Occupational therapy focused on sensory integration is intended for individuals of all ages, although it most often involves children, whose participation in daily activities is impacted by sensory-motor difficulties. These challenges can affect several areas of a person’s life, including their behavior, relationships and interactions with others, learning abilities, independence, and leisure activities.
What is a sensory processing disorder?
There are seven senses that allow us to perceive our environment:
- Touch (touch, texture, temperature, pain)
- Vision (light, shapes, colors, movement)
- Hearing (sounds, rhythm, volume)
- Taste
- Smell
- Vestibular sense (contributes to balance)
- Proprioception (helps us orient ourselves in space)
Our senses continuously send sensory information to the brain, which organizes it and then sends signals so that the body can produce appropriate responses to environmental demands. This process is known as sensory integration.
Conversely, a sensory integration disorder or difficulty affects behavior (level of alertness, attention, reactions, social interactions, emotional regulation), movements, and daily life habits (play, work, activities of daily living).
In some individuals, the processing of this information may present specific patterns, resulting in hyper-reactivity or hypo-reactivity.
Hyper-sensitive or hypo-sensitive?
Hyper-sensitivity (or hyper-reactivity) means that the person perceives certain stimuli as excessive or uncomfortable (for example, normal sounds may seem unbearably loud, or certain textures may trigger aversion).
Hypo-sensitivity (or hypo-reactivity) involves a reduced perception of sensory information (for example, a child may not feel certain types of pain, seek intense stimulation, or appear indifferent to sensory cues in their environment).
How can these sensory differences be recognized?
These differences can disrupt sensory modulation, which is the ability to respond appropriately to stimuli. This skill involves processing the intensity, duration, and frequency of stimulation, paying attention to relevant input, and filtering background stimuli to avoid overload. Poor modulation can lead to agitation, avoidance behaviors, or attention difficulties, limiting participation in activities.
A hyper-reactive person may have difficulty ignoring background stimuli, organizing themselves in environments with multiple stimuli, or refocusing during unstructured activities, in open spaces, or during transitions. A phenomenon known as a shutdown may occur: when stimulation becomes too intense and the person is unable to regain balance, they may freeze. During sensory overload, the person feels tired, exhausted, overstimulated, and has difficulty calming down and staying attentive.
Conversely, a hypo-reactive person has a higher tolerance threshold and requires more stimulation to respond. They may appear disengaged, passive, or have a reduced level of alertness.
Article you may be interested in: Understanding and managing sensory differences in children
Which conditions can involve sensory processing difficulties?
The most common conditions include:
- Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Motor development disorders or dyspraxia
- Anxiety disorders
- Learning disorders
- Sensory processing or sensory integration disorders (formerly known as “sensory information processing disorders”) and sensory modulation difficulties (hyper/hypo-reactivity, sensory seeking, sensory avoidance)
What does sensory integration in occupational therapy involve?
Individuals with sensory integration difficulties may struggle to process and organize information coming from their senses. These challenges can affect regulation, attention, motor coordination, and the ability to carry out daily activities.
The occupational therapist assesses how the adult or child perceives and responds to various stimuli (tactile, visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, vestibular, and proprioceptive) and identifies the factors that limit participation in daily activities. The occupational therapist uses a sensory integration approach, offering individualized interventions based on adapted and playful activities that provide a wide range of sensory experiences (e.g., swings, peanut ball, scooter board, sensory bins). These interventions help the individual better process sensations, modulate their responses, and develop motor skills.
As such, consulting in occupational therapy for sensory difficulties is not about “correcting” a behavior, but rather about understanding the person’s unique sensory profile, adapting environments and activities, and supporting functional, emotional, and social development—while improving quality of life and active participation in daily routines.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How does a session with my child work?
A sensory integration occupational therapy session takes place in a specially adapted room equipped with tools such as swings, a trampoline, a scooter board, weighted balls, and texture bins. The equipment is selected based on the child’s needs and the functional goals identified in collaboration with the family. Each session includes proprioceptive, vestibular, and tactile activities tailored to the child’s sensory profile.
The intensity of stimulation is adjusted to maintain active engagement while supporting an optimal level of alertness. Each session offers appropriate challenges—stimulating enough to encourage adaptive responses, yet achievable to support the child’s self-confidence.
At the end of the session, time is dedicated to reviewing successes, observed behaviors, and recommendations with both the parents and the child, in order to help transfer learning into daily life. Follow-up sessions typically occur every 2 to 3 weeks, allowing the child and family time to practice strategies at home and in natural environments.
Article you may be interested in: Understanding and managing sensory differences in children
What are the sensory differences associated with autism (ASD)?
In children (or adults) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory responses are often different from those of typically developing individuals. Approximately 95% of autistic children are reported to have difficulties processing sensory information (Thimchek, 2007), and many studies confirm the high prevalence of sensory processing challenges.
These may present as heightened sensitivity, or increased seeking of, visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or food-related stimuli, as well as difficulties related to balance and body awareness. These sensory differences can significantly influence a child’s behavior and daily functioning.
What is sensory ADHD?
Children (or adults) with ADHD may experience sensory overload, as they often have difficulty filtering sensory input. This overload can lead to stress, anxiety, and reduced ability to concentrate. As a result, their level of alertness may be suboptimal for full participation in activities, as they struggle to process, organize, and respond appropriately to sensory input from both their environment and their own body.
Inattention
- Sensory overload makes it difficult to sort information.
- The child is easily distracted.
- Under-stimulation may lead the child to seek additional sensory input.
Hyper-reactivity
- The child moves frequently to meet sensory needs.
- They may show restlessness or tics.
- Highly stimulating environments can increase hyperactivity.
Impulsivity
- Reactions may be quick and poorly thought out.
- The child may act to reduce sensory discomfort.
- Frustration can lead to emotional outbursts.
What sensory challenges are associated with dyspraxia?
Dyspraxia is a motor development disorder that affects the planning, organization, and execution of movements. It is explained by the brain’s difficulty in receiving, organizing, and effectively using sensory information to produce an appropriate action. A sensory integration disorder or difficulty impacts the body’s ability to generate accurate and coordinated motor responses.
What is the difference between sensory integration and sensory modulation?
Sensory integration is a broad term that encompasses all types of sensory processing challenges.
Sensory modulation refers specifically to the nervous system’s ability to process the intensity, duration, and frequency of sensory input, to attend to relevant stimuli, and to filter background information in order to respond appropriately to the demands of the environment and the body.
Sensory modulation disorder may involve: aversive reactions to movement, gravitational insecurity, hyper-reactivity or hypo-reactivity, avoidance or withdrawal behaviors, distractibility, increased activity levels, and sensory seeking behaviors.
Sources :
- Ayres, A. J. (1979). Sensory Integration and the Child. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.
- Bundy, A. C., Lane, S. J., & Murray, E. A. (2019). Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice (3e éd.). F.A. Davis.
- Schaaf, R. C., & Mailloux, Z. (2015). Clinician’s Guide for Implementing Ayres Sensory Integration. AOTA Press.
- Miller, L. J., Anzalone, M. E., Lane, S. J., Cermak, S., & Osten, E. (2007). “Concepts Related to Sensory Processing.” American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
