Sensory Integration

Sensory Integration is the neurological process that organises sensation from one’s own body and from the environment and makes it possible for use in daily occupation (Ayres, A.J. 1979). It includes how your brain processes sensation and your response regarding attention/arousal, emotions and behaviour.

Neurological Threshold

Each person processes sensory information differently and therefore has individual sensory preferences as well as -dislikes. The way in which you react to sensation is determined by your neurological threshold. Neurological thresholds occur on a continuum from very low to very high. A person with a low neurological threshold needs little sensory stimulation to “fire” their brain and is easily over stimulated, whereas a high threshold requires lots of stimulation to get started.

Sensory defensiveness and anxiety

Research indicates a strong link between emotional dysregulation (depression and anxiety/stress) and sensory defensiveness. Sensory defensiveness is a condition which includes symptoms such as tension, anxiety, avoidance behaviour, stress, anger and sometimes even violence, which results from a defensive reaction (fight/flight) to an overwhelming sensory world. People with sensory defensiveness are overly sensitive, bothered and distracted by sensation. These people may be described as being irritable, anxious, perfectionistic, picky, critical, controlling, rigid, negative, pushy, aggressive and can’t tolerate change. When these individuals become too overwhelmed (fight/flight), their protective mechanism is to shift into shutdown which appears the same as low registration (see below), which in actual fact is a state of freeze/dissociation (immobilisation).

Sensory Underresponsivity

Individuals who have low registration of sensory information may appear sluggish, slower to respond, miss information, tired, bored, uninterested or not mentally present. People with low registration in their senses might use coping skills to disengage from stressors, resulting in negative attachment behaviours. They may appear inattentive and emotionally withdrawn.

Sensory Regulation

Self-regulation is when you adjust or adapt your attention/arousal, emotions or behaviour appropriately in direct proportion to the input/event. Sensory-sensitive or sensory under-responsive individuals have difficulty with self-regulation and may overreact, or may not respond to sensation at all.