Sensory Integration Therapy
For the child with ADHD, Autism, or any form of neurological dysfunction that affects a child's senses, their activity, and their enjoyment of the world, Libby Trutna, OTR and Erin Dolin, OTR are Physiomotion's certified specialists in Sensory Integration Therapy.
Sensory Integration Therapy is a rather new and very necessary form of recovery for both parents and children. Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) is often misdiagnosed by doctors, and Sensory Integration Therapy has proven very hard to come by, with up to a two-year waiting list for treatment.
Wait no more.
Children with SI Dysfunction may avoid touch, refuse to wear certain clothing, be picky eaters, or cover their eyes or ears. Conversely, they may crave sensations - playing in mud, grabbing others, turning up the volume, preferring hot bathwater and spicy food - and seem oblivious to sensory clues.
Sensory Integration Therapy is performed by our Occupation Therapists who hold their Sensory Integration Therapy Certification. Essentially, it's a type of play that makes children better at everything they do, and help them to 'mainstream' into a society filled with sensory overload.
These children may seek out movement, swinging, twirling, jumping, or 'plant themselves,' avoiding active games.
If your child drops out of activities, claiming to be tired, or move slowly, or if they are constantly on the go, many doctors will be quick to prescribe medication, claiming excessive ADHD or Autistic signals...where often Sensory Integration Therapy will be the more appropriate choice for your child.
If your child is awkward, seemingly careless, or accident-prone, these may be the tell-tale symptoms which are the first clues to SI Dysfunction, where the messages from the sense are not correctly processing through the central nervous system.
This type of therapy can bring both hope and practical help to parents who wonder why their kid doesn't "fit in."
Both Libby and Erin have shown fantastic success with autistic children, for whom this therapy is invaluable. Libby's fondest memory was when an autistic boy hugged his mommy for the first time thanks to Sensory Integration Therapy.
If you are wondering about your child, please call to schedule an appointment with Libby or Erin. They will also be more than happy to meet with and help to educate your personal physician on this fairly new and often misdiagnosed condition.
Early Diagnosis and Treatment Is SO Important! This dysfunction is often subtle and can cause a bewildering variety of symptoms. Because their central nervous systems are ineffective in processing sensory information, children with their hidden difficulty have a hard time functioning in daily life.
Most parents, educators, doctors, and mental health professionals have difficulty in recognizing SI Dysfunction. Because they don't recognize the problem, they may mistake a child's behavior, low self-esteem, or reluctance to participate in ordinary childhood experiences for hyperactivity, learning disabilities, or emotional problems.
Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial...while older children and even adults can improve with treatment, it is early intervention that produces the most dramatic results.
The screening process is fun for the children, and allows Libby and Erin a chance to explain sensory integration to you, the parent. Learning that the problem is treatable and SI Dysfunction in no way suggests that your child is mentally deficient or that you are inadequate parents. Actually, the opposite is true! For wanting to help guide your child to the proper therapy they need, you are doing the very best thing for them!
Call 298-1813 today to schedule an appointment. We are happy to obtain authorization from your insurance and also have private pay options. Again, education of your doctor is important to us and to your child, and Libby and Erin are more than willing to meet with your physician to discuss Sensory Integration Dysfunction or the use of SI Therapy for your child!
Central California Chapter of the Autism Society of America
Some of this information was taken from the book "The Out-of-Sync Child" by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A., a must-read for all parents, teachers, or physicians with an interest in Sensory Integration Dysfunction.
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