a sudden loud noise, the individual may be so distracted by the noise that it takes a long while to again focus on the task at hand. Doing a familiar task at home, can be very different from trying to do the same task at work where the sensory environment is different.
How do people usually use sensory information through their day?
Because our brains automatically filter sensory input that we don’t need, it is hard for us to imagine how much a sensory-processing problem can impact daily activities.
All of us have sensory motor preferences that we use to keep us in an alert, active state throughout the day so that we can best respond in our day to day activities. We automatically and unconsciously do something to help us to focus. If we find ourselves falling asleep at work, we may find ourselves swinging our leg, fidgeting with a pencil or moving around in our chair to keep alert. We do these things unconsciously because our brains automatically want to get the sensory input our bodies need. We may take off or put on clothing to keep us comfortable so that we can pay attention to what we are doing. Have you noticed how hard it is to focus on what you are doing if you are extremely cold or extremely hot and uncomfortable?
Even a sensory system that functions normally can become overly aroused. When our nervous systems are in a high state of arousal as discussed in the paragraph above, we automatically engage in activities to help bring us back to a calmer state. For example, at the end of a stressful day we can do things to relax ourselves and calm down. Perhaps we turn on music that we enjoy, lie down in a quiet room or go out for a run.
For individuals with disabilities and certain types of sensory disorders, their sensory systems may also become under-aroused or over-aroused. However, they do not have the ability to change their own environments. They depend on us to recognize their difficulties so that we can develop strategies to help them stay in a calm, alert state so that they can better accomplish tasks and enjoy what they are doing.
How can we best provide sensory stimulation?
For those individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities who do not have specific sensory disorders, providing an enriched sensory environment for them adds to their quality of life and enjoyment. Every environment is multisensory. We need to develop an awareness of the environment and create structure to best benefit the individual. There are lots of ways to set up a room and select activities that are beneficial. By utilizing the results of the assessments of our individuals we will be able to determine the best set up for our sensory room and program rooms.
If an individual has severe problems with sensory processing, careful evaluation by a therapist is necessary so that appropriate, controlled sensory input can be provided that is therapeutic for the individual. It is important to know that we cannot just bombard individuals with sensory stimulation and expect therapeutic benefits.
Many resources are available to help us to understand why it is so hard for individuals with sensory-processing disorders to function and why we often see behavioral problems or a lack of interest in activities as a result.
By utilizing sensory orientation, Skills can build in techniques that can help an individual throughout his or her day. Even small changes in the environment and the sensory experiences that Skills offers individuals can make a big difference in their lives.
