Controversial Sensory Integration Therapeutic Device Severs Pleasanton Child's F

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Controversial Sensory Integration Therapeutic Device Severs

Pleasanton Child's Finger, Crushes Nerves

Lawsuit Against 'The Sensory Center' Shows Hazards and Lack of Safety

Precautions for Experimental Sensory Integration Dysfunction Device

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=108817

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 02/06/2006 -- A lawsuit filed

in December 2005 in Alameda County Superior Court, by a Livermore

family, Terri and Max Sharbach, reveals the dangers of an

experimental device, 'The Oscillating Motion Bed' designed and

marketed by Pleasanton's The Sensory Center, a therapy center that

treats children with autism and other sensory processing disorders.

In addition, the suit sheds a harsh light on the lack of regulatory

standards for unproven sensory processing therapy. The lawsuit was

filed on behalf of the Sharbachs by plaintiff rights law firm Hersh &

Hersh.

Terri Sharbach looked forward to meeting with representatives of The

Sensory Center in late September 2005 in hopes they could provide

sensory integration therapy for her daughter, who has sensory

integration processing issues. According to the lawsuit, the meeting

turned disastrous when Sierra, age 4, caught her finger in the

exposed gears and moving parts of an unattended piece of therapeutic

equipment known as 'The Oscillating Motion Bed,' and the index finger

on the her left hand was severed and nerves were irreparably crushed.

" This tragic event could have been prevented if common sense

precautions had been taken to keep minors from freely accessing

unattended, potentially dangerous, equipment, " stated Hersh & Hersh

Attorney . " Sierra underwent a terrible ordeal and has

suffered a lifelong injury. For a family already dealing with the

stress and worry of a child with neurological disorders, this was the

last thing Sharbach family expected to have to deal with when seeking

therapeutic treatment for their daughter. "

Sensory integration therapy is purported to improve the way the brain

processes and organizes external stimuli, such as touch, movement,

body awareness and sound and is used for treating autism, mental

retardation and learning disabilities. Few insurance companies cover

these experimental treatments because they consider them to be

unproven. Many of these treatments are not provided by certified

medical staff and vary widely in quality and reputability.

The complaint states that as Terri Sharbach met with representatives

of The Sensory Center to discuss treatments for her daughter, Sierra

was permitted to wander about the center with no caution or warnings

from the management or staff about potentially dangerous equipment on

the premises. When Sierra caught her hand in the exposed gears of the

unattended, moving Oscillating Motion Bed, her agonized screams

alerted Mrs. Sharbach to her daughter's plight.

This case provides an eye-opening example of the potential,

unanticipated safety hazards of experimental, non-medically approved

devices and serves as a caution to parents in desperate search of

alternative therapies to help their children suffering from

neurological disorders.

" This case is a sober reminder to parents of children with

neurological disorders to be wary of unorthodox sensory integration

practices that are dubious, and at times downright dangerous, as in

the case of little Sierra Sharbach, " added attorney .