A follow up reminder to 20/20 SID Coverage

July 23, 2000

Hi everyone,

For those of you who are interested.

Note: Chat live with Lucy , Ph.D, the field's leading expert on Monday

at 2 p.m. ET. at http://www.abcnews.com

Bad Sensations

Children With Sensory Integration Dysfunction

Lucy

Imagine a child's world in which certain sounds are unbearable and the

slightest touch painful. Children who suffer from Sensory Integration

Dysfunction live in such a world. Is there a treatment? How do children

with this disease learn to cope with the sensations that overwhelm them.

Join Lucy , Ph.D., a leading expert in the field, in a live chat on

Monday July 24, at 2 p.m. ET. Post your questions now and join us when

the

chat is live. Remember, your comments will not be seen until posted by the

moderator.

, Philadelphia

Note: Chat live with Lucy , Ph.D, the field's leading expert on Monday

at 2 p.m. ET. at http://www.abcnews.com

Bad Sensations

Children With Sensory Integration Dysfunction

Lucy

Imagine a child's world in which certain sounds are unbearable and the

slightest touch painful. Children who suffer from Sensory Integration

Dysfunction live in such a world. Is there a treatment? How do children

with this disease learn to cope with the sensations that overwhelm them.

Join Lucy , Ph.D., a leading expert in the field, in a live chat on

Monday July 24, at 2 p.m. ET. Post your questions now and join us when

the

chat is live. Remember, your comments will not be seen until posted by the

moderator.

=================================================

http://www.abcnews.go.com/onair/2020/2020_000721_sensoryintegration_feature.

html

July 21 - For most children, the exploration of new sights and sounds is

exhilarating.

But for 5-year-old Tanner, noise can be painfully overwhelming, setting

him off on a temper tantrum. Even his own mother's touch can be traumatic

for him.

" There were times when I couldn't understand how upset he would get, "

says his mother, . " It didn't seem just behavioral to me. It seemed

something else was going on. "

In fact, there was something else going on. After years of searching

for answers, Tanner was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction,

abbreviated DSI (Dysfunction in Sensory Integration, so as not to be

confused with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS).

What Is the Condition?

DSI is a complex neurological disorder, manifested by difficulty processing

sensations. DSI causes children to process sensation from the environment

or

from their bodies in an inaccurate way, resulting in " sensory avoiding "

patterns. Children with DSI can also have " sensory seeking " patterns or

" dyspraxia, " a motor planning problem.

Children with sensory seeking patterns do not always process that

sensory input is coming in to the brain, so they may seek out more intense

or longer duration sensory experiences. Those with sensory avoiding

tendencies have nervous systems that feel sensation too easily or too much.

They are overly responsive to sensation, so certain sounds and touches may

feel painful, making them respond with aggression or withdrawal. Children

with dyspraxia have difficulty with fine- and gross-motor skills and

trouble

with balance.

Like Tanner, 6-and-a-half-year-old Emma Reinhardt is overly sensitive

to sensation.

" Things that can be just simply annoying to the rest of us, can

actually be painful to her, " says her mother, Terri Reinhardt.

For example, Emma's head is extremely sensitive to touch and she finds

the sound of running water painful, so washing her hair generally involves

kicking, screaming and crying. The size and feel of a bathtub also

frightens

Emma, so she usually takes a bath in a small bucket in the kitchen.

Whenever

her brother plays the violin, she screams, and clipping her toenails is an

ordeal.

Improving Quality of Life

Though Sensory Integration Dysfunction can often go undetected or be

misdiagnosed, it can be treated. Occupational therapy can facilitate the

development of the nervous system's ability to process sensory input in a

more normal way.

In Emma's case, an occupational therapist works with her to confront

the sensation she fears. To change her reaction to sound, she is encouraged

to blow a toy whistle while she swings an activity that calms her. To learn

how to cope with her sensitivity to touch, the occupational therapist

strokes her arms with brushes.

" If we can find these kids early, we can prevent them from losing

self-esteem, " says Lucy , Ph.D., an occupational therapist who

directs

the Sensory Integration Dysfunction Treatment and Research center at The

Children's Hospital in Denver. " We can prevent school failure, we can

prevent all kinds of family problems. "

While therapy is not a cure, some experts speculate that it may

actually change the way the brain experiences sensations, so that the child

can begin to respond in a more normal way.

For Tanner, such therapy has made all the difference.

" Therapy for Tanner has completely given him quality of life back, "

his

mother says. Her son is happier, has fewer outbursts and gets along better

with people.

And now the loving touch of his mother no longer leaves Tanner

shouting

in pain.

Q & A: Sensory Integration Dysfunction

What kind of behavior might indicate this condition?

Children with sensory seeking patterns may be hyperactive, unaware of touch

or pain, touch others too often, engage in unsafe behaviors, such as

climbing too high, or enjoy sounds that are too loud. Those with sensory

avoiding behaviors may respond to being touched with aggression or

withdrawal, be overly cautious or afraid to try new things, uncomfortable

in

loud or busy environments, or overly sensitive to smells. With children who

have dyspraxia, some behaviors that can be observed are difficulty with

fine- and gross-motor skills, clumsy and awkward movements and trouble with

balance.

How is Sensory Integration Dysfunction diagnosed?

Sensory Dysfunction is usually diagnosed by an occupational therapist, a

speech and language pathologist or by a physical therapist. The primary

standardized assessment tool for children ages 4 through 8 who may have

learning, behavioral or developmental delays is the Sensory Integration and

Praxis Test, which can be administered by a therapist who is SIPT

certified.

Therapists also use clinical observation and parent-teacher interviews to

assess sensory integration dysfunction.

How is Sensory Integration Dysfunction treated?

Occupational Therapy is used to treat the condition, with the goal of

enabling children to take part in the normal activities of childhood. For

example, therapists may evaluate how a child perceives sensation and how

that affects his/her emotions, attention, motor skill or learning

abilities.

Treatment, which usually occurs in a sensory-enriched gym with tactile,

visual, auditory and taste opportunities, can facilitate the development of

the nervous system's ability to process sensory input in a more normal way.