Sensory.....

Sensory Integration or Sensory Processing Disorder

Sensory processing (sometimes called "sensory integration" or SI) is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. Whether you are biting into a hamburger, riding a bicycle, or reading a book, your successful completion of the activity requires processing sensation or "sensory integration."

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD, formerly known as "sensory integration dysfunction") is a condition that exists when sensory signals don't get organized into appropriate responses. Pioneering occupational therapist and neuroscientist A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. 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.  Sensory Processing Disorder can affect people in only one sense–for example, just touch or just sight or just movement–or in multiple senses. One person with SPD may over-respond to sensation and find clothing, physical contact, light, sound, food, or other sensory input to be unbearable. Another might under-respond and show little or no reaction to stimulation, even pain or extreme hot and cold. 

How Sensory Processing Disorder is treated

Most children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) are just as intelligent as their peers. Many are intellectually gifted. Their brains are simply wired differently. They need to be taught in ways that are adapted to how they process information, and they need leisure activities that suit their own sensory processing needs.

Once children with Sensory Processing Disorder have been accurately diagnosed, they benefit from a treatment program of occupational therapy (OT) with a sensory integration (SI) approach. When appropriate and applied by a well-trained clinician, listening therapy (such as Integrated Listening Systems) or other complementary therapies may be combined effectively with OT-SI.

Occupational therapy with a sensory integration approach typically takes place in a sensory-rich environment sometimes called the "OT gym." During OT sessions, the therapist guides the child through fun activities that are subtly structured so the child is constantly challenged but always successful.

  (http://www.sinetwork.org/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html)

For Tanner, as far as his sensory issues goes and what effects him; FOOD...Tanner does better on the more bland food, less odor, and soft textured food. The kid loves Oatmeal, yogurt, jello, and applesauce. He is starting to eat more variety of foods, but it kinda just depends on what mood he is in too!

Clothing; certain types of material on clothes bug him, TAGS are a MAJOR ordeal right now, also if its a shirt that has any embroidery that is on the inside of the shirt it irritates him. 

Textures; to feel certain textures, like playdough it feels weird to him and he's not totally crazy about it but is starting to like it more. Sand, he will kinda touch it but then wipe his hands off really quick because of the feeling of the sand. 

We are actually getting what is called a "Weighted Blanket" made for him, this will help calm down his senses at night and help allow him to sleep. Also a weighted vest, this will help him in public places that he is not familiar with and the weight of the vest will help keep him calm and to avoid any type of tantrums.