{"id":14442,"date":"2026-02-04T16:53:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T21:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/physioextra.ca\/?post_type=expertise&p=14442"},"modified":"2026-02-04T16:53:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T21:53:09","slug":"sensory-integration","status":"publish","type":"expertise","link":"https:\/\/physioextra.ca\/en\/expertise\/sensory-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"Sensory Integration"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is a sensory processing disorder?<\/h2>\n

There are seven senses that allow us to perceive our environment:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Touch (touch, texture, temperature, pain)<\/li>\n
  2. Vision (light, shapes, colors, movement)<\/li>\n
  3. Hearing (sounds, rhythm, volume)<\/li>\n
  4. Taste<\/li>\n
  5. Smell<\/li>\n
  6. Vestibular sense (contributes to balance)<\/li>\n
  7. Proprioception (helps us orient ourselves in space)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    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).<\/p>\n

    In some individuals, the processing of this information may present specific patterns, resulting in hyper-reactivity or hypo-reactivity.<\/p>\n

    Hyper-sensitive or hypo-sensitive?<\/h3>\n

    Hyper-sensitivity (or hyper-reactivity)<\/strong> 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).<\/p>\n

    Hypo-sensitivity (or hypo-reactivity)<\/strong> 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).<\/p>\n

    How can these sensory differences be recognized?<\/h2>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    A hyper-reactive<\/strong> 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<\/em> may occur: when stimulation becomes too intense and the person is unable to regain balance, they may freeze<\/em>. During sensory overload, the person feels tired, exhausted, overstimulated, and has difficulty calming down and staying attentive.<\/p>\n

    Conversely, a hypo-reactive<\/strong> person has a higher tolerance threshold and requires more stimulation to respond. They may appear disengaged, passive, or have a reduced level of alertness.<\/p>\n

    Article you may be interested in: Understanding and managing sensory differences in children<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

    Which conditions can involve sensory processing difficulties?<\/h2>\n

    The most common conditions include:<\/p>\n