BS.ZOOLOGY

6th SEMESTER(MORNING)

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

UNIVERSITY OF SARGODHA

SARGODHA

SENSORY PROCESSING

The Sensory Systems work together and give us accurate picture of the world and our place in it. The brain uses sensory info in an organized way

Sensory Processing Is the receiving and perceiving of sensory information.Usually integration of sensory info is done without effort.

Function of sensation is to aid in perception, the control of movement, and maintenance of arousal

Sensory Processing Processes

1. Stimulus

2. Detection

3. Transmission

4. Perception

5. Conciousness

The Sensory Systems1. Tactile System

Largest and first system to develop

Tactile receptors throughout the body

Touch is important as an embryo and after birth

Types of Touch:

Light touch

Pressure touch

Vibration

Temperature

Pain Sensations

Primary function of the tactile system is to help one feel comfortable with self and environment

Discriminative

Protective

2. Auditory System

Receptors are located in the ear and give us info about sound

Has close connections with the vestibular system

Auditory processing : how the brain and central nervous system recognize and make sense of sounds

3. Visual System

Sensory receptors located in the eye with info sent to the brain to be perceived, sorted and processed

Visual and vestibular connection

Visual system is important to the learning of new motor skills until it becomes familiar.

4. Olfactory System

Primitive system with receptors located in the nose and give us our sense of smell

Smells travel directly to the limbic system, the center of our emotions, memory, pleasure, and learning

Smell and taste are intimately connected

5. Gustatory System

Receptors located in the mouth and tongue are plentiful

Tastes: sweet , salty , bitter, sour

A little about Neurotransmitters/ Neurochemicals: Dopamine : Activation chemical: makes us want to move, helps us feel focused, enables

us to concentrate

• is the pleasure chemical, is the chemical of the emotional brain center

• pressure touch with TLC enhances dopamine the fastest

Serotonin : this is the master modulator, makes us feel that all is okay and we are safe/ content

• responsible for working memory and for ME in the picture

• gets depleted under stress, can go into shutdown

• proprioception/ joint input/ heavy work enhances Serotonin which can enhance Dopamine

Norepinephrine: chemical for selective attention

• novelty triggers Norepinephrine

• contributes to the activation of fight/ flight/ fright response

• use proprioception/ joint compression/ heavy work to enhance activation of Norepinephrine

Sensory processing disorder

Sensory processing disorder or SPD is a hypothesized neurological disorder. While SPD is not yet recognized in standard medical manuals that refer to a range of difficulties with taking in, processing, and responding to sensory information about the environment and from within one's own body (visual, auditory, tactile, olfaction,gustatory, vestibular, and proprioception).

For those identified as having SPD, sensory information may be sensed and perceived in a way that is different from most other people. Unlike blindness or deafness, sensory information can be received by people with SPD, the difference is that information is often registered, interpreted and processed differently by the brain. The result can be unusual ways of responding or behaving, finding things harder to do. Difficulties may typically present as difficulties planning and organizing, problems with doing the activities of everyday life (self care, work and leisure activities), and for some with extreme sensitivity, sensory input may result in extreme avoidance of activities, agitation, distress, fear or confusion.

Some state that sensory processing disorder is a distinct diagnosis, while others argue that differences in sensory responsiveness are features of other diagnoses. The American Academy of Pediatrics, for example, advises against a diagnosis of SPD unless it is a symptom due to autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, developmental coordination disorder, or childhood anxiety disorder.

There is no known cure; however, several therapies have been developed to treat SPD.Because the amount of research regarding the effectiveness of SPD therapy is limited and inconclusive.

Sensory Behaviors and Sensory Strategies:

Head banging/ ear flicking (vestibular /proprioception/deep tactile/ rhythm): provide strong movement/ proprioception as swinging, swimming, biking, use ball/ mini-tramp, chair/ wall pushups

Excessive mouthing/ chewing on non-food items (proprioception/ tactile): chewy, crunchy-chewy foods, strong flavors of food, battery toothbrush/ massager

Smelling (gustatory/ olfactory): provide strong flavors as cinnamon/ lemon/ peppermint

Complains about performing hygiene, clothing and food textures (tactile defensiveness): provide deep touch input the whole body as wrapped in blanket/ sheet, heavy work input, analyze clothing and food textures, social stories

Rocking –standing (proprioception, vestibular, rhythm): appropriate rhythmical activities, seat inserts/ ball, movement breaks

Rocking in chair/ seat (vestibular/proprioception, rhythm): provide movement breaks, sit on cushion/ ball, play/ sing rhythmical music

Teeth grinding (proprioception, auditory, vibration): mini massagers, battery toothbrush, blow toys, chewies, crunchy and chewy foods

Physical strategies for those that are more active/ difficulty sitting: cushion/ ball, varied positions as on stomach/ standing (with marked off space), rocking chair, sit in small tent/ quiet area

Decrease distractions for those who are sensitive/ easily distracted: minimize all objects around, store unnecessary items, turn lights on low, put work in hallway

Calming Activities For those that are over active:

• Visual: dim lights, unchanging visual stimuli, quiet corner/space, preferential seating looking away from doors/ windows

• Auditory: use soft voice/ slower speech, familiar, rhythm sounds, 60 beats per minute, rain stick

• Tactile: items that are simple shapes, smooth, warm, familiar, soothing, wrap snugly within blanket, neutral warmth is relaxing, being squished in a mat, steamroller

• Olfactory: relaxing scents as lavender and vanilla

• Gustatory/ Tactile: sweet tastes and sucking are also relaxing