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In addition to the 5 senses of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste, human beings also have these lesser-known senses:
In daily life, a person encounters many different types of sensory inputs, both external and internal. When these sensory signals get disorganized, it can result in inappropriate responses or behaviors to one’s environment. This is called Sensory Processing Disorder (also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction).
Although Sensory Processing Disorder can appear as a behavioral issue, it is actually a neurological condition.
Symptoms of SPD may include:
(from Wikipedia:) Although sensory processing disorder is accepted in the Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood, it is not recognized as a mental disorder in medical manuals such as the ICD-10 or the DSM-5.
Diagnosis is primarily arrived at by the use of standardized tests and questionnaires, expert observational scales, and free play observation at an occupational therapy gym. A child may be referred for an OT evaluation based on a behavioral diagnosis such as ADHD or a neurological diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as other diagnoses.
SPD in children can be effectively treated and managed with Occupational Therapy. Through therapeutic play activities, the child will be empowered to:
The goal of this approach is to enable the patient (child) to more successfully regulate their own feelings, emotions and thoughts, resulting in more productive behaviors and increased independence.
At Bothell Pediatric, we believe that each child is uniquely brilliant. Through effective therapeutic intervention, it’s our goal to give children the tools they need to succeed at home, at school, in social situations and out in the community. Partnering with parents, we help children increase independence and improve functioning in their activities of daily living.
After the Initial Evaluation, a customized treatment plan is created for each child to support them in maximizing the benefits of therapy. From increasing strengths in a particular area to fostering the brain’s development of neural pathways, all of our therapists monitor and direct the therapeutic “play” sessions in order to ensure that the primary treatment goal is always the focus.
Our unique approach focuses on the successful integration of children’s brain & body systems to advance healthy growth and development. We continually promote collaboration among our licensed therapists to ensure optimal patient outcomes.