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Sensory Integration, Attention and Learning
Attention problems may be the result of many underlying factors. The diagnoses of ADD or ADHD and the use of drugs for treatment is not the only option for someone who has difficulty paying attention. Learning and paying attention is dependent upon the ability to integrate and organize information from our senses. Everyone knows the five basic senses; seeing, hearing, taste, smell and touch. But there are other senses that are not as familiar including the sense of movement (vestibular), and sense of muscle awareness (proprioception). Unorganized sensory input creates a traffic jam in our brain making it difficult to pay attention and learn. To be successful learners, our senses must work together in an organized manner. This is known as sensory integration. The foundation for sensory integration is the organization of tactile, proprioceptive and vestibular input. A person diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, due to their difficulty paying attention, may in fact have an immature nervous system causing sensory integration dysfunction. This makes it difficult for him/her to filter out nonessential information, background noises or visual distraction and focus on what is essential. The relationship between sensory integration, learning and attention will be discussed below.
Tactile sense is our ability to learn from our environment through our sense of touch. This includes knowing how heavy, smooth, rough, big or small an object is just by holding it. In addition, this sense has a protective component which causes us to pull our hand away from a hot stove. Tactile integration is important for the development of body awareness, fine motor skills, motor planning and being comfortable with touch. Examples of unorganized processing of tactile input may be seen as someone who has trouble in crowds, pulls away from hugs, is bothered by certain clothes or foods, or has to touch everything. If someone is attending to the tags in their clothes or the seams in their socks, they are not able to focus on what you are saying; they are not ready to learn.
Vestibular sense provides information related to movement and head position. The vestibular sense is important for development of balance, coordination, eye control, attention, being secure with movement, emotional security and some aspects of language development. Disorganized processing of vestibular input may be seen when someone has difficulty with attention, coordination, following directions, reading (keeping eyes focused on the page or board) or eye-hand coordination. Disorganization may also be seen in someone who is constantly in motion, has an extreme fear of movement, or is described as an overly sensitive, lazy or sedentary person. Immature language skills can often be the reason a child is initially referred for therapy, but the language delay may be the result of immature sensory processing.
Proprioception is our ability to know where our muscles and joints are in space and how they are moving. This is very important for the development of body awareness. Our proprioceptive sense cannot work in isolation, but requires constant input from our tactile and vestibular systems. Unorganized processing of proprioceptive input may be seen as someone who is clumsy, falls or stumbles frequently, is overly aggressive (e.g., tackles people), walks on toes, constantly chewing on food or objects, has difficulty motor planning, or is messy at mealtime. Someone who is unconsciously worried about where their body is on the chair or how they will walk around the table without bumping into it, will not be able to focus their attention on what is being said or what they are carrying.
When the above sensory systems are intact, learning is effortless and easy. Immature systems make paying attention and therefore learning difficult and frustrating. A qualified Occupational Therapist can help determine if sensory integration dysfunction may be one underlying cause of the learning and attention problems. Once evaluated, the therapist will make appropriate recommendations which may include individual therapy, home programs and/or referrals to other specialists such as Speech Therapy, Developmental Optometrist, Neurologist, etc. To find a qualified Occupational Therapist contact Sensory Integration International, your pediatrician, local hospital, school district, or therapy clinics. In addition, an excellent reference for learning more about sensory integration and treatment strategies for weak sensory systems is the book, The Out-of Sync Child, by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.
About the Authors
Dana Nicholls, OTR/L, is an Occupational Therapist in Washington State. She is a Certified Sensory Integration Therapist, who was trained at The Ayres Clinic. She is currently in private practice serving clients in the greater Puget Sound area. Dana can be reached via email at danaot@yahoo.com or fax at 253-853-4308.Peggy Syvertson CCC-SLP, is a Speech and Language Pathologist in Washington State. She has her Master's and an Interdisciplinary Certificate as an Early Intervention Specialist. She is currently working in private practice and within the schools in the greater Puget Sound area. Peggy can be reached via email at pksslp@hotmail.com.
This information is provided by:
Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Special Education
P O Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
(360) 725-6088
Fax (360)586-1631
E-mail: dgill@ospi.wednet.edu
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