How Occupational Therapy Helps with Sensory Integration Issues
Download the accompanying handout.
What is sensory integration?
Sensory integration helps people “make sense” of the world around them. Sensory integration is the process of using our senses to take in and organize sensory information for success in everyday activities.
What is occupational therapy?
Many people think of occupational therapy as something that is only for adults, but children can benefit from OT as well. Kids don’t have “occupations” in a traditional way, but playing is the job of children. Occupational therapy involves helping people with activities they need and want to do every day including self care skills (feeding, dressing, grooming, etc.) playing and communicating, and being part of their family.
Occupational therapy goals include therapists enabling children to be able to do what they need and want to do: get dressed, ride a bike, make friends, perform tasks in class and learn at school. Occupational therapists are trained to assess how children use sensory integration, including any atypical sensory seeking or avoiding behaviors.
