Sensory Integration

Welcome to “Sensory Integration,” a comprehensive course designed for occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, educators, psychologists, and other professionals who work with individuals with sensory processing challenges. Sensory integration is the foundational process by which the brain organizes and interprets sensory information from our bodies and the environment, enabling us to make adaptive responses and participate meaningfully in daily life. When sensory integration functions efficiently, we move smoothly, attend appropriately, regulate our emotions, and engage successfully with the world. When it is disrupted, the effects ripple through every aspect of development and function. This course provides a thorough exploration of sensory integration theory, assessment, and intervention, based on the groundbreaking work of A. Jean Ayres and the extensive research that has followed. Across ten detailed chapters, we will examine the seven sensory systems, the neurobiology of sensory processing, sensory modulation and discrimination, praxis, sensory-based motor disorders, the relationship between sensory processing and behavior, assessment principles and tools, evidence-based intervention strategies, sensory integration across the lifespan, and the application of sensory integration principles in specific populations (autism, ADHD, developmental coordination disorder, and others). Whether you are a clinician seeking to deepen your understanding, a student entering the field, or a professional from a related discipline wanting to understand sensory integration’s role, this course provides the essential knowledge to understand, assess, and support individuals with sensory processing challenges.