| Not all children with autism have sensory problems | | | | The main objective of sensory integration and |
| among their symptoms, but when present they | | | | autism therapy is to make their environment |
| are among the first to become noticeable. | | | | tolerable and even pleasant for the child if at all |
| Sensory issues can range from being | | | | possible. Most sensory integration therapy is |
| hypersensitive or, at the other end of the scale, | | | | incorporated within occupational therapy. |
| having a lack of response to many types of | | | | There are many types of activities that are |
| stimulation. However by employing sensory | | | | integrated into the therapy to expose the child to |
| integration and autism therapy these issues can | | | | sensations of all types; including brushing the skin, |
| be managed. | | | | motions and movements, music or other auditory |
| The range of sensory integration (SI) issues | | | | stimuli. |
| children with autism face varies dramatically from | | | | The child is exposed over and over again in a |
| child to child. Some children are unable to tolerate | | | | controlled environment in the hope that this |
| any loud or unusual noise. Textures of foods and | | | | exposure will help them learn to process the |
| fabrics may be extremely irritating. Something as | | | | information without becoming startled or |
| simple as a clothing label can feel to an autistic | | | | overwhelmed. If ST therapy is successful, the |
| child like insects crawling over their skin. For these | | | | child usually becomes calmer and more in control |
| hypersensitive children anything remotely out of | | | | of their actions and other problems, such as |
| the ordinary, such as a loud family gathering with | | | | tantrums, may also be diminished. |
| lots of hugging and kissing, can be too much for | | | | There is debate over how effective SI therapy |
| senses to manage. | | | | can be. There are several studies that |
| On the other end of the spectrum, some autistic | | | | demonstrate the therapy works well and just as |
| children show practically no response to anything | | | | many have illustrated that the therapy has no |
| at all. Loud noises are ignored, events or actions | | | | positive impact and in some case a negative |
| that might have an impact on anyone else will | | | | effect. |
| pass seemingly unnoticed. | | | | Some of the controversy with this therapy may |
| Though it is not always the case, some classic | | | | lie with unspecialized health care professionals |
| autistic behaviors can be attributed to the | | | | attempting to provide the therapy without enough |
| sensory issues themselves. | | | | experience or training. Another point to bear in |
| Some children will deal with feelings of | | | | mind that as each child and each case of autism is |
| over-stimulation by flapping hands, rocking their | | | | different, so the outcome will never be the same |
| bodies, and even walking in different ways. Those | | | | for any two children, therefore it is very hard to |
| behaviors may seem odd, however when you | | | | compare outcomes between two or more |
| consider that their senses are overloaded, those | | | | children. |
| actions make a great deal more sense. | | | | When considering sensory integration and autism |
| It is somewhat logical if an autistic child is | | | | therapy for your child it is important to speak to |
| over-stimulated, he or she might alter how they | | | | a qualified doctor about the potential benefits and |
| do things in order to try to deal with whatever it | | | | setbacks that may occur. Some children with |
| is that is proving to be overwhelming. These | | | | autism simply don't need this form of therapy, |
| same actions might also be carried out in order to | | | | while others will not respond to it at all. It is the |
| seek sensations that are desired, but not present. | | | | individual situation that will dictate the final result. |