Dysfunction in sensory integration (DSI) impacts the brain's ability to organize information from the sense organs -- such as the skin and muscles -- and use it to interact with the environment in a purposeful and rewarding way. Symptoms may include sensitivities to stimuli such as touch, language delays, decreased coordination, visual perceptual deficits, distractibility and difficulties with organization. Some of these symptoms may also occur in individuals with attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and anxiety.
Attention Deficit Disorders
Attention deficit disorders (ADD) can be described as the predominantly inattentive type (without hyperactivity), predominantly hyperactive type or a combined type. Symptoms of the inattentive type might include sluggishness, low muscle tone and a tendency to space out. These are also symptoms of an under-reactive vestibular sensory system. The vestibular -- or balance -- sense organs in the inner ears respond to changes in head movement. According to A. Jean Ayres, who first recognized and wrote about sensory integration theory, the vestibular system is responsible for sending the impulses that extend the neck, arms, back and legs in order to maintain posture. Children with this type of DSI seem to present with similarities to children with the inattentive type of ADD. They might both be seen in the classroom sliding out of their seats and struggling to pay attention and learn.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning disability that has similarities to some aspects of DSI. Dr. Sally Shaywitz, author of "Overcoming Dyslexia," describes dyslexia as a linguistic problem, not a visual one. It is a specific processing disorder that makes it difficult to differentiate the sounds that make up words. However, individuals with dyslexia may also demonstrate visual perceptual difficulties such as confusing the written letters b and d. Visual perception, or the brain's ability to interpret visual information, depends on a good foundation of sensory integration skills. Individuals with DSI often have learning disabilities, but not always. Individuals with dyslexia or DSI may struggle with handwriting because of the many discriminations involved in forming letters, making letters fit on writing lines and creating correct spacing between letters and words. In addition, when children with either of these conditions find academics too challenging, they may present with symptoms of distractibility, difficulty focusing and work avoidance.
Anxiety Disorders
Individuals with DSI often have anxiety because they find the world a threatening place. They may fear movement, sudden noises and unexpected touch. Parents of children with DSI will often create a world of predictability and structure so that their children feel less threatened; they know to avoid malls and other over-stimulating environments. Adults with DSI will often find careers and living situations that provide the least amounts of the stimulation that they find aversive. Individuals with anxiety disorders may also avoid situations that increase stress. Anxiety can be mild -- perhaps a feeling of uneasiness -- or severe, such as when one has a panic attack with nausea and heart palpitations. These individuals may be treated with medication and/or psychotherapy. According to psychiatrist and author Daniel G. Amen, anxiety is usually the result of a combination of brain vulnerability and life stresses. Anxiety disorders appear to have many similarities to DSI, and some individuals have both disorders.
References
- "Sensory Integration and the Child"; A. Jean Ayres; 2005
- "Healing ADD"; Daniel G. Amen; 2001
- "Healing Anxiety and Depression"; Daniel G. Amen; 2003
- "How Does Your Engine Run?"; Mary Sue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger; 1994
