Week 4 - Sensory Processing

Question 1

What is sensory integration?

Answer 1

Bringing information from the senses together and processing them to interact with the environment

Question 2

What is sensory processing?

Answer 2

How we take information from the environment and integrate it

Question 3

What is sensory modulation?

Answer 3

The ability to regulate and organise the degree of intensity of responses to sensory stimuli

Question 4

Example of sensory modulation

Answer 4

When you put clothes on for the first time in the morning, you will feel it. But as time goes on, you forget about it
- For people with low sensory modulation, they struggle to forget about that sensory stimuli and acts as a form of annoyance to them

Question 5

Sensory processing process

Answer 5

1. Intake: sensory registration and modulation
2. Use of input: organising actions
3. Interpretation: discrimination and affective appraisal of input

Question 6

Sensory processing disorders can occur as a result of:

Answer 6

1. problem in intake or effective appraisal
2. problem using the input
3. a problem of discrimination

Question 7

What is a neurological threshold?

Answer 7

The amount of stimuli required for a neuron to respond

- This is different for everyone (some require more or less stimuli)

Question 8

Habituation in neurological thresholds

Answer 8

Recognising familiar stimuli that do not require additional attention

Question 9

Sensitisation in neurological thresholds

Answer 9

Enhances awareness of important stimuli

Question 10

Balance between habituation and sensitisation in neurological thresholds

Answer 10

Require for generation of appropriate responses to stimuli in the environment

Question 11

Hyper-responsive

Answer 11

When responses are larger than we would normally expect

Question 12

Hypo-responsive

Answer 12

When responses are smaller than we would normally expect

Question 13

What is responsiveness

Answer 13

Ability to balance competing excitatory and inhibitory demands to determine appropriate adaptive response

Question 14

What is passive self-regulation strategies?

Answer 14

Let sensory events occur (fidget toys)

Question 15

What is active self-regulation strategies?

Answer 15

Select and engage in behaviours to control own sensory experience

Question 16

Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing

Answer 16

• Performance problems result from inadequate skill development or insufficient environmental supports
• Addresses participation through skill development or changes to task or environment

Question 17

High threshold =

Answer 17

Slow to notice sensory stimuli

Question 18

Low threshold =

Answer 18

Quick to notice sensory stimuli

Question 19

Passive self-regulation =

Answer 19

Allow sensory experiences to happen and then react

Question 20

Active self-regulation =

Answer 20

Engage in behaviours to manage or control sensory input

Question 21

What are the four categories in Dunn’s Sensory Processing Framework?

Answer 21

1. Bystanders
2. Seekers
3. Avoiders
4. Sensors

Question 22

Bystanders =

Answer 22

Miss more sensory cues than others

• High threshold
• Passive self-regulation
• Don’t know what they are missing
• Easy going and can focus even in busy places
  (ADD - drift away)

Question 23

Seekers =

Answer 23

Are busier and more engaged in sensory experiences

• High threshold
• Active self-regulation
• Always want more
• Create excitement and change all around them
  (ADHD)

Question 24

Avoiders =

Answer 24

Are more likely to retreat from unfamiliar situations

• Low threshold
• Active self-regulation
• Want more of the same thing and nothing more
• Create routines to keep life peaceful and manageable

Question 25

Sensors =

Answer 25

React more quickly and more intensely than others - Low threshold - Passive self-regulation - Keep track of everything - Notice what is going on and have precise ideas about how to handle situations

Question 26

Sensory avoiding behaviours impact

Answer 26

- Overwhelmed by sensory rich environments - Intentional withdrawal or blocking of sensation - May be reliant on rituals, rigid, enjoys routine - High ability to design and implement structure

Question 27

Sensory processing in ASD

Answer 27

- Atypical responses to sensory input - More likely to have avoiding pattern - Mixed patterns - Predictability

Question 28

How to evaluate sensory processing

Answer 28

1. Sensory history - Questionnaire or interview, informal or standardised - Experienced with sensory input during every day life 2. Physiological measures - Arousal and sensory reactivity 3. Formal assessments of sensory processing - Sensory profile

Question 29

Coaching to select strategies (for parents)

Answer 29

1. Support parent to: - Problem solve - Reflect on recent experiences - Develop strategies to meet needs 2. Build on parent's: - Existing competencies - Insights - Strengths and resources 3. Outcomes - Capacity building - Decreased stress - Improved child participation - Higher sense of parental competence

Question 30

Strategies to support performance: sensory seeking

Answer 30

- Incorporate additional sensory inputs within routine so thresholds can be met within activities - Select sensory alternatives that are less interfering and socially appropriate

Question 31

Strategies to support performance: sensory avoiding

Answer 31

- Honour need to limit input - Broaden sensory range within selected rituals - Avoid or reduce exposure to aversive stimuli

Question 32

Strategies to support performance: sensory sensitivity

Answer 32

- Provide calming sensory input within tasks to reduce chances of arousal

Question 33

Strategies to support performance: low registration

Answer 33

- Intensify sensory information so thresholds are met and child will notice and respond - Structure environment/activity to enhance focus on task - Set clear boundaries and use salient visual supports

Question 34

What might change look like?

Answer 34

- Change to design/modification of activity (writing implements) - Routine changes (when ability to concentrate is best) - Inclusion of physical activity/opportunity to avoid sensory stimuli (movement break) - Access to materials to meed sensory needs (dynamic seating, fidget toys)

Question 35

Sensory stories

Answer 35

Create stories that talk child through a situations (e.g. hairdresser) To teach children sensory strategies they can self-employ - Used in preparation for challenging occupation - Child chooses strategy and self implements

Question 36

Risk management considerations

Answer 36

Harm, cost, benefits, duration, plausibility, practicality, content