Pediatric Occupational Therapy: Sensory Integration and Practice Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering core sensory integration principles, assessment approaches, treatment modalities, and environmental strategies from pediatric occupational therapy lecture notes.

Hyperpopular Vasodilation Syndrome

Also referenced in lecture context as pervasive denial syndrome, a rare and severe psychiatric disorder in children linked to excessive screen time where common words like "you know" trigger extreme reactions.

Ayres' Sensory Integration Theory

The most heavily researched OT practice model, grounded in neurophysiological research from the "Decade of the Brain," stating that proper processing of sensory input enables adaptive functional responses.

Five Underlying Assumptions of SI Theory

1) The nervous system possesses plasticity, 2) sensory development follows a progression, 3) nervous system organization follows systems theory, 4) adaptive responses organize the nervous system, and 5) children have an inner drive toward self-actualization.

Top-Down Assessment Approach

An evaluation framework where the therapist first identifies functional limitations and occupational performance problems before evaluating underlying sensory system deficits.

Five Core Areas of SI Evaluation

The primary functional components analyzed during sensory integration assessment: sensory modulation, perceptual function, postural ocular function, bilateral motor coordination, and praxis (motor planning).

Data Triangulation

The analytical process used by an OTR to combine and interpret assessment data gathered from multiple sources, including caregiver history, teacher observations, and test results.

SIFT (Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests)

A historical standardized SI assessment suite created by Ayres that fell out of common use due to requiring a 3-week training course and its unsuitability for many children on the autism spectrum.

Sensory Modulation Treatment Priority

The initial focus in SI intervention aimed at regulating central nervous system arousal and alertness using vestibular and proprioceptive input before progressing to postural or praxis goals.

Behavioral vs. Sensory-Driven Function

Behavioral actions are calculated, goal-oriented tactics to gain rewards or escape tasks; sensory actions are involuntary physiological autonomic nervous system responses (fight, flight, or fright) that persist until regulated.

Classroom Environmental Screening Assessment (CSEA)

An evaluation tool that breaks a classroom into quadrants to analyze visual, auditory, and environmental factors that may cause sensory overload in students.

Adaptive Response

A successful, goal-directed action or reaction to a sensory experience that helps organize and train the central nervous system.

Just-Right Challenge

An intervention approach where a therapist structures a task slightly beyond the child's current master level to prompt skill progression without causing dysregulation.

Tactile Defensiveness Interventions

Treatment modalities for high tactile sensitivity, including deep pressure, joint compressions, and proprioceptive heavy work against gravity.

Pure Ayres SI vs. Educational Sensory-Based Practice

Pure Ayres SI is active, child-led play utilizing specialized equipment as an end in itself; educational sensory practice is therapist-planned to support specific school and functional performance goals.

Wilbarger Brushing Protocol

A specific sensory regimen using a surgical scrub brush followed by joint compressions, designed to be implemented every 20 minutes of a child's waking day to induce permanent nervous system changes.

Calming Room

A designation preferred over "sensory room" in educational settings to avoid clinical protocol misrepresentation and legal liabilities associated with specialized sensory suspension equipment.

Equipment Liability in OT Practice

The legal principle specifying that the individual with the highest level of professional training on specialized sensory equipment (such as suspension swings) holds primary liability for its safe operation.

Roseann Schaff

A prominent researcher recognized for conducting empirical evidence-based studies on Sensory Integration and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

DIR Floor Time

A developmental, relationship-based intervention model created by Stanley Greenspan used in pediatric sensory practice.