Sensory Integration

Symptoms
Treatment
FAQs

Symptoms

Common Sensory Processing Problems

Easily Frustrated                             Academic Issues

Difficulty with transitions              Poor social skills

Issues with clothing                        Behavioral problems

Picky Eater                                       Gross/Fine motor delays

Intolerance of haircuts                   Language Delays

Sleep problems                                 Refusing / insisting on shoes

Infants

  • Dislikes touch or cuddling, arches back
  • Never sleeps, doesn’t develop a sleep or feeding schedule
  • Reflux
  • Dislikes tummy time and has trouble lifting head
  • Fussy in a car seat and baby swing
  • Takes unusually long time to nurse or bottle feed
  • Excessive need to suck, increases frequency of feeding

Toddlers

  • Several temper tantrums a day
  • Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep
  • Does not explore play ground
  • Speech delays or speech difficult to understand
  • Very picky eater
  • Difficulty separating from parent
  • Toe walking

Preschool

  • Speech Delays
  • Gross and fine motor delays
  • Extremes of behavior
  • Issues  with sleep
  • Activity level unusually high or low
  • Disconnected from environment

School Age

  • Expresses feelings of low  self-esteem
  • Difficulty acquiring academic skills
  • Compulsive behaviors
  • Difficulty with transitions
  • Sleep problems
  • Clumsy, cannot keep up with peers in sports
  • Poor organizational skills

Treatment

The frequency of treatment and interventions is dependent on each child’s individual issues. Consistency is the key to treatment and success.  Some of the therapeutic tools that we use at Excel are:

    • Interactive Metronome
      • To promote focus and attention, physical endurance and stamina, filtering of external and internal distractions, coordination and sequencing
    • Wilbarger Therapressure Protocol
      • Developed by Patricia Wilbarger, M.Ed., OTR, FAOTA, an internationally recognized expert who specializes in the assessment and treatment of sensory defensiveness.
    • Integrated Listening Systems
      • To improve auditory processing issues
    • Therapeutic Listening
      • To improve auditory processing issues
    • Visual-Vestibular techniques
      • To improve visual defensiveness, balance and coordination

FAQs

Why is the home program so important?

  • Why is the home program so important?
    A home program continues to support nervous system organization and optimal function after the treatment session ends. Many therapeutic interventions require consistent and correct follow thru to effectively work and change function.

Is sensory integration (SI) treatment new and why have I not heard of it before?

  • Is sensory integration (SI) treatment new and why have I not heard of it before?
    SI theory and treatment was developed by Jean Ayers, Occupational Therapist in the 1960’s. Since then, research continues to validate the importance of sensory processing function in overall development. SI treatment is more popular on the East and West Coast than in Central U.S. Referrals for SI assessment and evaluation have increased significantly in the past 10 years.

Will insurance reimburse me for my therapy?

  • Will insurance reimburse me for my therapy?
    Evaluation and treatment reimbursement of our services is dependent on each individual’s policy. We are in network providers for BCBS and Traditional Medicaid. However, most insurance will reimburse a set percentage amount for out-of-network interventions. On average, our clients receive 50 to 70 percent reimbursement for evaluation or treatment. You can call our office or your insurance company directly for more information.