We are all sensory beings and need accurate information from the environment in order to function in our daily lives. Parents that have children with sensory processing problems may be aware of the important role that sensory processing plays in our everyday lives. Often, the average person takes for granted the brains ability to take in sensory information, process the input, and make an appropriate response according to the information provided. For example, what happens when you are driving along and you see a stop sign? Your eyes take in the visual information (red, hexagon, letters STOP), your brain processes the information (have I seen this sign before, what have I done in the past, what needs to happen now... the car needs to stop), and the brain sends out a motor response to your foot to step on the break. All of this happens within a split second when your sensory system is working smoothly. What happens when there is a problem?
People receive continuous information from the environment from sensory receptors. The five well known senses are visual, auditory, gustatory (taste), olfactory (smell), and tactile. There are seven senses all together. The two lesser known senses are proprioceptive and vestibular. The proprioceptive sense is provided by receptors located in muscles and tendons that stretch in response to muscle movement and allow our body to know where we are in space and grade muscle movements. The receptors for the vestibular sense are located within the ear canal and allow us to perceive linear and rotary movement.
Sensory processing dysfunction can lead to hyposensitivity and/or hypersensitivity. Hyposensitivity is under-responsiveness to sensory input. For instance, you are standing right next to a child calling his or her name and he/she does not respond. The difference between hyposensitivity and deafness or blindness is that the sensory input is registered in brain centers but the information is not properly processed at the brain level. Hypersensitivity is an over-reaction to sensory input. For example, a child withdraws from a light tap on the shoulder or avoids hugs due to "they hurt." Hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity are not on a continuum and people can have hypersensitivities in one area and hyposensitivities in another.
Our sensory systems are dynamic and (when functioning properly) modulate toward a state of homeostasis or balance. We need sensory input in order for our brains to develop and function properly. Sensory input allows us to form new neural connections and learn new skills.
No comments:
Post a Comment