Sensory Stimulation

“Sensory Integration (SI) is a neural process that helps one to receive, sort out and interpret sensory input” (Wheble & Hong, 2006, pg 177). It begins in the womb and continues throughout one’s lifespan. It is critically important that a variety of stimulation's are provided from birth as the most influential time of development occurs up until the age of 7. Infants and babies learn through their senses. If there is some sort of dysfunction that prevents them processing information, proper learning won’t occur and milestones will be delayed.

Roach (2004) states that at birth babies senses are heightened and that it is important not to be overloaded with too many stimulus. Overstimulation will increase a baby's stress levels and cause both physical and emotional stress symptoms to occur. Therefore it is important to find the just right level of stimulation for the child and this can be done through managing the infants sensory diet.

With Sensory Stimulation it is important to get the 'just right challenge'. Parham & Mailloux (2005) state that the just right challenge should challenge the child but should not be at a level that is unachievable. A Sensory diet as defined by Parham (2005) is the best combination of sensations at the appropriate intensities. In order not too bombard infants with sensory information it is important that their sensory diet consists of stimuli that is introduced naturally and gradually, this typically involves focusing on one stimulus at a time.

Finally Roach (2004) states that " there is a fine line between providing beneficial stimulation and over-stimulating a new-born... a happy medium needs to be achieved" (p 535).

A good website I found is http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/index.html I recommend that you click on this link and check out this website as it has some good points on what over stimulation looks like in babies. It clarified lots of points especially around early intervention and sensory diet. I felt it also did a good job of breaking down the OT profession and describing what we do. This is a real accomplishment because even as an OT student in my final year I still struggle to explain my profession in a way that everyone will understand.

Overall although this website is primarily based on sensory processing disorders and sensory integration it has some good points on sensory stimulation in terms of early warning signs, and sensory diet. It provides links to heaps of good resources. However a downside to this website is that it’s plagued with ads and has heaps of tabs that can make the layout a bit overwhelming.