Sensory Motor Integration
Why Sensory Motor Integration?
I’ve pursued multiple approaches to movement and sensory learning. HANDLE (Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency), Yoga, Reflex Patterning Integration, Waldorf Developmental Education, and MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration) are all in my tool kit for engaging learning and movement.
Sensory Motor Integration deepens Structural Integration and vice versa. Through my clients, I’ve seen changes and development occur that were facilitated through the mutual strengths of these approaches working together.
I incorporate movement activities to develop and organize sensory capacity and function from the most primary level (smell, taste, and touch) through to human being’s complex highly developed capacities (running, reading, math, and communication).
I often incorporate Structural Integration and Cranial Sacral Therapy to free the body of blockages and lay fertile groundwork where learning activities take hold with the least resistance and the most support.
For adults who are aging, these activities restore capacities that are being lessened or thwarted due to structural collapse or tension. Sensory capacities that are decreasing due to overuse, or damage, can be strengthened or restored.
HANDLE
The key method I incorporate in my practice to support sensory-motor integration is HANDLE, movement activities that develop and organize sensory capacities.
Are you confused by your child’s behavior?
Sensory processing difficulties may produce:
- Headaches can be due to light sensitivity.
Difficulty sleeping can be due to low proprioception - Panic can be due to auditory overwhelm
- Anxiety can be due to olfactory sensitivity
- Postural slump can be due to low muscle tone
- Dizziness can be due to a weak vestibular system
- Feelings of skin discomfort can be due to irregular tactile processing
Sensory overwhelm may show up as:
- Physical aversion can be due to tactile sensitivity
- Strong emotional responses can be due to olfactory sensitivity
- Fussy eaters may have sensitive taste buds
- Refusal to groom, brush teeth, or dress, may be due to tactile sensitivity
- Avoidance of movement maybe due to vestibular overwhelm
- Aversion to crowds may be to proprioceptive overwhelm
- Head hanging may be due to light sensitivity
Sensory input deficiency may exhibit as:
- Pushing increases proprioception
- Jumping incessantly increases vestibular input
- Looking at people sideways increases peripheral vision
- Turning your ears towards people makes it easier to hear
- Banging your head can stop overwhelming tactile or vestibular processing
- Holding your breath increases your ability to balance and listen
- Shouting can limit vestibular overwhelm