Sensory Integration Dysfunction is the inability of the brain to correctly process information brought in by the senses. Sensory Integration Dysfunction or sensory processing deficits can come in many different forms. Children can have mild, moderate or severe SI deficits and no two children are affected in the same way.

Children with SID can be either hyposensitive or hypersensitive to outside stimuli. For example, a child who is hyposensitive to touch will constantly be crashing into things seeking extra stimulation whereas a hypersensitive child will avoid touching things or being touched when at all possible.

SID children can have processing deficits in one or more areas. A visual processing deficit does not mean that a child cannot see. It indicates they have a hard time finding the words for objects that they view. Therefore, their brain does not process what they see. Auditory processing deficits are similar to visual processing deficits. The child hears what you say, but the brain does not process the information which prevents the child from carrying out the task. For some children it can take several minutes for what you have said to "click".

Usually a child’s sensory system will integrate during the course of ordinary childhood activities. Motor planning is a natural outcome to the process, as is the ability to respond to incoming sensation in an adaptive manner. For some children, SI does not develop as efficiently as it should. When the process of SI is disordered, a number of problems in learning, development, or behavior may become evident.

A SIPT Certified occupational therapist is trained in praxis testing to treat SID with therapy and a sensory diet. SIPT certification involves extensive training. Mary received her training through the University of Southern California and Western Psychological Services.