The use of Ayres Sensory Integration in mental health settings
How can sensory integration be used to enhance the function and occupational performance of the adult in mental health?
Sensory integration processing and pathology
Praxis dysfunction presents with:
•Postural problems
•Affected motor planning
•Affected muscle tone (hypotonia)
•Poor bilateral integration
•Poor coordination and sensory discrimination (Bundy & Murray, 2002).
Sensory modulation disorders presents with:
•Aversion response
•Gravitational insecurity
•Defensive behaviour
•Change in tactile, visual and auditory responses
•More or less distractibility
•Disorganized behaviour
•Poor motivation
•Inappropriate emotional responses (Bundy & Murray, 2002).
Research suggests that people with schizophrenia have (Alers, 1997):
•Affected perceptual ability
•Poor awareness of self
•Poor motor planning and praxis
•Poor physical endurance
•Poor postural patterns
Individuals with traumatic head injuries and strokes present with:
- Poor motor planning and praxis
- Poor sequencing of activities
- Visual-perceptual difficulties
- Changes in muscle tone (? Sensory integration)
- Poor physical endurance
- Poor posture
When to refer to Occupational Therapy
- Psychosis and chronic phase of mental illness
- ID, Autism and ADHD
- MDD and Anxiety
- Possible signs: pacing, wringing of hands, biting, self-injurous taking clothes off or tearing clothes
- Work related stressors, IPR and marital stressors