What Exactly Is Sensory Integration Dysfunction?

all of the sense organs; and SI is referred to the way the brain combines and utilizes that raw information in order to provide useful information with which we can make a decision.)

The narrow definitions

Below are just a few examples of narrow interpretation of SI(D). SI is 'distinguishing between sensory experiences, such as touch, movement, body awareness, sight, sound, smell, taste, and the pull of gravity' (Gale Encyclopedia). SID is a disruption in the process of intake, organization and output of sensory information. Inefficient sensory intake is taking in too much or too little information. With too much information, the brain is on overload and causes an individual to avoid sensory stimuli. With too little information, the brain seeks more sensory stimuli (Kranowitz, 1998). This latter explanation coincides completely with Delacato's classification of hyper- and hyposensitivities (though Delacato distinguished a third possibility - 'white noise', as well.)

In a narrow sense, SID is nowadays often used interchangeably with sensory modulation disorder/disruption. This brings even more confusion, as this 'interchange' is not accepted by all the researchers, and some authors interpret 'modulation' as a separate process.

Similarly, we find broad and narrow definitions of 'modulation in the OT literature. In their review of OT literature on sensory modulation, Wilbarger and Stackhouse regret that there is limited information written about sensory modulation, and emphasize the necessity to update "our theories to incorporate the new findings in order to facilitate acceptance of our unique perspective on central nervous system functioning as it relates to human occupation." One should add, it is equally important to incorporate the 'old findings' from the outside of OT, such as, for example, those described by Ornitz - the disturbances of sensory modulation manifested as both underreactivity and overreactivity to sensory stimuli.

All these different interpretations of SID allow highlighting different characteristics and categories. As any aspect of sensory and information processing can be covered by the term of SID, it gives a researcher a free hand to choose whatever they want to study describing it as SID. Some researchers, for instance, discuss various characteristics of SID under four categories: attention and regularity problems, sensory defensiveness, activity patterns, and behavior. Others include into end products of SI such characteristics as the ability to register and modulate stimuli, motor coordination, attention, motor planning ability, balance, eye control, emotional stability, behavioral control, body scheme, and self-esteem. Kranowitz (1998) describes modulation, inhibition, habituation, and

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