Welcome to Our Sensory Integration Gym!

In our previous article, we talked about what sensory processing disorder looks like. Our Occupational Therapists at Little Marvels are able to assess and treat sensory integration difficulties in the therapy gym while working closely with families. OTs look at the various sensory systems and how the brain processes these inputs for function.

How can the sensory gym help my child?

The sensory gym is a setting where specialised equipment — much of it designed by Dr Jean Ayres — is used to provide children with specific, graded sensory inputs, helping them work on adaptive responses and behaviours (Smith, 2019).

As we explored in the sensory processing disorder article, sensory experiences can feel unsafe and emotional for children with sensory processing difficulties. That's why therapy often starts in a controlled setting like the sensory gym, where trained therapists can create safe experiences and carefully grade the amount of challenge required to meet functional goals.

In a sensory gym, children learn adaptive responses with the support of occupational therapists trained to identify dysfunctional patterns. Using the Pyramid of Learning as a guide, therapists may work on strengthening foundational skills at the base of the pyramid, then gradually progress upwards to skills that require more integration across different sensory systems.

Moving into everyday life

When children develop appropriate adaptive skills, therapy sessions can then move to the child's natural setting. There, additional modifications can be made to the environment (for example, a trampoline to give a movement-seeking child the vestibular input they crave) or to a task (such as offering paintbrushes to apply glue for a child who dislikes messy textures).

To make this work, occupational therapists conduct an initial assessment of your child's sensory system and work continuously with you, so the skills built in sessions are constantly practised outside of them. In some cases, OTs may also collaborate with your child's teachers to develop strategies at school, so your child is best supported in their learning.