Reflection

Reflections on making this blog and learning about Sensory Stimulation, the SCBU, and the OT role:
When I first started this blog I thought that Sensory Stimulation was just the same as Sensory Integration and although it does have similar concepts around the just right challenge and sensory diet, it is in fact different. I was so convinced that it was the same thing that initially my first few posts were all about Sensory Integration. It wasn’t until I ran into one of my Lecturers in the Library and managed to ask her a question about it that I found out they are not the same things. She explained to me that SI is for once you have identified the child as having a sensory disorder of some kind and that it would not be appropriate to use this on newborn babies as:
1. You take a while to form a diagnosis so placing one on a new born is not ethical, and
2. Babies get overwhelmed very easily as sensory sensations are all new to them. So using the SI approach where you try and engage as many sensory systems as possible in order to achieve neuroplasticity, is not really possible.
She then went on to further explain that Sensory Stimulation is more along the lines of doing like trying to regulate sleep patterns by turning the lights on and off at various times, providing physical contact with family to establish connection, and helping with the skills necessary for feeding. Upon Reflection I should have conducted better research before going on a completely different tangent. Luckily for me I am experienced in using a blog as have learnt how to use one through my course and could go back and edit all my posts so that they best suited the aim of this blog which was to identify Sensory Stimulation not Sensory Integration.
From doing this Blog I can see the benefits of Sensory Stimulation and how it will be of great aid for the Baby and their family. Through trying to find Youtube videos for my blog I saw how traumatic it can be for parents whose child is in SCBU and I definitely understand the need for OTs, as we are trained to be able to help support family and provide education so that they will be prepared for their ultimate goal which is getting baby home. My research leads me to conclude that SCBU wards should have an OT as part of their team if they don’t already, as well as that Sensory Stimulation should continue to be used with infants in the SCBU ward as it can really help their development as well as helping parents needs.

Summary of what i have learnt so far

This post is a summary of what I have learnt so far. The aim of this blog was to learn more about Sensory Simulation and how it is used in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), as well as the OTs role within the Unit. I believe that the blog I’ve created has helped me to meet this goal. Sensory Stimulation is a form of therapy used by Occupational therapists and other professionals (eg Nurses) to treat babies in the SCBU. Its focus is to help to modify the sensory diet by using ‘just right challenges’ so that the baby will start to develop some sensory skills as soon as possible. When treating the infant its important not to overwhelm them by overloading their senses as this often has a negative effect on the child rather than a helpful one. In order not to overload it’s important that therapist knows what the baby’s cues are eg. When getting overwhelmed breathing will increase and baby will avoid eye contact. Through my research I have discovered that there is definite room for an OT role in the SCBU unit. The OT role involves dealing with treatment, the environment, providing education, and helping to support family. Mainly though the OT role is focused on getting the baby and family ready for home.

Infant Stimulation

I agree with alot of the things stated in this video. Its very informative and explains the importance of Sensory stimulation quite well. It also places importance on not overstimulating which i believe is essential when conducting good therapy.

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.