Sensory integration is a process during which information is received by the nervous system from the receptors of all senses. Today, more and more children are born with developmental disabilities. Sensory disorders can look like destructive behavior with excessive emotional reactions (whims, hysterics ).
Sensory integration method
Sensory integration theory and practice originate from the 90s. XX century, for the first time the method began to be developed by the Californian occupational therapist E. D. Iris, who worked with children and adults with various neurological disorders. The method is the ordering of the sensations received from the surrounding world through games, using special equipment that affects the audial, visual, kinesthetic, vestibular spheres of the child or adult.
Purpose of the method of sensory integration
Sensory integration for children helps to give the brain the necessary knowledge about the environment and external stimuli affecting a person's sensory systems. games used in sensory therapy give the child new sensory sensations, the balancing takes place and the effective treatment of sensory stimuli by the central nervous system develops.
Pros of the method of sensory integration
Before considering the positive aspects of the method, one must understand the principles of sensory integration:
- Adequate sensory activity is important for the development and learning of the child.
- High motivation of the child, mastering of difficult skills through overcoming difficulties, interest in classes - give a high chance of success with the use of the method.
- The therapist follows the child in his development.
- Careful choice of classes and effects on the sensory system.
- The tasks that the therapist proposes to solve the child should be within his power.
Advantages of the method:
- the integrity of the approach in therapy (all sensory systems are involved);
- there is an establishment of effective contact between parents and the child;
- the child becomes more independent in actions and manipulations with objects;
- suitable for children with severe cognitive and neurophysiological abnormalities;
- in the complex treatment of cerebral palsy without a method can not be dispensed with, helps the maturation of sensory systems.
Disadvantages of the method of sensory integration
The sensory integration specialist at the initial stage leads the child, notes all the changes, but in the future, this is a long process that should be supported by parents, so it is important for them to learn the basics of the technique and continue to deal with the child. Sensory integration - minuses of the method:
- It is not recommended for children with minor intellectual disabilities;
- not always the child learns the desired skill in the process;
- the child, having received knowledge about the interaction with objects, his body must independently connect this all together, learn to draw conclusions, which also does not always work.
Application of sensor integration
"Sensory integration in dialogue" - the book of the German psycho-energy therapist U. Kisling helps to recognize the child's problem, to understand its causes and to correct sensory disturbances in time. Sensory integration is a multifunctional method that solves several problems at once, so it can be successfully applied in the following areas:
- defectology;
- neurophysiology;
- speech therapy;
- psychotherapy;
- neurology;
- rehabilitology;
- pedagogical activity.
The method of sensory integration in speech therapy
Violation of sensory integration in children, manifested speech defects speech therapists and defectologists successfully correct using the method of sensory integration. For this purpose entertaining tablets and lattices with pictures are used. Speech therapist asks the child to find a pair of matches among the pictures, to name out loud, or to find animals in the name of which C, W, and R consonants are encountered. The use of sensory material favorably affects the child and provokes secondary sensory disturbances.
Sensory integration in autism
Sensory stimulation and integration in autism is one of many methods, its effectiveness has not been sufficiently studied when applied in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders. Sensory integration for autistic patients should be performed only after the main causes of the disease have been identified or the effect will be brought to naught. The task of the method of sensory integration is to reduce hyperexcitability and relaxation.
Sensory integration for children with cerebral palsy
The dysfunction of sensory integration in children with cerebral palsy is the immaturity of all sensory systems and the inability to effectively use sensations to respond adequately to incoming sensory signals, so specialists have to cognitive, behavioral and neurophysiological problems. An effective solution is sensory integrative therapy with the use of equipment that allows obtaining maximum sensory responses:
- hammocks;
- suspended rollers;
- inclined boards;
- tunnels;
- pool with balls.
Sensory integration - exercises
The dysfunction of sensory integration of a child is often perceived by parents and loved ones as eccentricities, moods and spoiledness without knowing that their child needs help. Easy dysfunction can be corrected by doing exercises aimed at developing a particular sensory system or several at once, it is important to have a systematic and expert control that there are improvements.
Sensory integration - exercises for the development of olfaction:
- For the exercise, you will need empty plastic containers, wadded disks, aromatic oils, berries and pieces of fruit. Aromo oils are taken taking into account the presence of fruits and berries, for example, orange oil and a piece of orange, lemon oil and a slice of lemon - the flavors should be familiar to the child. On a cotton pad to drip a couple drops of oil and put in a container, do this with each aroma oil, also lay out on the table fruits and berries corresponding to the fragrance is small. The child is blindfolded, put to the table and given a sniff of a container of oil, and then find an edible analogue on the table, focusing on the smell.
- "Help the monkey!". In the glasses put food: pieces of bread, vegetables, fruits and other glasses items (soap, perfume, toothpaste, clay). Children are blindfolded and offer to help the monkey with the help of only a "nose" to determine in which cups the food, and in which inedible items, and determine what is what.
Exercises for the development of vision:
- obvodenie contours of the subject;
- drawing an object (copying);
- mixing paints;
- drawing with finger paints.
Sensory integration and speech are exercises:
- imitation of sounds of insects (a bee, a mosquito);
- flipping the tongue (loudly, quietly);
- smacking the movement of the lips;
- singing a vowel A-A-A-A-A with open mouth, long and M-M-MM-M with tightly closed lips.
Sensory integration - exercises for hearing development:
- percussion of the rhythm (the adult knocks, the child repeats), you can use wooden spoons, markers, plastic bottles;
- singing the melody. Starting with a simple and familiar child, an adult sings a small snippet of a song, the child repeats.
Exercises for the development of kinesthetics:
- game with cereals and bulk products (pasta, beans);
- sand therapy;
- walking barefoot on pebbles, special massage mats.
Equipment for sensory integration
Sensory integration exercises are conducted on special equipment, which should be safe for the child, attractive and bright. Sensory therapy and integration includes the use of the following equipment:
- simulator for cerebellar stimulation (balancing) - is intended for children who have problems with coordination, motor skills;
- tactile paths - different track surfaces develop a sense of balance;
- sensory light toys of different colors - they glow in the dark and contribute to stimulation of the child's auditory, visual and tactile systems.
- Bizybordy - designed by the Montessori system, they are boards with a lot of different buttons, locks, clothes pegs, laces are very attractive for kids, they develop imagination, fine motor skills and ingenuity.
- weighted blankets and pillows for relaxation - help the hyperactive children to calm down and fall asleep, the child feels the effect that he is hugged.
Sensory integration - training
Sensory integration courses are conducted from the Austrian Association and the South-Californian University in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The training consists of 3 modules, lasting 144 hours. The courses are recommended for speech therapists, defectologists, neuropsychologists and psychotherapists. The duration of training is 144 hours, and upon successful completion a certificate of professional development is issued.