Sensory integration (SI) therapy aims to help kids with sensory processing issues (which some people may refer to as “sensory integration disorder”) by exposing them to sensory stimulation in a structured and repetitive way. The theory behind it is that over time, the brain will adapt and allow kids to process and react to sensations more efficiently.

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The idea behind SI therapy is that specific movement activities, resistive body work, and even brushing of the skin can help a child with sensory difficulty experiences an optimal level of arousal and regulation. This can actually “rewire” the brain so that kids can appropriately integrate and respond to sensory input, allowing them to both make sense of and feel safer in the world.

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Sensory processing disorder (SPD). SPD is not recognized by psychiatrists as a diagnosis, though they acknowledge that children do have problems based on over- or under- responsivity of their senses. Most, if not all, children and adults with ASD have significant sensory issues. But not all who do are on the spectrum; they may have ADHD, OCD or other developmental and learning delays, or no other diagnosis.

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