🌟What is Sensory Integration (SI)?

Sensory integration is the process by which the brain receives, organizes, and responds to sensory input—like touch, sound, movement, and body awareness. Some children have trouble with this process, leading to:

• Overreaction or underreaction to stimuli (e.g., covering ears at loud sounds or not noticing when they’re touched)

• Difficulty with motor coordination

• Problems with focus, behavior, and emotional regulation

---

SI Therapy in Occupational Therapy

OTs trained in sensory integration use play-based, hands-on activities in a structured setting to help children gradually adapt to sensory input. Examples include:

• Swinging (to help with balance and movement awareness)

• Brushing therapy or deep pressure activities

• Playing in textured materials (like sand, shaving cream)

• Obstacle courses to improve coordination and spatial awareness

The therapist follows the child’s lead but subtly introduces challenges to promote new skills.

---

Goals of SI-based OT

• Improve attention, behavior, and emotional regulation

• Help the child feel more comfortable in their body

• Enhance fine and gross motor skills

• Support better functioning at home, school, and in social settings

Prewriting Skills Affected by Sensory Integration Issues:

• Tracing and drawing shapes (precursors to letter formation)

• Hand dominance development

• Grip strength and fine motor coordination

• Bilateral coordination (e.g., stabilizing paper with one hand while writing with the other)

• Crossing midline (important for fluid writing across the page)

✏️ How Sensory Integration Impacts Prewriting & Writing Skills

Before children are able to hold a pencil and write, they need to strengthen the muscles in their hands, fingers, and wrists through sensory activities. These playful, hands-on experiences not only strengthen muscles but also enhance sensory awareness, providing a solid foundation for future writing skills.

---

1. Tactile System (Touch) – ✋🧼

• Why it matters: Kids need to feel and respond to touch input to properly hold a pencil, control pressure, and form letters.

• Challenges if disrupted:

  • Avoids messy play (important for early prewriting)

  • Poor pencil grip due to either hypersensitivity (too much touch) or hyposensitivity (not enough feedback)

  • Over/under-pressure when writing or coloring — too light or heavy

---

2. Proprioceptive System (Body Awareness) – 💪🤸

• Why it matters: Helps kids know where their arms, hands, and fingers are in space without having to look.

• Challenges if disrupted:

  • Poor motor planning for writing strokes

  • Fatigues quickly when writing

  • Difficulty stabilizing the paper with one hand while writing with the other

  • Letters may be too big, uneven, or float off the line

---

3. Vestibular System (Balance & Postural Control) – 🌀🏃

• Why it matters: Supports posture and head control — both are crucial for staying upright at a desk and focusing on writing tasks.

• Examples of some Challenges if disrupted:

  • Slouches or leans on table while writing

  • Trouble sitting still long enough to complete writing tasks

  • Poor coordination of eyes and hands (needed for copying from board)