Many, many therapeutic options exist for SIDKids. However, what works or is appropriate for one, may not apply to another. Some treatments are more conventionally accepted than others and opinions as to each treatment's efficacy are widespread and varied. Below are some of the more widely-known interventions for Sensory Integration Dysfunction:

NOTE: As detailed more fully in our Disclaimer and Terms of Use, the information on this page is not intended to provide specific medical advice, nor to to endorse any specific product(s), treatment(s), company(ies), organization(s) or practitioner(s).

Auditory Stimulation Therapies | Hippotherapy | Integrated Therapies | Nutritional Therapies | Occupational Therapy | Osteopathic Manipulation | Phototherapy

Auditiory Stimulation Therapies

All listening techniques involve listening to specifically modulated music through head phones, which are modulated and filtered electronically. The Tomatis method progressively filters out low frequency sounds for varying lengths of time. In the Berard method, the sound frequencies are distorted/modulated at random intervals for random periods of time. Both the Tomatis and Berard methods are costly and dependent on a treatment facility. The Ingo Steinbach (Samonas) method is available on compact discs that can be played on disc players with good quality headphones and can be done in a treatment facility, home, and school. This is also the case with Sheila Frick's Therapeutic Listening Method.

According to "Listening Techniques," an article written by occupational therapists Sheila Frick, Patricia Oetter, and Nancy Lawton-Shirley, there are many theories as to why "Listening" works:

"Tomatis originally focused on the ear's connection to voice and later focused on emotion and psychological development. Since language develops with hearing, Guy Berard focuses on the language system and behavior. Samonas focuses on optimal structure of natural sound (music/sound in space) and its effects on the entire being. While the language system of the brain is definitely important, it is important to know that the movement of receptors in the middle ear are responsive to vibration. The movement system has tremendous effect on total brain functioning. The cochlear and vestibular systems together function to provide the perception of time and space against what all other sensation is referred. Occupational therapists who use sensory integration theory in their practice acknowledge the integrative potential of sound and music."

For more information, visit these sites:

• Berard /AIT
• Samonas
• Tomatis
• Other Therapeutic Listening Interventions

Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is a treatment that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse; from the Greek word "hippos" which means horse. Specially trained physical, occupational and speech therapists use this medical treatment for clients who have movement dysfunction. Historically, the therapeutic benefits of the horse were recognized as early as 460 BC. The use of the horse as therapy evolved throughout Europe, the United States and Canada. Learn more...

Integrated Therapies

There are Sensory Integration Dysfunction therapists who make use of multiple therapeutic modalities in treating children with sensory issues. Below are three excellent examples:

The Sensory Learning Institute, located in Boulder, CO and founded by Mary Bolles, offers an innovative, drug-free approach to developmental learning that utilizes multi-modal sensory stimulation. The goal and focus of the Sensory Learning Program is to enable the central nervous system to better process sensory information. According to the Institute, "Sensory stimulation drives developmental patterns. The visual and vestibular systems are engaged by sensory inputs of light and motion. The auditory system is engaged by language and sound and music. When there is a breakdown in communication between these three sensory systems, developmental delays may occur. The Sensory Learning Program simultaneously stimulates the visual, auditory and vestibular systems with light, sound, and motion. By challenging these sensory systems to work together and adapt to multi-sensory input, this intervention often awakens perception, understanding, social interaction, coordinated movement, and the ability to learn and to improve speech. When sensory integration happens, age appropriate developmental patterns of behavior are a natural outcome." Learn more...

The HANDLE Institute, based in Seattle, WA, offers another integrated approach. HANDLE incorporates research and techniques from many disciplines, including principles and perspectives from medicine, rehabilitation, psychology, education and nutrition. It is founded on an interactive, developmental model of human functioning. The institute offers clinical services, community information, and professional training programs. Learn more...

The Osteopathic Center for Children, with facilities in San Diego, CA, provides a comprehensive therapeutic approach for children, including osteopathic manipulation, craniosacral therapy, nutrition counseling, developmental evaluation, vision therapy, developmental tools and activites and support for families. The center was founded by Dr. Viola Frymann, D.O., F.A.A.O., F.C.A., who postulates that restriction of movement of skull bones can interfere with the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord) and cause disease. That restriction, she feels, which causes problems throughout the body, can be fixed by correcting the interference. Learn more...

Nutritional Therapy

Several nutritional approaches exist for children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction. Some include diets based on the elimination of certain foods. Others work on the basis of supplementation, adding enzymes, acidophilus and other nutritional supplements. The efficacy of and theories behind these approaches are largely individual and subjective, but many families have experienced positive and worthwhile results with any one or more of these approaches.

According to Lisa Lewis and Karen Seroussi of the Autism Network for Dietary Intervention, "Current research shows that many cases of autism result from an immune-system dysfunction that affects the body's ability to break down certain proteins and combat yeasts and bacteria." (NOTE: While most SIDKids are not autistic, many approaches helpful to the autistic may nonetheless provide benefit to SIDKids.)

One widely discussed theory involves the improper digestion of two proteins, gluten and casein. J. Robert Cade, MD and R Malcolm Privette, PA-C, explain in more detail on their web site:

"For most people, the breakdown of dietary protein into smaller and smaller proteins and finally into individual amino acids is a process that is smoothly completed as food travels through the digestive system. However, for an autistic individual, it has been found that a defect in the intestinal wall permits incompletely digested components of the original proteins to pass from the intestine into the bloodstream.

 

In the case of two of the diet’s most common proteins, gluten (from wheat, barley, oats, and rye) and casein (from milk), some of the components that are released into the bloodstream have opioid (morphine-like) properties. Gliadorphin-7 and other similar polypeptides are formed in the breakdown of gluten. Bovine ß-casomorphin-7 and other similar polypeptides are formed in the breakdown of casein. Most recently, deltorphin and dermorphin have been targeted for their potential activity as well. All of these polypeptides contain regions very similar in structure to morphine. These proteins are transported to the brain where they bind to receptors causing an effect that our research indicates is manifested in the symptoms of autism.

 

By removing sources of gluten and casein from the diet of autistic children, we have had immense success in at least alleviating and at times eliminating the symptoms of autism."

 

Several approaches to nutrition and Sensory Integration Dysfunction exist. Among them are:

Essential Fatty Acid Supplementation: The Durham Research Initiative in cooperation with the Food and Behavior Research Institute in the United Kingdom asserts that an "increasing body of research is showing that quality long chain fatty acids could have real benefits for a range of learning and behavioural conditions. About 20% of the dry weight of the brain and some 30% of the retina are made from these elements." Learn more...

Enzyme Supplementation: Many SIDKids exhibit digestive difficulties, which may be aided by the use of enzyme therapy. Enzymes help break down food proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids and can increase the breakdown of all food proteins, carbohydrates, starches, and fats. Enzyme advocates postulate that the supplementation of enzymes can eliminate the need to avoid casein/gluten-based foods altogether. In fact. there are now enzymes specifically designed to aid in the digestion of gluten and casein from companies such as Kirkman Labs. Learn more...

Feingold Diet: According to the Feingold Association of the United States, "The Feingold Program itself is a test to determine if certain foods or food additives are triggering particular symptoms. It is basically the way people used to eat before "hyperactivity" became a household word, and before asthma and chronic ear infections became so very common. Used originally as a diet for allergies, improvement in behavior and attention was first noticed as a "side effect." Learn more...

Gluten-free/Casein-free Diet: This approach involves the total elimination of all foods containing gluten and casein. While designed for the autistic child, many families have found great improvements for their non-autistic SIDKids. And fortunately, many gluten-free and casein-free foods are now commercially available. Learn more...

Occupational Therapy

According to Sensory Integration International, "OT is a developmental intervention that seeks to enhance the individual's ability to successfully function in his/her community. The OT starts with an evaluation of the child's capabilities which influence performance of tasks necessary to function in his/her natural environment (s). The OT then assesses the child's specific strengths and weaknesses with respect to self-care, play/leisure skills, academic abilities and sensory-motor capabilities. When therapeutic intervention is recommended, it is employed to enhance the child's capabilities, and includes aspects such as accommodations in positioning, adaptive equipment, modification of the environment, and functional enhancement of sensory perception, motor responses, and functional mobility and manipulation to accomplish the daily tasks ("occupations") of living. Whenever possible, natural environments are the venue for intervention although clinics and inpatient settings are also employed. There are carefully delineated techniques for helping children with disorders of sensory integration."

Osteopathic Manipulation

Osteopathic manipulation, particularly using the cranial sacral techniques, is thought to improve the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. The purpose of osteopathic manipulation is the diagnosis and treatment of the structural and functional changes within the body by the trained, perceptive, discriminating skillful hands of the physician- the mechanic of the human machine. A comprehensive osteopathic approach with precise, gentle, restorative manipulative therapy is thought to help these children with Sensory Integration Dysfunction immeasurably.

Phototherapy/Syntonic Optometry

Syntonics or optometric phototherapy, is the branch of ocular science dealing with the application of selected light frequencies through the eyes. It has been used clinically for over 70 years in the field of optometry with continued success in the treatment of visual dysfunctions, including strabismus (eye turns), amblyopia (lazy eye), focusing and convergence problems, learning disorders, and the aftereffects of stress and trauma. In recent years, Syntonics has been shown to be effective in the treatment of brain injuries and emotional disorders. Learn more...

"And I - I took the road less travelled by, And that has made all the difference. " - Robert Frost, 1874 –1963.

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