OT Corner: Summing Up Sensory Integration
By Amy Wagenfeld, Ph.D, OTR/L
Originally printed in February, 2006


Having spent the past few months talking about sensory integration and 
how it’s therapeutic applications may help children, I though it best 
to write one final column dedicated to wrapping it all up.  I will end 
this month by providing you some sensory-based activities that you might 
want to do with your children.  These activities are in no way a 
substitute for SI therapy or formal Occupational Therapy services, 
but instead are some fun things to do that have their roots in OT and 
of course, play.  As always, check with your therapist and/or healthcare 
provider before introducing any of these activities to your children.

Before I get to the wrap up, I mentioned that we would talk about learning 
disabilities and SI, so here is the very short version.  If you would like 
to have me write more on this topic, please let me know.  Like PDD and 
ADD/ADHD, treating learning disabilities (LD) through sensory integration 
treatment focuses on developing enhanced and optimal responses to sensory 
input.  It is foundational groundwork, so to speak.  A therapist might 
work with a child to decrease sensory defensiveness prior to having the 
child go on to participate in academic tasks.  More often than not, if 
receiving specialized sensory integration services, a child with LD 
will be provided with a sensory diet to be implemented in the classroom 
and at home.

As we have talked about, sensory integration therapy has been receiving 
a lot of press lately.  This is great, as the information needs to be 
shared.  On the other hand, claims may be exaggerated, so the true meaning 
or potentials gets distorted.  In any event, sensory integration therapy 
does warrant further research.  Although there are many OT practices 
around, if sensory integration is an approach you are considering, be 
sure to make sure that the therapists are trained to administer the SIPT, 
and of course, are experienced in carrying out SI therapy.

Okay, enough talking; time for some action-based activities!  I will break 
down the activities into three categories, tactile (touch), proprioception-
kinesthesia (body position in space), and vestibular (rotary movements).  
Before introducing ANY of these SUPERVISED activities, talk with your health 
care provider and therapist if your child(ren) receive services.  NEVER 
force any of these activities onto your children.  If they do not appeal, 
leave it, and perhaps try again in a few days, weeks, or months.  Further, 
if your child(ren) appears frightened, scared, dizzy, or demonstrates some 
other adverse reaction, STOP AT ONCE, and jot down a couple of notes that 
to share with your therapist or health care provider.  Remember, your 
observations are really important and valuable!

Tactile
Put out trays of sand, salt, Jell-O crystals and so on, and invite the 
kids to draw or write away!
Pop bubble plastic with fingers… or have the kids jump on it with bare 
feet.  Tape it to the floor first - it slips!
Draw with sidewalk chalk on the driveway or sidewalk.
Cover an inflated balloon with shaving cream and have the kids shave 
it with a popsicle stick.
Hunt for cool items in containers of rice, pasta, Easter grass, 
Styrofoam popcorn, and so on.

Vestibular
Have fun with a Sit and Spin toy.
Swing on swings - tire swings, rocker swings, gliders, etc.

Proprioception
Climb on playground equipment.
Push boxes around and about a linoleum, wood or tile floor… carpet 
might be fun though…
Push chairs up to the table.
Do wall push ups.
Knead dough.  This is also a good tactile activity.
Play games such as tag, angels in the snow, and Simon Says.

These are a just a few activities - perhaps we should have a column 
devoted to YOUR sensory activities… if you would like to share, please 
feel free to e-mail me childrenstherapyconnections@verizon.net.

AND - before I go, a couple of websites that Renée brought to my 
attention that are quite good!

http://www.comeunity.com/disability/sensory_integration/carol-kranowitz.html

http://www.sensoryint.com/faq.html

See you next month…