Sensory Integration allows children to sustain an appropriate level of alertness/arousal in order to respond appropriately across all environments and activities, especially at school, home, or in large crowds.

Occupational Therapy providers have a crucial role in the assessment and treatment of sensory processing disorders and difficulties. Our sensory system is made up of the auditory, visual, gustatory, vestibular, tactile, and proprioception systems. All day, every day we receive information about the world around us through our sensory systems. Typically, sensory information is received from the environment, and we can interact with our environment appropriately. We understand that a child’s ability to process sensory information appropriately impacts overall development on multiple levels. Children with disorders in sensory integration have inefficient processing of information received through the senses, which impacts their educational, social, and emotional development. Occupational Therapy providers with special training in this area can promote individualized sensory integration treatment using playful, meaningful activities that enhance the child’s sensory intake to promote adaptive responses for improved function throughout their day. The goal of sensory intervention is to enable the child to participate in childhood activities including playing with peers, dressing and grooming, sports, and developing hobbies.