Sensory Processing and Sensory Integration
Sensory processing happens when sensory input is received by the body. When a person receives sensory input, they process that input and form a response (see diagram - left). In individuals with autism sometimes one or more senses are either over or under reactive to the sensory input. These sensory problems can be the reason behind behaviors such as rocking, spinning, and hand flapping. For individuals on the autism spectrum, sensory integration techniques can improve attendance and awareness and reduce overall arousal.
Book Title: Sensory Integration and the Child
Author: A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D.
Publishing Information: (2005) Western Psychological Services, Los Angeles, California
A. Jean Ayres, Ph.D. is one of the pioneers of research in sensory integration. This book explains what sensory dysfunction is, how to recognize it, and what you can do about it. The book also contains checklists and question and answer sections. The 25th anniversary edition has parent resources as well, making this book a great resource for parents, therapists, and teachers.
Book Title: Understanding your Child's Sensory Signals: A Practical Daily Use Handbook for Parents and Teachers
Author: Angie Voss, OTR
Publishing Information: (2011) ASensoryLife.com
This book is a handy resource that gets into specific sensory behaviors you might see. The table of contents is essentially a list of sensory behaviors you might see. The sensory behavior is followed up with ideas to help you find ways to increase or decrease the sensory input as needed for the given situation. This book is a great classroom resource as well as an excellent source for parents of a child with sensory processing problems.
Source: http://missallisonsclass.blogspot.ca/2012/06/sensory-supports-for-classroom-freebie.html
This handy chart is designed with teachers in mind. It contains suggested sensory inputs or activities
to help students better regulate their sensory system. It contains options for both alerting and calming
students, depending on what the needs of the individual student are.