Sensory Integration

It is likely you have heard of sensory integration. In a few words, sensory integration is the brain’s ability to process information taken in through the senses to screen out unnecessary input and “make sense of the rest” to aid in decision-making and appropriate responses to and interactions with our environment. But what does sensory integration have to do with social understanding?

When in a crowded room, whether it’s a classroom, gymnasium, restaurant, or store, a person with sensory integration difficulties may not be able to focus on just one thing. Instead, his or her senses are bombarded by all the surrounding sights, sounds, sensations, and smells. Rather obvious social implications accompany an inability to focus on a private conversation, or the instructions of a teacher in the front of the room, or the calls of a referee.

People who experience various sensations very keenly—whether it’s temperature, tags in clothing or clothing textures, or the firmness of touch—will encounter social difficulties when they are required to dress in a manner that is uncomfortable for them, or when they get jostled in line while waiting for the bank teller or the drinking fountain. Difficulties with the proprioceptive system can cause individuals to use too much force to close a door or to tap a friend on the shoulder. We've likely all experienced occasional negative effects of this either at home, school, or in the workplace!

And the compelling need that some of these individuals have to move--or to experience as many sensations as possible in a short amount of time (or, conversely, to avoid these things at all costs)--can affect the social interactions of these individuals as well as those around them.

While we work to teach social understanding, sometimes individuals have all the information and “rules” needed to carry out a social task, but they simply cannot provide adequate or appropriate responses due to the fact that their brains and bodies are focused on immediate sensory input and needs instead. A true social understanding approach will take into consideration the effect that difficulty with sensory processing has on behaviors and responses.

For help understanding and responding to sensory integration dysfunction, I recommend the book, “Understanding Regulation Disorders of Sensory Processing in Children.” My “Social Response Pyramid(TM) KIT” contains an instructional DVD showing me working with my own children to describe how sensory dysfunction and strong emotions can get us “stuck” and unable to access strategies for interacting effectively with others. The tool is helpful for staying calm and identifying choices that will help move us in the right direction. (Both of these resources are available at www.thegraycenter.org).

Please use this blog to share your own suggestions for resources and strategies with others!

Laurel Falvo, Certified Family Life Educator
Executive Director
The Gray Center for Social Learning and Understanding
Copyright 2007-2009