Sensory Systems.
Dr. Jean Ayres was a neuropsychologist who developed and published her writings based on her sensory integration model from 1965 to 1989 (Roley et al., 2007). Ayres spent years researching and developing intervention strategies to provide knowledge and understanding on how to conduct treatment for children with learning and behavioral deficits (Lane et al., 2019). Ayres Sensory Integration theory looks into the seven sensory systems, (vision, auditory, gustatory, olfactory, tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular,) that our bodies are engaging throughout the day and the process by which individuals are registering, modulating, and differentiating these sensations (AOTA, 2008).
Ayres formed her theory based on her understanding of neurobiology (Roley et al., 2007). The main concepts and substance of Dr. Jean Ayres sensory integration theory are rooted in the neuropsychological aspect of an individual. Neurobiological concepts such as vestibular input impacts brain functions such as arousal, postural control, balance, and equilibrium (Lane et al., 2019) are what the theory provides to therapists such as us. Another concept proposed within the seven sensory systems is that somatosensation, (touch and proprioception,) is strongly linked with other sensory systems such as visual and motor skills (Lane et al., 2019). The ties between these sensory systems are integrated at multiple central nervous system levels indicating that integration of these systems is crucial to a child’s detection of self-motion, postural control, and spatial awareness (Lane et al., 2019). Throughout her publishing it is clear that Ayres concluded that the sensory systems within our bodies are interconnected.
Another construct of the sensory integration model is that it will enhance occupational performance. All seven sensory systems have to be effectively integrated in order for children to participate in their everyday routines (AOTA, 2008). If a child is unable to register, modulate, or discriminate sensory information, they will demonstrate deficits with emotional regulation, social/play skills, and fine/gross motor skills (AOTA, 2008). Dr. Ayres has published literature on how to integrate the seven sensory systems through therapeutic treatment in order to promote independent occupational performance (Roley et al., 2007).
Gustatory
The gustatory system is simply our tongue and tastebuds reaction to various food and drink we put in our mouths.
Hypersensitive individuals might present with gagging anything food or drink is presented. Individuals can be highly sensitive to various foods based off their taste and texture.
Hyposensitive individuals will crave different textures and stronger tastes to satisfy their sensory needs. These individuals might crave sour, bitter, spicy, extreme cold, crunch, hard and/or chewy foods to give their body the sensory input they are craving.
Proprioceptive
The proprioceptive sensory system is in charge of where our bodies are in space as a whole, as well as where our individual body parts are in relation to the rest of us as we move through an environment.
Proprioceptive input occurs when the joints in our bodies are compressed during “heavy work” activities.
Heavy work activities typically involve the entire body in some way, incorporate a push/pull effort, strength and get the heart rate up.
The activities promote body awareness and sense of centeredness.
Tactile
The tactile sensory system is in charge of notifying the brain what and when stimuli is touching the body.
When our bodies are exposed to a sensation within the environment such as rain, heat from the stove, or clothing that we wear, our bodies either regulate the sensation or we have a reaction.
For example, someone might not enjoy the feeling of rain or taking a shower because the rain drops can feel sharp and painful. Try utilizing an umbrella or raincoat when outdoors and bathes instead of showers.
Visual
The visual sensory system encompasses what we see with our eyes within our environment Individuals can have sensitivities to visual stimulus such as bright lights or flashing If an individual cannot regulate the visual stimulus within their environment they will have difficulties regulating their body.
For example, bright fluorescent bulbs might be difficult for a child to regulate and therefore they would function better in a dim lighted environment. If fluorescent lights cannot be changed, hanging sheets over them is another alternative.
Olfactory
Olfactory is just a fancy term for an individual's sense of smell. The olfactory sensory system involves the ability to an individual to experience various smells within their environment.
For individuals with sensory aversions to smells, they will want to remove themselves from within range of the smell. Many individuals have aversions to various smells such as grass, different food, and even gasoline.
It is important to know what smells your child is aversive to in order to know what environments to avoid and/or how to control the environment in order for a child best regulate their bodies.
Vestibular
The vestibular sensory system involves head movement, balance, posture, and body spatial awareness.
Your inner ear is where the vestibular system is located. Anytime you move your head, your body is signaling your brain where your body is in space and if you are balanced.
The more a child is exposed to vestibular activities, the more their sensory system develops and can result in strengthening their posture, balance, body control and awareness, and equilibrium.
The vestibular sensory system impacts several other systems. Therapy sessions commonly might start with some vestibular input to not only regulate the vestibular system, but also the other sensory systems in the body.
Picture the sensory systems within our bodies as a puzzle. Each environment is a different puzzle we have to figure out and put together. Some environments might be more challenging than others - 100 piece puzzle vs. 10 piece puzzle. Just like it takes longer to put a 100 piece puzzle together, it can take longer for our bodies to regulate and respond in certain environments.
References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2008). Frequently asked questions about ayres sensory integration [Fact sheet]. https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/Practice/Children/REsources/FAQs/SI%20Fact%20Sheet%202.pdf
Lane, S. J., Mailloux, Z., Schoen, S., Bundy, A., May-Benson, T. A., Parham, L. D., Smith Roley, S., & Schaaf, R. C. (2019). Neural Foundations of Ayres Sensory Integration®. Brain sciences, 9(7), 153. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9070153
Roley, S.S., Mailloux, Z., Miller-Kuhaneck, H., & Glennon, T.J. (2007). Understanding Ayers Sensory Integration. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article