Jean Ayres, Ph.D., as OT, was a contributor to this way of looking at how children develop and interact with their environment. She formulated on of the main theories of sensory integrations, and created testing procedures and tools and treatment techniques based upon sensory integration theory. Her methods have been widely used for over thirty years.

“Sensory” pertains to our senses: hearing, sight, smell, touch, taste, proprioceptions and vestibular system. “Integration” is the process of allowing the brain to use the information that the senses take in. Sensory integration is used for all activities, but OT’s are especially concerned about organization of sensory information for use in the classroom, on the playground, for activities of daily living, and lastly, relationships and interactions with others.

The programs are based on understanding how people deal with life’s sensations. Specifically, Occupational Therapists look and test for how an individual perceives or organizes sensations from life and body experiences. The testing focuses on seeing if the child’s internal sensory systems are working together properly.

Treatment is more effective if it is similar to normal client activities and desires. Since a child’s normal activity is to play, OT’s treat with an individualized program presented as directed play. Through play, children learn about themselves and the world around them. When all that they see, hear and feel makes sense to them, a process of sensory integration occurs. Sensory integration provides a crucial foundation for developing good physical, academic and social skills.