Sensory Integrative Dysfunction Essay

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The assessment findings above indicate an underlying sensory integrative dysfunction. Kianah’s functional difficulties and presenting problems referred to throughout this protocol are an end result of inefficient and irregular sensory processing of specific sensory information by the brain. Ayres (2005:54) believed that, although the integration of sensory input develops together, some functions lead up to others and that there are many processes involved in integrating sensory information.

The first level of integration occurs when the five major sensory systems are stimulated adequately and their impulses travel from the receptors to the brain. Integration primarily occurs within the vestibular, proprioceptive and tactile systems at this level because the organisation of a child’s CNS depends upon these more basic sensations, rather than visual and auditory sensations (Ayres, 2005:54). Kianah’s vestibular system seems to be registering, modulating and discriminating sensory input efficiently, and integrating this stimuli to generate an appropriate adaptive response. Functionally, this is observed in her well-developed postural control such as well-organised eye movements, posture, balance and postural reactions, postural adjustments, and muscle tone. She also responds appropriately to vestibular input and is not overly sensitive to movement or disorganised by it. Kianah’s efficient vestibular system is an area of strength for her and she utilises this when needing to employ self-regulatory strategies to try maintain a calm-alert state in the classroom.

However, Kianah does not appear to register tactile input adequately, which in turn impacts on her ability to accurately discriminate tactile input. If she cannot register th...

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...culty, rather than a sensory integrative dysfunction. Functionally, this contributes to her poor fine motor skills and endurance when writing.

In conclusion, Kianah has a sensory integrative dysfunction in her somatosensory system which impacts on her somatopraxis, bilateral integration and sequencing, and haptic form and space perception. In addition, her poor visual spatial perception leads to problems in visuopraxia. These areas of dysfunction negatively affect her gross and fine motor skills, and result in functional difficulties in her self-care, school and play occupations. Kianah presents with additional difficulties in attention and concentration, which may be a result of her sensory integrative dysfunction or as a result of other neurological conditions such as ADHD. She also presents with residual weakness in the proximal stability of her upper limbs.

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