What is Sensory Integration Dysfunction (DSI) and how can it be treated?
The Condition What is Sensory Integration Dysfunction? Dysfunction in Sensory Integration (DSI) is a problem in processing sensations which causes difficulties in daily life. DSI is a complex neurological disorder, manifested by difficulty detecting, modulating, discriminating or integrating sensation adaptively. DSI causes children to process sensation from the environment or from their bodies in an inaccurate way, resulting in “sensory seeking” or “sensory avoiding” patterns or “dyspraxia,” a motor planning problem. What does DSI look like? DSI and Sensory Seeking These children have nervous systems that do not always process that sensory input is “coming in” to the brain. They are under-responsive to sensation. As a result, they seek out more intense or longer duration sensory experiences. Some behaviors that can be observed are: • Hyper-activity as they seek more and more movement input • Unawareness of touch or pain, or touching others too often or too hard (may seem aggressive) •
