Sensory Integration Therapy

1. Sensory Integration Therapy Helping Your Child Navigate Their Sensory World with Con?dence Doesyourchildmeltdownoverclothingtags,covertheirearsinloudenvironments, orseemtoconstantlyseekintensephysicalinput?Doeverydayactivitieslike haircuts,teethbrushing,orgroceryshoppingbecomeoverwhelmingexperiencesfor yourfamily?Thesebehaviorsoftenindicatesensoryprocessingdi?erencesthatcan signi?cantlyimpactachild’sdailylife,butthereise?ectivehelpavailable. AtSpeech & OccupationalTherapyofNorthTexas,we’vebeenprovidingsensorybased therapyforover20years,helpingchildrenunderstandandregulatetheirsensory experiencessotheycanparticipatemorefullyandcomfortablyindailyactivities. Understanding Sensory Integration and Processing Sensoryintegrationistheneurologicalprocessbywhichourbrainreceives,organizes, andrespondstosensoryinformationfromourenvironmentandourownbodies.This complexsystemincludesnotjustthe?vesensesmostpeopleknow(sight,sound, smell,taste,touch),butalso: Vestibularsystem:Oursenseofmovementandbalance Proprioceptivesystem:Ourawarenessofwhereourbodyisinspace Interoceptivesystem:Ourawarenessofinternalbodysignals(hunger,thirst,need forbathroom)

2. Whensensoryintegrationworkssmoothly,childrencanfocusonlearning,playing,andWhensensoryintegrationworkssmoothly,childrencanfocusonlearning,playing,and interactingwithoutbeingoverwhelmedordistractedbysensoryinput.However,when thissystemisn’tworkingoptimally,childrenmaystrugglewithdailyactivitiesthat requireprocessingmultiplesensoryinputssimultaneously. Common Signs of Sensory Processing Dif?culties Over-Responsivity (Sensory Defensiveness) Childrenwhoareover-responsivetosensoryinputmay: Tactiledefensiveness:Avoidmessyplay,refusecertainclothingtextures,resist hairbrushingornailcutting Auditorysensitivity:Coverearsinloudenvironments,becomeupsetbysudden sounds,struggleto?lterbackgroundnoise Visualsensitivity:Squintoravoidbrightlights,becomeoverwhelmedinvisually busyenvironments Movementsensitivity:Fearplaygroundequipment,avoidelevatorsorescalators, becomecarsickeasily Oralsensitivity:Refusecertainfoodtextures,gageasily,avoidteethbrushing Impactondailylife:Thesechildrenoftenappearanxious,avoidant,orcontrollingas theytrytomanageoverwhelmingsensoryexperiences. Under-Responsivity (Sensory Seeking) Childrenwhoareunder-responsivetosensoryinputmay: Seekintensetouch:Crashintofurniture,enjoybearhugs,maynotnoticewhen touchedlightly Cravemovement:Constantlymoving,spinning,jumping,orrocking Seekloudsounds:Makenoise,turnvolumeuphigh,maynotrespondtotheir namebeingcalled Visualseeking:Stareatlights,enjoyspinningobjects,maybefascinatedbyvisual patterns Oralseeking:Chewonclothing,pencils,orinappropriateobjects Impactondailylife:Thesechildrenmayappearhyperactive,aggressive,orinattentive

3. astheyseekthesensoryinputtheirnervoussystemcraves. Mixed or Fluctuating Responses Manychildrenshowacombinationofover-andunder-responsivity,ortheirresponses mayvaryby: Timeofdayorenergylevel Environmentalfactors(noise,lighting,crowdlevel) Emotionalstate(stressed,tired,excited) Typesofsensoryinput(mayseekproprioceptiveinputwhileavoidingtactileinput) Sensory-Based Motor Dif?culties Somechildrenhaveadequatesensoryprocessingbutstrugglewith: Dyspraxia:Di?cultyplanningandexecutingnewmotortasks Posturalcontrol:Poorcorestrengthandbalancea?ectingseatedactivities Bilateralcoordination:Troubleusingbothsidesofthebodytogethere?ectively Motorplanning:Challengeslearningnewphysicalskillsoradaptingtochanges Our Comprehensive Sensory Integration Assessment Detailed Sensory History Ourevaluationbeginswithunderstandingyourchild’ssensorypro?le: Dailyroutinechallenges:Speci?csituationsthataredi?cultforyourchild Environmentalfactors:Settingswhereyourchildthrivesversusstruggles Familyobservations:Yourinsightsaboutyourchild’ssensorypreferencesand aversions Currentcopingstrategies:Whatcurrentlyhelpsorhindersyourchild’ssuccess Sensory Assessments Weusesensoryevaluationtoolsincluding: SensoryPro?le:Evaluatingsensoryprocessingacrosshome,school,and communitysettings

4. Clinicalobservations:StructuredactivitiesthatrevealhowyourchildprocessesClinicalobservations:Structuredactivitiesthatrevealhowyourchildprocesses andrespondstosensoryinput Posturalandmovementassessments:Understandingyourchild’smotorcontrol andcoordinationabilities Environmental and Functional Analysis Weobservehowsensoryprocessinga?ects: Academicskillperformance:Attention,handwriting,directionsfollowing Socialinteractions:Communicationandinteractionwithfamilyandtherapist Self-careskills:Dressing,hygiene,feedingindependence Playandleisure:Participationinage-appropriateactivities Familyroutines:Impactondailyactivitiesandfamilydynamics Sensory Integration Treatment Classic Sensory Integration Therapy BasedonDr.A.JeanAyres’ originalresearch,thisapproachuses: Sensory-richactivities:Providingcontrolledsensoryexperiencesthatchallenge andorganizethenervoussystem Child-directedexploration:Followingyourchild’sleadwhileprovidingtherapeutic guidance Just-rightchallenge:Activitiesthatarechallengingenoughtopromoteneural changebutachievableenoughtomaintainengagement Multi-sensoryexperiences:Combiningtactile,vestibular,andproprioceptiveinput formaximumtherapeuticbene?t Environmental Modi?cations and Adaptations Wehelpfamiliescreatesensory-supportiveenvironments: Homemodi?cations:Lighting,sound,texture,andorganizationchangesthat supportyourchild Communitystrategies:Preparingforchallengingenvironmentslikerestaurants, stores,orevents Sensorytoolsandequipment:Recommendingspeci?cproductsthatsupport regulation

5. Self-Regulation Strategies Teachingchildrentounderstandandmanagetheirsensoryneeds: Sensoryawareness:Helpingchildrenrecognizetheirsensorypreferencesand triggers Copingstrategies:Teachingspeci?ctechniquesformanagingsensoryoverloador seekinginput Sensorydiets:Individualizedactivitiesandstrategiesthroughoutthedayto maintainoptimalarousal Sensory-Motor Skill Development Addressingmotorchallengesthatstemfromsensoryprocessingdi?culties: Posturalcontroltraining:Buildingcorestrengthandstabilityforseatedactivities Bilateralcoordination:Developingsmoothuseofbothsidesofthebody Motorplanningactivities:Breakingdowncomplextasksintomanageable components Finemotorintegration:Combiningsensoryawarenesswithprecisehand movements What to Expect: From First Visit to Progress Your First Visit – Sensory Assessment Before you arrive: Completedetailedsensoryhistoryquestionnairesabouthome,school,and communitybehaviors Gatheranypreviousevaluationsfromschools,doctors,orothertherapists Preparealistofyourbiggestconcernsandgoalsforyourchild During the evaluation (typically 1 hour): Parentinterview:Discussionofsensorypatterns,dailychallenges,andfamily priorities Clinicalobservations:Structuredactivitiestoobservesensoryresponsesand motorskills

6. Environmentalassessment:DiscussionofsettingswhereyourchildsucceedsorEnvironmentalassessment:Discussionofsettingswhereyourchildsucceedsor struggles Functionalactivityanalysis:Understandinghowsensoryprocessinga?ectsdaily tasks After the evaluation: Writtenreportwithinoneweek Treatmentplandevelopmentwithprioritizedgoalsandstrategies Initialsensorystrategiestobeginsupportingyourchildathomeimmediately Regular Sensory Based Therapy Sessions Session structure (typically 45-60 minutes): Sensorypreparation:Activitiestoprepareyourchild’snervoussystemforlearning Motorskillintegration:Combiningsensoryinputwithpurposefulmovement activities Self-regulationpractice:Teachingandpracticingcopingstrategiesandsensory awareness Parentcoaching:Real-timeguidanceonsupportingsensoryneedsathome What your child will experience: Fun,play-basedactivitiesthatprovidetherapeuticsensoryinput Respectfortheirsensorypreferenceswhilegentleexpansionofcomfortzones Opportunitiestopracticeself-regulationandcopingstrategies Success-orientedchallengesthatbuildcon?denceandcompetence Asafe,predictableenvironmentdesignedtosupportsensoryprocessing Measuring Sensory Integration Progress How we track improvement: Behavioralobservations:Documentationofresponsestosensoryexperiencesover time Functionalskilldevelopment:Measuringimprovementsindailyactivitiesa?ected bysensoryprocessing Self-regulationabilities:Trackingyourchild’sabilitytomanagesensorychallenges independently Environmentalparticipation:Assessingcomfortandsuccessinpreviously

7. challengingsettings Familyqualityoflife:Evaluatingreducedstressandincreasedparticipationin familyactivities What progress looks like: Increasedtoleranceforpreviouslyavoidedsensoryexperiences Betterself-regulationduringchallengingsituations Improvedparticipationindailyactivitiesandroutines Enhancedmotorskillsandcoordination Greaterindependenceinmanagingsensoryneeds Reducedfamilystressaroundsensory-challengingactivities Specialized Approaches for Different Needs Autism Spectrum Disorders Childrenwithautismoftenhavecomplexsensorypro?lesrequiring: Individualsensorypreferences:Understandinguniquepatternsofseekingand avoiding Communicationadaptations:Usingvisualsupportsandclearexpectationsduring therapy Routineandpredictability:Structuredsessionsthathonorneedforsameness whilepromotinggrowth Socialsensorychallenges:Addressinghowsensoryprocessinga?ectspeer interactions ADHD and Attention Challenges Sensoryprocessingdi?erencesoftencontributetoattentiondi?culties: Alertnessregulation:Activitiesthatpromoteoptimalarousalforlearningand attention Environmentalmodi?cations:Reducingdistractingsensoryinputinlearning environments Movementintegration:Incorporatingappropriatemovementtosupportfocusand attention Executivefunctionsupport:Connectingsensoryawarenesstoplanningand

8. organizationskills Anxiety and Emotional Regulation Sensoryprocessingchallengesoftencontributetoanxietyandemotional dysregulation: Stressreductionstrategies:Teachingtechniquestomanagesensoryoverload beforeitbecomesoverwhelming Emotionalawareness:Connectingsensoryexperiencestoemotionalresponses Copingskilldevelopment:Buildingatoolkitofstrategiesfordi?erentsensory challenges Environmentalpredictability:Creatingsensory-supportiveenvironmentsthat reduceanxiety Family-Centered Sensory Support Comprehensive Parent Education Webelievefamiliesareessentialpartnersinsensoryintegrationsuccess: Understandingyourchild’ssensorypro?le:Learningtorecognizepatternsand triggers Homeenvironmentalmodi?cations:Simplechangesthatcanmakeasigni?cant di?erence Dailyroutineadaptations:Incorporatingsensorystrategiesintoexistingactivities Advocacyskills:Supportingyourchild’ssensoryneedsinschoolandcommunity settings Siblingandfamilysupport:Helpingeveryoneunderstandandsupportyourchild’s needs Ongoing Family Support Crisismanagementstrategies:Whattododuringsensorymeltdownsor overwhelmingsituations Long-termplanning:Adaptingstrategiesasyourchildgrowsandtheirneeds change Celebratingprogress:Recognizingandbuildingonyourchild’ssensoryintegration successes

9. Frequently Asked Questions General Questions HowdoIknowifmychildhassensoryprocessingissues?Considersensory integrationtherapyifyourchildshowsextremereactionstoeverydaysensory experiences,avoidsorexcessivelyseekscertainsensations,hasfrequentmeltdowns insensory-richenvironments,orstruggleswithactivitiesthatseemeasyforother childrentheirage. What’sthedi?erencebetweensensoryprocessingdisorderandautism?Sensory processingchallengescanoccurindependentlyoraspartofotherconditionslike autism,ADHD,oranxiety.Whilemanychildrenwithautismhavesensoryprocessing di?erences,manychildrenwithsensoryprocessingchallengesdonothaveautism.A comprehensiveevaluationcanhelpclarifyyourchild’sspeci?cpro?le. Willmyinsurancecoversensoryintegrationtherapy?Coveragevariesbyinsurance planandistypicallycoveredwhenprovidedaspartofoccupationaltherapyservices. We’renetworkprovidersformajorinsuranceplansandwillverifyyourspeci?c bene?ts.Someplansmayrequiredocumentationofhowsensoryprocessinga?ects dailyfunctioning. About Treatment Howlongdoessensoryintegrationtherapytake?Treatmentdurationvariesbasedon yourchild’sindividualneedsandgoals.Somechildrenmakesigni?cantprogressin6- 12months,whileothersmaybene?tfromlonger-termsupport.Weregularlyassess progressandadjusttreatmentintensityandfocusaccordingly. Issensoryintegrationtherapyappropriateformyyoungchild?Yes!Earlyintervention isoftenmoste?ective.Weadaptourapproachfordi?erentages,usingplay-based activitiesforyoungerchildrenandmorestructured,goal-orientedactivitiesfor school-agechildrenandteens. Whatifmychildisresistanttosensoryexperiences?Wealwaysrespectyourchild’s comfortlevelandneverforceparticipationinactivities.Ourtherapistsareskilledin graduallybuildingtoleranceandhelpingchildrenfeelsafewhileexploringnew

10. sensoryexperiences.Resistanceoftendecreasesastrustbuildsandnervoussystemsensoryexperiences.Resistanceoftendecreasesastrustbuildsandnervoussystem regulationimproves. Cansensoryintegrationtherapyhelpwithbehaviorproblems?Yes!Manychallenging behaviorsstemfromsensoryprocessingdi?culties.Whenchildren’ssensoryneeds areunderstoodandsupported,behavioralchallengesoftenimprovesigni?cantly.We addresstheunderlyingsensorycausesofbehavioralresponses. Home and Daily Life Support HowcanIsupportmychild’ssensoryneedsathome?Weprovidespeci?cstrategies basedonyourchild’ssensorypro?le.Thismightincludeenvironmentalmodi?cations, sensoryactivitiesthroughouttheday,timingadjustmentsforchallengingtasks,and toolsorequipmentthatsupportregulation. WhatshouldIdoduringasensorymeltdown?Staycalm,ensuresafety,andavoid overwhelmingyourchildwithtoomuchinputordemands.Preventionthrough environmentalawarenessandsensorypreparationisoftenmoste?ective. HowdoIexplainmychild’ssensoryneedstoothers?Weprovideeducationand resourcestohelpyouadvocateforyourchild.Simpleexplanationslike “loudsounds hurtherears” or “heneedsmovementtohelphisbodyfeelcalm” canhelpothers understandandaccommodateyourchild’sneeds. School and Community Concerns Willsensorybasedtherapyhelpmychildatschool?Absolutely!Bettersensory processingoftenleadstoimprovedattention,reducedbehavioralchallenges,better handwriting,andincreasedparticipationinclassroomactivities.Wecanprovide speci?cschoolrecommendationsandworkwitheducationalteams. Canmychildparticipateinnormalactivitiesandsports?Yes!Thegoalofsensory integrationtherapyistohelpchildrenparticipatemoresuccessfullyintypical childhoodactivities.Weoftenworkonbuildingtoleranceandskillsforspeci?c activitiesyourchildwantstojoin. Whataboutsensorychallengesduringfamilyoutings?Weprovidespeci?cstrategies forchallengingenvironmentslikerestaurants,stores,amusementparks,andfamily

11. gatherings.Preparation,environmentalmodi?cations,andhavingaplancanmakegatherings.Preparation,environmentalmodi?cations,andhavingaplancanmake familyactivitiesmuchmoreenjoyableforeveryone. Advanced and Specialized Questions Doyouuseasensorygymorspecialequipment?Yes!Ourclinicsareequippedwith sensorybasedequipmentincludingswings,climbingstructures,tactilematerials,and othertherapeutictoolsdesignedtoprovidespeci?ctypesofsensoryinputin controlledways. What’stheresearchbehindsensoryintegrationtherapy?Sensoryintegrationtherapy isbasedondecadesofresearchbeginningwithDr.A.JeanAyres.Currentresearch continuestosupportthee?ectivenessofsensoryintegrationapproaches,particularly whenprovidedbytrainedoccupationaltherapistsusingevidence-basedmethods. Sensory Equipment and Environment Specialized Therapeutic Equipment Oursensorybasedtherapyroomsinclude: Suspendedequipment:Variousswingsandhammocksprovidingvestibularand proprioceptiveinput Climbingandmovingsurfaces:Opportunitiesformotorplanningand proprioceptivefeedback Tactilematerials:Varietyoftexturesandmaterialsforsensoryexploration Heavyworkequipment:Toolsforprovidingorganizingproprioceptiveinput Regulationspaces:Quietareasforself-regulationandsensorybreaks Sensory-Supportive Environment Ourtherapyspacesaredesignedto: Providecontrolledsensoryexperiences Minimizeoverwhelmingordistractinginput O?erchoicesandmodi?cationsbasedonindividualneeds Createpredictable,safespacesforsensoryexploration Supportbothsensoryseekingandsensorysensitivechildren

12. Success Stories and Outcomes Whileeverychild’ssensoryintegrationjourneyisunique,ourfamiliesconsistently reportimprovementsin: Reducedsensory-relatedmeltdownsandbehavioralchallenges Increasedparticipationindailyactivitiesandfamilyroutines Betterself-regulationandcopingwithsensorychallenges Improvedschoolperformanceandclassroomparticipation Enhancedmotorskillsandcoordination Greatercon?denceintryingnewactivitiesandenvironments Improvedsleeppatternsanddailyroutinetransitions Enhancedpeerrelationshipsandsocialparticipation Take the First Step Toward Sensory Success Ifyourchildisstrugglingwithsensoryprocessingchallenges,earlyinterventioncan makeasigni?cantdi?erenceintheirdailycomfortandsuccess.Don’twaittoseek supportforbehaviorsthatareimpactingyourchild’sabilitytoparticipatefullyinlife. Ready to understand your child’s sensory world? Call us at (972) 424-0148 to: Scheduleacomprehensiveevaluation Discussyourchild’sspeci?csensorychallengesandbehaviors Learnaboutoursensorybasedtherapyapproaches Verifyyourinsurancebene?tsandcoverageoptions Connectwithourexperiencedoccupationaltherapists Wondering if sensory based therapy could help your child? Consider these questions: Doesyourchildhaveextremereactionstoeverydaysensoryexperiences? Arecertainactivitiesconsistentlychallenging(haircuts,clothing,loudplaces)? Doesyourchildseekoravoidsensoryinputinwaysthatseemunusual? Aredailyroutinesdi?cultduetosensorysensitivitiesorneeds? Doyoususpectunderlyingsensoryissuesarea?ectingbehaviororlearning? Hasyourchildbeendescribedas “oversensitive” or “sensoryseeking”?

13. Ifyouanswered “yes” toanyofthesequestions,asensorybasedevaluationcould providevaluableinsightsande?ectivestrategies. Notsurewheretostart?Ourexperiencedtherapyteamunderstandsthatnavigating sensoryprocessingchallengescanfeeloverwhelming.We’reheretolistentoyour observations,answeryourquestions,andhelpyouunderstandhowsensorybased therapymightsupportyourchildandfamily.Everyconversationbeginswithvalidating yourexperiencesandunderstandingyourchild’suniquesensorypro?le. AtSpeech & OccupationalTherapyofNorthTexas,webelieveeverychilddeservesto feelcomfortableandcon?dentintheirsensoryworld.Fromreducingoverwhelming sensoryexperiencestobuildingself-regulationskillstoenhancingparticipationin dailyactivities,we’recommittedtohelpingyourchildnavigatetheirsensoryworld withgreatereaseandsuccess. Proudly serving families throughout North Texas from our locations in Frisco, McKinney, and Plano since 2001.

14. Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas Clinic Locations in Frisco, McKinney & Plano – and Serving the Surrounding Communities. Plano Clinic Location 141014thStreet Plano,Texas75074 Phone(972)424-0148 Fax(972)422-5275

15. Frisco Clinic Location 3880ParkwoodBlvd,Building5,Suite502 Frisco,Texas75034 Phone(972)424-0148 McKinney Clinic  Location 2240BushDrive,Suite200 McKinney,Texas75070 Phone(972)424-0148 ©2025Speech & OTofNorthTexas-AllRightsReserved. SitebyNorthTexasWebDesign