Children may have underlying sensory, cognitive, or physical issues that impede his/her ability to complete skills needed for everyday tasks.  An occupational therapist:

• Identifies the underlying issues impeding function
• Develops a plan to help a child attain skills
• Adapts activities to current level of function
• Adapts the environment to help a child attain success in the activities of everyday life.

For more information on what an occupational therapist's role may be with specific disorders,  visit the consumer section at the American Occupational Therapy Association's website:  http://www.aota.org/Consumers.aspx

Sensory integration is defined as the organization of sensory input for use.  The "use" may be a perception of the body or the world, an adaptive response, a learning process, or the development of some neural function.  Through sensory integration, the many parts of the nervous system work together so that the person can interact with the environment effectively and experience appropriate satisfaction. ( Sensory Integration and the Child, A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D.)

We receive information from the world around us through our senses (taste, sight, hearing, touch, smell, movement, gravity, and position).  This information helps our bodies respond in a purposeful manner when faced with a situation or experience.
 
Sensory integrative dysfunction is defined as an irregularity or disorder in brain function that makes it difficult to integrate sensory input.  Sensory integrative dysfunctions are the basis for many, but not all, learning disorders. (Sensory Integration and the Child, A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D.)

An occupational therapist with advanced training is able to assess a child to find disruptions or irregularities in the way a child perceives information from his/her body and the world in the following areas:

• Vestibular (Gravity, Head Movement, and Balance)
• Proprioceptive (Position and Movement)
• Tactile (Touch)
• Visual  (Sight)
• Auditory (Sound)
• Gustatory (Taste)
• Olfactory (Smell)

A child may have an overly sensitive response to input from one or more of the areas listed above.  This child may:

• Avoid playground activities
• Avoid social situations
• Seem overly fearful to situations
• Have difficulty dealing with activities of daily living (e.g. brushing teeth, wearing clothing, bathing, and eating)

A child may have an under sensitive response to input from one or more of the areas listed above.  This child may:

• Fall or bump into objects frequently
• Seem over-active or hyper
• Appear clumsy or awkward when moving
• Have less strength
• Have difficulty staying upright in a chair
• Have poor safety awareness

The list provided above is a small list of characteristics a child that has difficulty processing sensory input may have.  If you have concerns or questions about your child, please contact an occupational therapist with advanced training in sensory integration, and schedule an evaluation.