Sensory Systems are a child’s foundational building blocks to all higher development. At Motivate kids we think of a child’s brain as a smartphone and each sensory system as an ‘app that is downloading’.
Sensory Integration (also known as ‘Sensory Processing’) is necessary for academic learning, social behaviour, emotional regulation and the development of a positive sense of self. The brain receives messages from the senses and organises the messages so we act and respond to the situation we are experiencing in a purposeful manner. Sensory integration is just one way to support children to grow. Our therapists use unique tailoring for each child’s OT journey.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition that exists when sensory signals don’t get organised into appropriate responses. A person with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, which creates challenges in performing countless everyday tasks. Currently this diagnosis is not recognised as a formal diagnosis in Australia as we are guided by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5.