Sensory Integration

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Sensory Integration – Generating Meaning from the Data
Sensory Integration is the brain’s ability to organize and process information received from the environment through the senses.

Sensory Integration is the cognitive capacity to extract information from the senses of hearing, vision, taste, smell, touch, and motion, and associate that information with prior memories, experiences, and knowledge already in the mind. Sensory Integration is the key to drawing meaning from sensory data.

Sensory Integration – An Interconnected Process
Sensory integration refers to the entire, interconnected process of handling multiple sensations from the environment -- it’s the internal administration of external inputs. Although we think of the senses as separate and distinct, they must work together seamlessly to give us a trustworthy snapshot of the physical world so that we can interact with it in a meaningful way. Proper sensory integration means that we continually comprehend who we are, what we’re doing, and where we’re doing it.

Sensory integration should develop naturally. As children experience new sensations, they develop new cognitive skills, improve their processing abilities, and push the integrated whole to their subconscious mind. As development continues, children are able to process more and more external information without clutter or confusion. At this point, the cognitive base is in place for successful learning.

If sensory integration doesn’t develop naturally or effectively, a child can’t trust what his or her senses are “saying.” Without a dependable mechanism for interpreting the external inputs, the child doesn’t know how to respond appropriately to his or her world. Ultimately, this sensory integration disorder can cause major learning and behavior struggles.

Sensory integration should happen automatically at the subconscious level. For example, if you’re on the phone with a friend while repainting a door in your home, you can listen and respond to your friend, while completing the painting project. You continue to dip the brush in the paint can, wipe the excess paint against the lid, and apply the right amount of pressure during the brush stroke. Your sense of hearing works with the mind to carry on the discussion, while your senses of sight, touch, and movement work with the mind to complete the painting project. For most people, this type of sensory integration works smoothly and effectively. For others, this type of sensory-oriented task is an enduring, often undiagnosed, battle.

Sensory Integration – Crucial for Academic Achievement
At LearningRx, we understand how important strong sensory integration and cognitive skills are to reading, spelling, and other learning abilities. No matter how much instruction and tutoring, without core cognitive skills, students will continually labor with educational achievement.

If your child struggles to read or learn, has difficulty paying attention or staying on task, or generally toils in school, weak underlying skills such as sensory integration may be at the root of the problems. For immediate assessment and long-term solutions, please contact your local LearningRx Center today.