Intervention
Sensory Integration
In 1989 Jean Ayres defined Sensory Integration (SI) as follows:
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“Sensory Integration is the neurological process that organises sensation from one’s own body and from the environment and makes it possible to use the body effectively within the environment. The spatial and temporal aspects of inputs from different sensory modalities are interpreted, associated and unified. Sensory integration is information processing… The brain must select, enhance, inhibit, compare and associate the sensory information in a flexible, constantly changing pattern, in other words the brain must integrate it.”
Neuro-developmental Treatment
NDT is a problem-solving approach used in the evaluation and treatment of individuals with movement, tone, and functional impairments due to a lesion of the central nervous system.
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It is a hands-on therapy that looks to improve the mobility and function of individuals – including children and adults – who struggle with movement due to neurological issues such as strokes, head trauma or cerebral palsy.
DIR Floortime approach
DIR® is the Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship-based model. provides a foundational framework for understanding human development and learning and how each person individually perceives and interacts with the world differently. It outlines the critical role social-emotional development has on overall human development starting at birth and continuing throughout the lifespan.
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​ The model highlights the power of relationships and emotional connections to fuel development. Through a deep understanding of the "D" ( the developmental process) and the "I" (a person's individual differences) we can use the "R" (human relationships) to promote healthy development and to help everyone reach their fullest potential.
SOS Fussy Eating approach
In the SOS Approach, the feeding problem is conceptualized as the tip of an iceberg. The child’s difficulties with eating and gaining weight is what everybody sees, but similar to an iceberg, it is what is under the water that crashes the boat. The SOS Approach to Feeding stands for Sequential-Oral-Sensory because these are the major components of the program.
However, SOS also stands for Save Our Ship! In the SOS Approach to Feeding, we assess and address all of the underlying (“under the water”) causes of the feeding difficulties. SOS uses a transdisciplinary team (Pediatric Psychologists, Pediatricians, Occupational Therapists, Registered Dietitians, and Speech Pathologists/Therapists) to evaluate and treat the “whole child”
We work through the 6 major steps to eating:
First, we must tolerate the physical presence or the look of the food. This might even include just being in the same room as the food. Then, perhaps, we can interact with the food without directly touching the food to your skin, maybe by using a kitchen utensil like a mini food chopper or a fork. Next, our body needs to process and manage the smell or odor of a food. The play then expands to include touching the food with your fingers, hands, body, and mouth. Think about that baby first learning to eat! Tasting comes next, which might look like quickly poking the food with the tip of your tongue, or maybe putting the food in your mouth, and spitting it out. Finally, we are ready to practice chewing and swallowing. This can be a long process for some of our children and the SOS Approach can be helpful!
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