Gelisim News

If your child cannot perform an easy task, she or he may have "sensory processing disorder"!

The five senses we use enable us to communicate with the outside world in daily life. Asst. Prof. Dr. Gülşah Konakoğlu stated that children with sensory processing disorder may need more stimulation even in order to perform an ordinary skill. Parents should also be educated during the treatment process.

We hear “sensory integration” term a lot these days. Sensory integration is known as a neurological information process that organizes the senses from the body and the environment. While using our five senses allows us to communicate with the outside world in daily life, there are also internal senses that control the position, movement and position of the body against gravity. Asst. Prof. Dr. Gülşah Konakoğlu, from Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU), Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, stated that the brain constantly uses its selection, filtering and development features in the sensory organization process and  that this process forms the basis of behavior and learning.

“Dysfunctional sensory adaptation makes performance and participation in daily activities difficult”

In daily life, the ability to carry out various activities in a meaningful and purposeful way is provided by sensory harmony. Sensory integration disorder causes varying degrees of problems in development, processing information, and behavior as a result of the inability to properly integrate or regulate sensory input in the brain. Stating that the development of adequate sensory adaptation and processing is a pioneer for learning and behavior, Asst. Prof. Dr.Gülşah Konakoğlu: “Dysfunction in sensory adaptation makes performance and participation in daily activities difficult. When the brain cannot process sensory information effectively, it is reflected in behavior and learning is inhibited.”

“A hypersensitive child may be uncomfortable with being touched, crowded places and loud noises”

The symptoms of sensory integration disorder vary depending on which sense is affected, how this sense is affected, and the severity of the disorder. Expressing that these disorders can sometimes be seen in one or more than one sensory system, Konakoğlu added the following: ““There are three subtypes of sensory integration disorder. These; hypersensitivity, under-sensitivity, and sense-seeking. In such situations, children may give unusual responses to an ordinary stimulus. For example; A hypersensitive child may feel uncomfortable being touched, crowded places and loud noises. A under-sensitive child, on the other hand, cannot receive enough sensory information, and needs more stimulus even to perform an ordinary skill.’’

“Parents must be educated to become aware of the child's previously unrecognized reactions and emotions that cannot be understood”

In sensory integration treatment, the therapist helps the child develop appropriate behaviors by arranging activities and the environment according to his/her sensory profile. Stating that it is very important to raise awareness in this treatment process, Asst. Prof. Dr. Gülşah Konakoğlu:“Parents must be educated to raise awareness about the child's previously unrecognized reactions and emotions. By using sensory attunement, children can exhibit higher levels of gross motor and fine motor skills. It can also increase their confidence. She or he can manage his/her self-control better.”