Sensory Integration and Autism
The term “Autism” refers to children and adults who have a dysfunctional sensory system. It is important for people, children and adults alike, to be able to have sensory integration to a much larger degree than the typical individual. Everyone is born with the five senses. Motor function develops as the child grows. With autism, the senses are stunted and the motor functions do not progress at an age appropriate rate. In extreme cases it does not develop at all. That is why additional sensory integration is required to help those afflicted with autism to function as normally as possible.
Sensory Integration – Is it Needed?
The senses that are most commonly afflicted by autism are the tactile (the ability to recognize texture and touch), vestibules (the inner ear structure that senses movement and turns your head toward it and also controls eye movement and blinking) and proprioceptive (the body’s ability to sense its own movement and positioning). These senses are developed in the womb and normally continue developing throughout life. They assist a person with everyday life and are what alerts us to danger. Cases can be very mild, meaning that the person afflicted does not exhibit noticeable symptoms. Other cases are extremely severe and the people afflicted cannot function on their own without constant supervision. They lack the sensory skills necessary to function on an everyday level, which is where additional sensory integration becomes important. It is astounding to find that one out of every one hundred and seventy five children is diagnosed with autism, and many studies have this percentage as even more prevalent than this. Although tests for diagnosis for autism are done when the child is two years old, signs of autism can be detected in babies well before their second birthday.
Sensory Integration and Development
If the child is behind on their development and they are not displaying the age appropriate behavior, such as smiling, cooing, expressing frustration through crying or if the child keeps mainly to him or herself and becomes withdrawn or even self-abusive when approached, it is a cause for concern. It should be discussed with the child’s doctor. Other symptoms would be rocking or spinning, obsessing over one item and concentrating on one thing for extended periods of time. Medical researchers have made many advancements in the treatment of autism. One treatment that has shown the greatest progress is sensory integration. Sensory integration is a technique that introduces sensory skills that the autistic person lacks. It is a way to stimulate their brain by the surroundings that they are in. Sensory integration techniques such as a touch with a bit of pressure can actually assist the afflicted person to concentrate to a certain degree. Sensory integration can teach the autistic to recognize the senses that they need to function on a daily basis.
