American Library Association Annual Conference June 25, 2011

Background and Contact Info Allison LeBouef, LOTR Pediatric Occupational Therapist Co-owner of Pediatric Therapy and Learning Center, LLC in Lafayette, Louisiana 108 Energy Pkwy, Lafayette, LA (337)

Review of Sensory Integration Theory Developed by A. Jean Ayres, PhD Initially developed from research on children with learning disabilities Later applied to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Review of Senses External Senses Tactile Auditory Visual Taste and Smell Internal Senses Proprioception: muscles and joints Vestibular: movement, balance, and coordination

Types of Tactile Input Alerting Inputs: activates the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)/“fight, flight, or fright” Light touch: feathers tickling sand glue cotton balls various fabric textures

Types of Tactile Input (cont) Calming Inputs: blocks light touch from activating the ANS Deep pressure: hugs weighted blankets massage working putty or play dough sitting in bucket of beans/rice/dry noodles

Types of Proprioceptive Input “Heavy Work”: Use of the muscles and joints during a resistive activity Pushing Pulling Jumping Carrying weighted items Result of Heavy Work Calming Organizing Focusing

Types of Vestibular Input Generally Calming Vertical linear Pogo stick, trampoline Angular Playground Swing Frontal linear Gliders Generally Alerting Rotational Spinning Orbital Merry go round

What Sensory System is disrupted? Tactile System Increased activity level Avoidance of tactile activities washing hands or face gluing or finger painting Fabric textures May act out aggressively if touched May not be aware of when he is touched Poor fine motor skills Difficulty manipulating fasteners such as buttons, zippers, etc May have an awkward pencil grasp Difficulty with scissors

What Sensory System is Disrupted? (cont) Proprioceptive System Decreased muscle tone: may appear floppy, lean on objects when in unsupported sitting Can also be seen as extreme “double jointedness”, also known as joint laxity Decreased body awareness May run into peers May fall out of desk May be clumsy Difficulty grading pressure May break things easily Often described as a “bull in a china cabinet”

What Sensory System Is Disrupted? (cont.) Vestibular System Slumped posture while seated Poor balance Decreased awareness of the non-preferred side of the body (ex: does not support paper while writing) Has difficulty using eyes together (convergence; may express double vision) Avoids movement activities Dislikes riding in the car or becomes carsick Becomes anxious if feet leave the ground Avoids playground equipment Constantly seeking out movement Rocking (on legs of chairs; in the seat; etc) Spinning self

Therapeutic Activities related to Disruptions in the System functions Proprioceptive System Proprioceptive activities are generally regulating for all three systems mentioned **Hint: these are GREAT to do before seated activities! Jumping Mini-trampoline Hop over pillows in modified leap frog Jump down from crate or small chair Pushing/pulling activities Push chairs to edges of the room or place them on the table Play “seated” tug of war Wall push ups: have students push down walls Chair push ups: have students raise themselves off the seat of the chair Attach rope to crate of books with fidgets; have student pull the rope to retrieve items from crate Theraband

Therapeutic Activities related to Disruptions in the System functions Proprioception (cont) Pushing/pulling activities Push chairs to edges of the room or place them on the table Play “seated” tug of war Wall push ups: have students push down walls Chair push ups: have students raise themselves off the seat of the chair Attach rope to crate of books with fidgets; have student pull the rope to retrieve items from crate

Therapeutic Activities related to Disruptions in the System functions (cont) Crawling/Climbing Crawl through play tunnels Crawl through lycra tube (available at most fabric stores) Crawl over pillows of various sizes Make obstacle course with chairs, tables, pillows

Therapeutic Activities Related to Disruptions in the System functions (cont) Tactile System Use of proprioceptive activities Deep pressure Weighted blankets Weighted vests Weighted animals Bean bags Bear Hugs Wilbarger Brushing Protocol

Therapeutic Activities Related to Disruption in the System Functions (cont) Vestibular System Combination of proprioception and vestibular ***Child must ALWAYS be in control of the amount of movement provided Sit-n-spins Disc-o-sit or partially inflated beach balls Theraband

Resources on Sensory Processing Disorders What are Sensory Processing Disorders? Sensory Integration and the Child: 25 th Anniversiary Edition, by A. Jean Ayres The Out of Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder, by Carol Kranowitz and Lucy Jane Miller Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder, by Lucy Jane Miller Sensory Integration Theory and Practice, by Bundy, Lane, and Murray

Resources (cont) Activities to Assist Children with Sensory Processing Disorders The Out of Sync Child Has Fun: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder, by Carol Kranowitz Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration: Therapy for Children with Autism and other Pervasive Developmental Disorders, by Paula Aquilla, Shirley Sutton, and Ellen Yack Answers to Questions Teachers Ask About Sensory Integration: Forms, Checklists, and Practical Tools for Teachers and Parents, by Jane Koomar, Carol Kranowitz, Stacey Szklut, and Lynn Balzer-Martin

Resources (cont) Tools to Assist Children with Sensory Processing Disorders

Resources (cont) Finding a Sensory Integration Therapist Search SI certified therapist