Transcript OT/Alert Program Orientation 2008

Whole Body Learning
Krisanne Lewis MOTR/L
What is Sensory Integration?
Perception of
Sensory input
CNS processing
feedback
Production of output
(action)
What are the sensory systems?
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Vision
Hearing
Taste
Touch
Smell
Proprioception
Vestibular system
Proprioception
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A person’s sense of position and
movement in relationship to him/herself
Detected through joint receptors
Provides information
about where a body part
is and how it is moving
example?
Relevance?
Vestibular processing
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A person’s sense of movement and
balance in relationship to space
Detected through the inner ear
Provides info about
speed and direction
of movement
Example?
Relevance?
How does
sensory
processing
affect a child?
What are
“normal” and
“abnormal”
self-regulation
behaviors?
Special considerations for ASD
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Typically show sensory processing differences
(tactile and auditory defensiveness most
prevalent)
Children with ASD exhibit differences in
neurotransmitters, brain structure, and limbic
system structure
Typically better visual learners (visual cues)
Frequently have difficulty with ideation (what to
do with novel materials or situations)
Special Considerations, cont…
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“after controlling for cognitive/IQ differences, motor
planning deficits may be more severe in children
with Asperger’s than autism” (1, 2)
Difficulty with imitation (poor tactile, vestibular,
and/or proprioceptive processing)
Self-stim behaviors (rocking, hand flapping, etc.)
possible strategy to modulate arousal
Difficulty modulating sensory
input…behavior/responses are unpredictable
There are no standardized SI assessments for
children with ASD (SIPT?)
Research on SI with ASD
Ayres & Tickle, 1980: increased language,
environmental awareness, social behavior &
decreased self-stim behavior (3)
 Case-Smith & Bryan, 1999: increased goal
directed behavior (4)
 Linderman & Stewart, 1999: increased social
interaction, decreased disruptive behavior (5)
 Field et.al, 1997: massage decreased
stereotypical behavior, aversion to touch, offtask behavior
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ASD, but not SI
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Lining up/stacking toys
Behaviors involving feces
Tantrums related to change
Spinning objects
Poor social language (pragmatic speech)
Obsessions
Poor sleep patterns
When/how to provide sensory input
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BEFORE a behavior occurs
ABC (behavior chain)
Child as an active participant
 Child “does”…do not “do to”
 Child makes choices
Habituation: no longer than 10 minutes
for modulation
Learning: must have increased oxygen input for
12 minutes
Provide functional activities
Ways to teach self-regulation
behaviors
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Alert Program:
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Body as an engine (speedometers)
Tigger, Pooh, Eeyore
5 point scale
Thermometer
Goal: independent self-regulation and selfmonitoring
Sensory Levels
high
Just right
low
Sensory Diet
Just as a child needs healthy foods grow
and develop, he needs “healthy” levels of
sensory input to learn, grow, and develop
What are some examples of
calming sensory input?
What are some examples of
alerting sensory input?
What are some examples of
“organizing” sensory input?
Questions/comments?