Sensory integration is the neurological process that organizes sensation from one’s own body and the environment, thus making it possible to use the body effectively within the environment. Specifically, it deals with how the brain processes multiple sensory modality inputs into usable functional outputs. It has been believed for some time that inputs from different sensory organs are processed in different areas in the brain. Most of us unconsciously learn to combine our senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste, balance, body in space) in order to make sense of our environment. We use our multiple senses to take in this varied information, and combine them to give us a clear understanding of the world around us. We learn during childhood how to do this. Thus, through childhood experiences we gain the ability to use all of our senses together to plan a response to anything we notice in our environment . Children with autism are less capable of this kind of synthesis and therefore they may have trouble responding appropriately to differently stimuli. Sensory integration therapy is a type of occupational therapy (OT) that places a child in a room specifically designed to stimulate and challenge all of the senses. During the session, the therapist works closely with the child to encourage movement within the room. Sensory integration therapy is based on the assumption that the child is either over stimulated or under stimulated by the environment. Therefore, the aim of sensory integration therapy is to improve the ability of the brain to process sensory information so that the child will function better in his daily activities. HOMOEOPATHY AND SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY: Homoeopathy has a command over the impaired sensory defences. Homoeopathic literature is rich with drugs that can modify and integrate the senses effectively. Homoeopathic medicines point out to various impaired sensory symptoms like sensitive to touch, fear of height, fear of downward motion, sensitive to tight clothing, Oversensitive to noise. Children with above mentioned symptoms improve significantly after Homoeopathic medications. Many children who had come to us with various sensory issues like sensitive to touch, noise, smell etc improved tremendously under homoeopathic treatment. A combined effort of Homoeopathy and sensory integration therapy enhances the integration of senses.
