OT Theory

For our assignment for Foundations for today, we were instructed to look into a theory related to OT that we had not studied in class. I chose to look at the Sensory Integration Frame of Reference since I want to work in pediatrics most likely, and it relates to how I personally came to find the field of occupational therapy. The main idea behind this theory is that children use the five sensory systems, which are auditory, proprioceptive, vestibular, visual and tactile, to help them learn and adapt their behavior. Integrating these five sensory systems is essential to children being able to adapt to their environment and to positively engage in occupations. This frame of reference would be used with children who have sensory processing disorders, and could be in a variety of settings such as clinics, rehabilitation facilities, or even the school system. This theory defines functionality as being able to integrate sensory systems successfully to participate in daily life, as sensory environments are always changing. In order to use this theory with a client, an OT would assess each of the five sensory systems to determine which the client has difficulty integrating in daily life. This can mean testing postural control, balance, ocular control, self-regulation, and even organizing behaviors.

Some important terms to know for this frame of reference:

• Sensory modulation - ability for a child to regulate the extent to which they are affected by sensory inputs
• Sensory discrimination - ability for a child to distinguish the differences between incoming stimuli into the different sensory systems
• Sensory integration - ability for a child to take the sensory information that is coming in and appropriately respond