Sensory integration is defined as the neurological process that organizes sensation from one’s own body and the environment, thus making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment. Specifically, it deals with how the brain processes multiple sensory modality inputs into usable functional outputs.
Sensory integration deals with how the brain processes sensory input from multiple sensory modalities. These include the five classic senses of vision (sight), audition (hearing), tactile stimulation (touch), olfaction (smell), and gustation (taste). Other sensory modalities exist, for example the vestibular sense (balance and the sense of movement) and proprioception (the sense of knowing one’s position in space).
The sensory inputs themselves are in different electrical signals, and in different contexts through sensory integration, the brain can relate all sensory inputs into a coherent percept, upon which our interaction with the environment is ultimately based.
Sensory integration therapy is for enhancing physical and mental development of all clients with Autism, ADHD, Downs and other.
Sensory integration involves various techniques and methods by which we can normalise the body’s sensations. For example, exposure of the skin to various rough and smooth textures, using therapeutic putty, use of swing, hydrotherapy, sand therapy etc to stimulate the sensory receptors.
Hydro/ Aquatic Therapy
Hydrotherapy, or Aquatic therapy, is the use of water (hot, cold, steam, or ice) to help improve joint muscle movement and promote physical well-being.
Aquatics/ Hydro activities are pleasurable and enjoyable experiences that have many physical, psycho social, cognitive, and recreational benefits. Water provides an environment, which reduces body weight by 90%, decreasing stress or impact on the body. Warm water also reduces spasticity and relaxes muscles.
Aquatic therapy can focus on therapeutic play-based functional movement, improving range of motion, helping to facilitate neurodevelopmental growth, improved body awareness, increased balance, sensory integration, mobility skills and most importantly, having fun.
Qualified personnel from Romasis provide hydro/aquatic therapies under supervised guidance to aid in restoration, extension, maintenance and quality of function for children/adults with acute, transient, or chronic disabilities, syndromes or diseases.
Benefits of Aquatic Therapy
- Aquatic Therapy is a unique technique which benefits by reinforcing abilities and tasks by giving a combined and cohesive effort of water and land- based therapy.
- Aquatic Therapy benefits children with spasticity, muscle spasm and children with sensory issues.
- Aquatic Therapy helps in decreasing pain, stiffness, muscle spasm and encourage apt posture. It also helps in balance and coordination.
- Aquatic Therapy enhances relaxation and freedom of movement for increased muscle tone, hydro therapy aids in increasing range of motion, strength and endurance.
- Aquatic Therapy provides better mobility through reduced joint strain.
AT is best used for enhancing sensory feedback and body awareness.
Sand Therapy
Sand therapy is a basic ingredient for indoor sensory play.
This therapy captures the essence of a child's creativity, cooperative play, tactile play and fine motor skills. Children will have so much fun playing in it while they develop necessary developmental skills.
Children with sensory processing disorders are the population of kids to make sure they are encouraged to play in the sand. They need to become accustomed to this type of tactile input!
Sand Therapy Play Benefits
- Encourage exploration
- Offer the opportunity to express insight deep thoughts
- Find creative play ideas to encourage them touch the sand
Young children on the autism spectrum often have difficulty in developing the fine-motor skills that lead to lack of eye-hand coordination, visual discrimination and eventually reading and writing. Sand therapy also helps in developing fine motor skills by giving tactile input.
Swing Therapy
From infants to toddlers, children to teens, swings are an essential ingredient for fun! Children need to experience this type of vestibular input without fear to develop properly.
Swings are an integral part of sensory integration therapy. It is this rhythmic input that can calm a child and give them the vestibular (movement) input their body needs.
Movement is essential for typical development to occur in all children. Swinging can have powerful impact the brain’s ability to process and use sensory information. Swings when used in a therapeutic way provide the required sensory diets for special needs children.
