Sensory Integration Disorder

Sensory Integration Disorder – Cognitive Dysfunction
Sensory Integration Disorder (also known as “Sensory Integration Dysfunction” or “SID”) is the inability of the brain to correctly organize and process information captured by the senses.

The central nervous system gathers sensory information from the environment. This information is processed by the brain to generate a behavioral and/or motor response, which results in appropriate feedback and the capture of additional sensory information from the environment. If the incoming information is collected, transferred or processed incorrectly, the result is a dysfunctional behavioral/motor response and/or inaccurate feedback. If this pattern continues over any period of time, the input/output process becomes a form of cognitive dysfunction known as “Sensory Integration Disorder.” The ultimate consequence of SID is a lifetime of learning and/or behavioral difficulties.

Sensory Integration Disorder – Many Ways to Disorganization
Sensory Integration Disorder can manifest itself in many ways. Sometimes SID is part of severe disabilities such as autism or cerebral palsy. In other cases, SID stands alone as a less severe behavioral dysfunction or as part of moderate attention weaknesses like ADD or ADHD.

On the external stimulus side, children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction experience either hypersensitive or hyposensitive symptoms. For instance, the hypersensitive child avoids all types of touch. Not only will the hypersensitive student shun sports, experiences, and relationships, he or she may also avoid normal recreation such as walking or outdoor exposure, such as wind. The hyposensitive child, on the other hand, needs an abundance of touch. Touch is a stimulant, so the hyposensitive student loves relational and experiential contact. In fact, the hyposensitive child may actually take falls and crash into things for the stimulant effect.

On the internal processing side, children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction may exhibit auditory processing or visual processing issues. For example, if a child hears the words but struggles with the meaning, he or she may have an auditory processing disorder. Similarly, if a child can see an image, but can’t describe it in words or process its context, he or she may have a visual processing disorder. In both cases, the senses are capturing the external information, but the internal cognitive mechanisms aren’t processing the information correctly.

Sensory Integration Disorder – One Way to Success
The common denominator across the wide range of sensory integration disorders is cognitive weakness. The great news is that cognitive weaknesses are now identifiable and treatable. No, there’s no magic pill or medical procedure, but with proper assessment and proper training, cognitive weaknesses such as Sensory Integration Disorder can be tackled and conquered in dramatic ways.

At LearningRx, we understand Sensory Integration Dysfunction. We’ve developed simple skills testing that will identify specific cognitive weaknesses contributing to SID and help us plan an effective strategy for enhanced learning capacity. Based on years of clinical and scientific research, we offer customized training programs that build attention skills, auditory processing, visual processing, memory skills, processing speed, logic, reasoning, and comprehension. When you’re ready to tackle Sensory Integration Disorder for you or your child, please contact a LearningRx Center near you. We’re ready to help -- for a lifetime!

Contact LearningRx for an Assessment Today!

Get the specific answers you need. Call one of our learning experts today.
Find a LearningRx Center

Add Sensory Integration Disorder to My Yahoo!

Add Sensory Integration Disorder to My MSN

Add Sensory Integration Disorder to NewsGator Online

Add Sensory Integration Disorder to Bloglines

XML Feed: Sensory Integration Disorder