Applying Sensory Processing Techniques to Positively Impact Behavior Part 1: Sensory Processing and Dysfunction Amanda Martinage OTR/L, M.Ed 1

Provide an overview of sensory processing Outline sensory processing and dysfunction related to each area Discuss sensory processing as an accepted diagnosis Present assessment tools Implications of sensory processing on behavior Objectives 2

It has implications on behavior and learning Research indicates that sensory based techniques positively influence behavior The Department of Mental Health made the use of sensory strategies mandatory for inpatient psychiatric settings in 2006 Why Is Understanding Sensory Processing Important? 3

How our bodies process and organize information from our senses We use the input to respond appropriately to a particular situation We use input from our senses, movement and gravity What is Sensory Processing? 4

“Sensory modulation is the ability to take in sensory information, decide what is relevant, and to make an appropriate adaptive/behavioral response.” It enables us to screen out meaningless information and respond to important information/stimulation What is Sensory Modulation? 5

Light touch Deep pressure Vibration Hot and cold Pain Keeps us safe Allows us to bond with others and develop socially and emotionally Tactile 6

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Needing MORE input to feel what the “typical” individual feels What is hyposensitivity? Overly sensitive to sensory input Feels more exaggerated version of what the “typical” individual feels What is hypersensitivity? 12

Problems with socialization For self protection Hypersensitive (overly sensitive to touch) Hyposensitivity (seeks out tactile input) Oral hypersensitive Oral hyposensitive What does tactile dysfunction look like? 13

Helps you develop a relationship with the earth Tells us whether or not we’re moving, how quickly and in what direction Sense of safety- knowing our feet are on the ground Allows you to maintain an upright body posture to support the visual system Receptors found in the inner ear Vestibular 14

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Children do not feel secure Poor self esteem Hypersensitive (intolerance for movement) Hyposensitive (increased tolerance for movement) Gravitational insecurity What does vestibular dysfunction look like? 19

Tells us about our own movement or body position Helps us integrate touch and movement sensations Contributes to body awareness, motor control and motor planning Proprioception 20

Receptors found in muscles, joints, ligament, tendons and connective tissue Unconscious sense of body movement Without proprioception you would have to rely on your vision to know what your body was doing Proprioception Continued 21

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ClumsyHypersensitiveHyposensitive –Decreased graded movement –Decreased body awareness, poor motor planning What does proprioceptive dysfunction look like? 28

How our bodies interpret visual input Includes seeing, distinguishing colors, depth perception and visual perception Visual Processing 29

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Hypersensitive (overly sensitive to visual input) Hyposensitive (seeks out visual stimulation) What does visual dysfunction look like? 33

How our bodies interpret auditory input Includes hearing volume, tone, direction of sound, distinguishing difference between sounds Auditory Processing 34

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Hypersensitive (overly sensitive to noise) Hyposensitive (appears to under-register noise from the environment) What does auditory dysfunction look like? 37

Considered the dominant sense in humans Important for survival, can warn us of hazardous substances in the environment Smell and taste are closely linked Smell 38

“Response to certain harmless sensations as if they were dangerous or painful.” Over activation of our protective system Sensory Defensiveness 39

Developed by Patricia Willbarger Bombards the tactile system in an attempt to normalize receptors According to the protocol brushing should be completed every two hours What is brushing? 40

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Using sensory input to complete functional activities It allows us to understand things about ourselves and the world around us without having to test them every time What is Sensory Discrimination? 42

Qualities of sensations: how fast, how hard, how bright Similarities of sensations: rhyming, this looks similar to that Differences between sensations: the difference between similar sounding words, the difference between shapes Sensory Discrimination Allows Us to Perceive 43

Develops with neurological maturation Always takes precedence over sensory defensiveness in day to day situations Sensory Discrimination 44

Allows for upright posture against gravity Balance and bilateral coordination allow you to experiment with new movements and positions What are Postural Responses? 45

Using both sides of your body to complete tasks It can involve using both sides of your body to complete the same action (clapping your hands) It can involve using both sides of your body using alternating movements (climbing stairs) It can involve separate actions to achieve the same goal (stabilizing your paper while writing) Bilateral Coordination 46

Also known as motor planning The ability to plan, sequence and execute motor movements Does not occur at birth, develops over time with practice What is Praxis? 47

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First recognized by Dr. A. Jean Ayres Originally called sensory integration dysfunction When there is sensory processing dysfunction “social, emotional, motor and/or functional problems can result” Sensory Processing Disorders 53

Not accepted as a diagnosis in the ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems) Was a proposed diagnoses for the DSM-5 but not accepted SPD is an accepted diagnosis in Stanley Greenspan’s Diagnostic Manual for Infancy and Early Childhood as Regulation Disorders of Sensory Processing Accepted Diagnosis? 54

Sensory Modulation Disorder Sensory Based Motor Disorder Sensory Discrimination Disorder Proposed Diagnosis for DSM V 55

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Clinical observation and caregiver report Sensory Profile and Sensory Processing Measure Sensory Integration Praxis Test (SIPT) Assessment 57

Ability to attend and focus Ability to achieve and maintain an optimal state of alertness for learning Social skills Behavior Sensory Processing Dysfunction Impacts… 58

Look for Part 2 of this webinar: Applying Sensory Processing Techniques to Positively Impact Behavior Part 2: Techniques to Address Sensory Processing Difficulties How to Address Sensory Processing Difficulties? 59