Sensory Processing Disorder And Developmental Psychologist, Dr. Anna Jean Ayres Essay

The way information is processed can be described as hypersensitive or hyposensitive. The sensory system can be viewed as having seven components:

The human life span is from conception to death and can be divided into eight different developmental periods. This essay will focus on the early childhood period that ranges from two to five or six years of age. Firstly, this essay will describe the typical developmental milestones during early childhood and how they play an important role in each developmental stage that follows. Secondly, it will analyse how the home and educational environments influence early childhood. Finally, it will define Auditory Processing Disorder and the characteristics of a child with this condition. This essay will demonstrate the significant impact Auditory Processing Disorder can have significant effects on development and in the future.

A. Jean Ayres. Ayres’ was an occupational therapist that was responsible for the foundation and practice of sensory integration theory (W&S). Sensory integration theory is used to explain behavior, plan intervention, and predict how behavior will change through intervention (Roley et al., 2007). Ayres’ focus was on the organization of the central nervous system and how it was involved in the process of children using sensory information. Ayres’ theory of sensory integration describes how the neurological process relates to the recognition and organization of sensation from the body and environment (Devlin et al., 2010). This disorganization can lead to problems with learning, development, and behavior and also has a negative impact on occupational performance. In relation to the topic of Wilbargers’ DPPT, the focus of the articles collected was related to theoretical research on one particular sensory modulation problem defined by Ayres: tactile defensiveness. Tactile defensiveness is exhibited through the negative influence of touch avoidance symptoms (Moore & Henry, 2002). The aim of the Wilbargers’ DPPT is to utilize the connection between the client’s tactile sensation through the skin and nervous system to improve and normalize the sensation of

These activities are not exclusive but many interlink with each other (Roper et al 1996). Upon assessment not all of the ADL’s were presenting with any obstacles. The ADL’s which were seen to need intervention were maintaining a safe environment and mobility due to his decreased sight, difficulty with hearing and problems with walking. The communication ADL is appropriate as hearing and non verbal communication in the form of eye contact is diminished (Rawlings 2004).

The term “sensory diet”, was coined by Patricia Wilbarger and included an individualized activity plan designed with the emphasis on timing, intensity, and sensory qualities and intended to decrease sensory defensiveness (P. Wilbarger & Wilbarger, 2001). Currently, the term “sensory diet” is used by therapists to refer to interventions that use sensorimotor activities multiple times a day to facilitate the participants’ ability to organize sensory stimuli. For this study, sensory diet will encompass an individualized activity plan consisting of a variety of activities to deliver vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile or a combination of sensory stimuli to facilitate sensory processing skills throughout a school day.

Repetitive behavior may be a way to cope with sensory sensitivity. This sensitivity may also affect body awareness and the vestibular system.

Spdfoundation1. (2010, April 10). In the clinic with Dr. A Jean Ayres/ The Sensory Integration Processing Disorder Foundation [Video File] Retrieved From

Sensory Integration would help Jessie respond better when feeling overwhelming to his schoolwork and working with others, as well as helping Jessie regulate his behaviors especially during transitions in school. With this frame of reference, the use of controlled sensory input can help Jessie facilitate appropriate adaptive responses. The more adaptive responses Jessie is able to make, the more organized her brain becomes and the ability to integrate sensory stimuli becomes more

‘Basic ADL impairments are when someone can’t perform self-care activates, like standing up from a chair, eating and even getting the bathroom. So, once they can’t do simply daily

Tourette’s syndrome is a disorder that makes its host produce unwanted movement and/or sound. The condition may contain one or both symptoms. Tourette's disorder is an issue with the sensory system that causes individuals to make sudden developments or sounds, called tics, that is beyond the hosts control. The disorder is named for the pioneer in French neurosurgery, Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette, when he discovered it in a French citizen in 1885. The symptoms for Tourette's syndrome are first seen in early childhood between the ages of 3 and 9 years of age. The disorder is not limited to one ethnic group. Men are 3 to 4 times

Two parallel forms of the ADLS forms were constructed by comparing two different scoring methods. ADLS is a 14 item scale that has patients report on their ability to perform daily activities with their symptoms. The standard form scores the first column “no difficulty”

This section also discusses the theoretical rationale and key components of the sensory diet. The impact of SPD on children’s participation in classroom activities and the development will be discussed using the Occupational Adaptation theory (Schkade & Schultz, 1992; Schultz & Schkade, 1992).

The PEO model is an appropriate tool to use to diagnose a person with Down Syndrome (DS) and motor disabilities. The PEO model of practice has three main components which include the person (P), environment (E), and occupation (O), which will be used for the interventions in this case study. According to Rousseau, Potvin, Dutil, and Falta (2002), knowing the individual’s environment and how it interacts with the person is one of the essential key factors needed to provide effective treatment and intervention in occupational therapy. More specifically, the interaction between the person and the environment are major considerations to gain normal abilities because the nature of the DS is different compared to the other diagnosis. Down syndrome

Sensory Integration Disorder was a more personal video detailing the discussion between what appears to be a mother and her daughter. The daughter has multiple sensory related issues. While this can be common to have reactions to many different types of stimuli it is also common to have sensitivity to one type. Sensory integration disorder creates a traffic jam type of issue in the brain when receiving different stimuli and they are interpreted incorrectly (STAR, 2016)). An example for this young girl is

Four year olds are still very much learning through the use of their senses (Blaustein, 2005). As well, some children may have special needs concerning sensory processing and integration (Ayers, 1994). Children with sensory processing disorders range from over-responsive, under-responsive, to sensory craving (Ayers, 1994). Nonetheless, every person encounters a plethora of sensory stimuli each day and must take in information and integrate it with prior knowledge to make meaningful responses (Ayers, 1994). Multisensory centers provide young children with and without special needs with the opportunity to seek out sensory stimulation, acquire sensory integration and motor skills, learn coping skills, and understand basic scientific concepts (Blaustein, 2005).