Sensory integration:
Sensory processing is the ability to make sense of the everyday sensations that we experience. Our central nervous system must be able to take in sensory information and decide what to pay attention to and what is not important. The ability to modulate, then process and match an appropriate response to sensory input is an important process to allow us to make sense of and respond to the demands of our environment. “Sensory" pertains to our senses: hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste, and perception of motion, movement and gravity. “Integration” is the process of unifying, or allowing the brain to use the information that the senses take in.
Motor skill development, speech and language and social interaction skills are dependent on efficient sensory processing, understanding of space, sequencing and motor planning abilities. Sensory Processing Disorders ( SPD) develop when sensory integration is not adequately processed. As a result, many activities go wrong, are carried out too slowly or illogically. We see that for instance in children who do not pay enough attention when carrying out certain activities. Sometimes these children become hyperactive, or the reverse, very quiet, anxious, withdrawn or dreamy.
