What is Sensory Integration?
Understanding Sensory Integration for Kids
As parents, we are always doing the absolute most (and sometimes driving ourselves INSANE) to ensure our children’s healthy development. Sensory Integration is an ESSENTIAL step in this process, but it is one that not many parents (and not many pediatricians) know about.
But what even is it?
A brief moment of neuroscience: Our nervous system is responsible for everything we do, from making sure our heart keeps beating to reading and processing the information you are seeing on your screen right now. The ONLY input into our nervous system is sensation from our body and from the world around us. Sensory Integration is the process by which the brain receives and organizes this information to produce a motor or behavioral response. Every action we take from the simplest to the most complex relies on this process!
What are our Senses?
The senses involved include:
Touch (tactile input from the skin)
Movement and balance (vestibular input from the inner ear)
Body awareness (proprioceptive input from the muscles and joints and interoception from our blood vessels and organs)
Sight (visual input from the eyes)
Sound (auditory input from the ears)
Taste and smell (gustatory and olfactory input)
The brain must integrate and process all this sensory input simultaneously to produce meaningful responses that allow us to effectively interact with the world around us.
Why is Sensory Integration Important for Kids?
So now that we see how Sensory Integration plays a crucial role in a child's development and ability to learn, behave, and perform important life tasks, here are some key ways that it affects our kiddos:
Motor Skills Development: Sensory integration is essential for developing motor skills like sitting, crawling, walking, running, and coordination. It allows kids to plan and execute movements smoothly.
Emotional Regulation: The ability to process sensory input properly helps children regulate their emotions and behavior in response to different situations and environments.
Learning and Attention: Sensory integration impacts a child's ability to focus, pay attention, and take in new information for learning.
Social Participation: Appropriate sensory processing enables kids to interact socially, read non-verbal cues, and engage in play with peers.
Self-Care Skills: Basic self-care tasks like dressing, eating, grooming, and toileting require sensory integration for coordination and body awareness.
Signs of Sensory Integration Challenges
While all children experience Sensory Integration differences at times during development, some may have more persistent challenges. Signs that a child may be struggling with Sensory Integration could include:
Over or under-sensitivity to touch, sounds, smells, or movement
Poor motor coordination or clumsiness
Difficulty focusing or paying attention
Behavioral issues like impulsivity, aggression, or withdrawal
Problems with social skills or play
Unusual reactions to sensory input (e.g., distress from certain textures or sounds)
If you notice these signs in your child, we can help!
Sensory Integration at Play/Ground
At Play/Ground, the neuroscience behind sensory integration informs the vast majority of our therapy. Through our unique, play-based approach in a sensory-rich environment, your child will experience transformative growth. With therapeutic sensory support, you will observe your kiddo:
✔️ Improve their body awareness and motor planning
✔️ Increase their focus, attention, and self-regulation
✔️ Practice of age-appropriate social and play skills
✔️ Grow new confidence and independence with tasks
✔️ Find joy and success in learning, exploring, and facing challenges!
✔️ Have so much fun! Here’s a snippet of a sensory-based therapy session.
Want to get started? We can’t wait to craft a sensory-informed plan to help support your child. Contact us here!
Come play!
