Dysfunction in Sensory Integration
Hamad is only 9 years old and in the third grade, but simply getting to school is a challenge for him, just like other everyday activities we may not think twice about. Earlier that morning, Hamad faced a battle with his nanny over brushing his teeth – the peppermint toothpaste was too much to bear! As he waits for the bus, Hamad becomes even more aware of his new school uniform with its stiff label and creases poking into his skin. Hamad is becoming agitated. Once he’s finally on the bus, the sensory experiences aggravate him even more, from the bus’s movement to the sound of his excited classmates yelling, laughing, and talking. Not to mention the roar of the bus engine that’s created a loud ringing in his ears. As the bus approaches school, the driver assistant gets ready to direct the students off the bus; “single line, kids!”. But Hamad couldn’t bear another minute – he resorts to pushing, shoving, and finally kicking his way out. This, in turn, leads Hamad to yet another trip to the principal’s office.
Hamad is unable to discriminate the sensory information from the environment. Therefore, his movements are uncoordinated, unsequenced, and ill-timed. Hamad has a Dysfunction in Sensory Integration (DSI), which is a Sensory Processing Disorder or SPD.
SPD is a “neurological disorder in which the sensory information that the individual perceives results in abnormal responses.” Mind Institute is specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of SPD.
Nasser does not feel good about himself. He is unable to follow instructions from his gym teacher and has given up playing basketball, which he loves. Nasser keeps missing the shots and always causes his team to lose. In class, he finds it difficult to hold the pencil correctly, which makes his handwriting illegible. Nasser keeps bumping into people without meaning to, and always drops things on his way to class. His classmates call him clumsy, forgetful, and messy. Nasser hates going to lunch because of all the noise and commotion in the lunchroom. Earlier today, he was yield by his math teacher as he could not stay on task. Nasser can not keep up with his teachers’ instructions as he always hears the echo of his peers in the hallway. Nasser also worries about the ticking clock in the classroom because he feels he is running against time. The one thing that gives him relief is chewing on the end of the pencil and humming. Nasser tries hard to cover up his difficulties. He seems unable to do simple tasks that other children do naturally.
Nasser has a problem with adjusting to the circumstances and keeping the ability to complete the task. Sensory modulation is the “capacity to regulate and organize the degree, intensity, and nature of responses to sensory input in a graded and adaptive manner” (Miller & Lane, 2000). Mind Institute’s specialized therapist can help with identifying and treating sensory modulation.
How is Dysfunction in Sensory Integration determined?
A licensed therapist with advanced training in sensory integration can evaluate if you or your child has DSI through the following:
- Collecting data from the daily life tasks; school, home or work.
- Creating an environment with different sensory spaces, observe and evaluate the child’s response.
- Complete a Sensory Profile questionnaire.
- Interview parents and caregiver to better understand how the child processes his/her sensory input in various settings and environment.
- Standardized test Sensory Integration and Praxis Test Battery (SIPT).
How can we help?
The way we process sensory information affects our everyday lives.
Mind Institute offers Sensory Integration (SI) Therapy, which aims to help children or adults manage their difficulties with sensory processing and sensory modulation. When sensory processing does not develop as efficiently as it should, it can affect activities of daily living, academic achievement, behavior, and social participation. Developed by Jean Ayres, Sensory Integration helps children and young people develop their sensory processing abilities and skills. Sensory Integration Therapy can improve difficulties linked to sensitivity, regulation, play, behavior, and learning.
At Mind Institute, our Sensory Integration therapists change how the brain reacts to different stimulation. Our therapy techniques allow children to understand better their sense of touch, smell, taste, sight, movement, hearing, body awareness, and pull of gravity. Our licensed therapists are highly skilled and experienced with this form of intervention. Based on our evaluation results, we develop a personalized treatment program in which we use the most appropriate techniques and tools to overcome identified difficulties. Before therapy commences, we will provide targeted outcomes and objectives, which will be reviewed regularly. Our Sensory Intervention (SI) Therapy and intervention will help your child:
- Better understand sensory needs.
- Improve performance in school, home, and community.
- Improve independence and daily living skills.
- Enhances concentration.
- Improve balance and motor skills.
- Improve social ability and confidence.
- Improve sleep hygiene.
- Language Development.
- Develop positive behavior patterns.
We were worried the moment we found out that the center will be closed due to our current situation. But the family was really amazed at how the center handled the uncertainties. My son is now attending teletherapy sessions for his OT and SLT. It was quite new and challenging in the first few sessions but because of the hard work and professionalism of the team, I could say they are doing a great job! Thank you Ms. Madeeha (SLT), Ms. Lili (OT) and Ms. Azza for all your hard work to make things happen for all your students. Stay safe everyone! Eid Mubarak!
Mind Institute has always been my first and only choice when it came for special needs for my son. My son has progressed tremendously in all aspects and I’m grateful for all the hard work put in by all the therapists and assistants. I’m truly grateful to Ms Gillian (special educator) for all the hard work and her indefatigable calm and courtesy when it comes to making my son feel at home and satisfying a worried and super involved parent like me. Ms Vanessa has also developed an amazing relationship with my son and she is extremely loving and patient when it comes to calming my son down.
Best Special Needs Center in Qatar. Also, deliver adult psychotherapy.
I am so glad my daughter has joined Mind Institute and that is because of the improvement we see and feel in her overall development. We were so worried and concerned before she joined. But they have amazed us with all the intervention. She has massively developed and we are so pleased
Professional, passionate and caring! Highly recommend them.
The Mind Institute helps you fulfil your needs, it helped me improve my concentration and I made good progress with them, it also tries to help you with other aspects you didn't know you needed, because it did also try to help me with my social skills. In addition, it is very flexible with scheduling appointments.
شكرا من القلب. لقد استفاد ابني اوس كثيرا من المركز وقد تطورت مهاراته السلوكية والادراكية والنفسية واللفظية. بصراحة انصح الجميع بزيارة المركز بما له من طاقم اداري اكثر من رائع. وهية تدريس تدرك من اول يوم ان ابنك سيكون بايدي امينة. وفعلا ماشككت يوما بهذا. بحيث اني ارى الحب والدفئ في عيونهم
السلا عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته انا عاجزه عن الشكر والتقدير لكل نجمه سطعت في سماء المركز ونورت حياتي وحياة الاطفال اللي يتلقون العلاج المناسب لهم واخص بالذكر ابني فهد اقل مااقدر اوصله لكم هو عوده فهد لارض الواقع بفضل نجوم المركز المميزين وبفضل قمر المركز منال جزاكم الله الف خير على مجهوداتكم التي لا تعد ولا تحصي ام فهد محمد مصطفي
If you are looking for a professional and caring center to work with you closely to develop your child’s skills and abilities, then Mind Institute is the one. My ASD daughter has been going there for more than two years now and I have continuously been satisfied with all her progress. They know how to identify the child’s struggles, structure a development plan and address the issues accordingly. The improvement we have seen in her is amazing. She is more independent and confident now. She is going to a mainstream school two months from now and I cannot be more grateful. The whole team are hearty and care for the kids in the center. I drop my daughter there every day with confidence, knowing that she is in good hands. Mind Institute has been a lovely part of our family and we are full of gratitude for all their efforts.
بصراحة هذا المكان الافضل في قطر لذوي الاحتياجات الخاصه وهو يشمل كل الاعاقات وكل الاعمار ولاحظت تقدم كبير ل ابني وانا اتكلم عن تجربه انصحكم في هذا المكان سواء كان عنده تواحد او تواصل في النطق او تواصل بصري او اعاقة حركية وانصحكم بهذا المكان جداً جميل والتعامل جداً راقي لدرجة ان في استمراريه في الملاحظات والصور يرسلونها اول باول على الايميل ماندمت على اني حطيت ابني بينهم
My son has been attending the EIP at Mind Institute for the last 2 years. We are very satisfied with our son’s progress and with Minds personalized support and plan. I especially appreciate my son’s warm personal rapport with the teaching & assisting staff which makes our journey a whole lot easier. I’m grateful for Ms Sharon and Ms Vanessa patience and support provided to us at all times.
Excellent service. Strong and clear communication throughout, very flexible and supportive despite COVID changes. Very friendly and engaging staff, my son always felt at ease and welcome. Would highly recommend. In terms of results, excellent progress throughout therapy and sustainable results.
We have had a great experience with Mind Institute both through tele-therapy and in person. My son was so excited to attend each week and his therapist, Hafsa, was excellent. The team were professional and welcoming and I have no hesitations in recommending their services.
I am sending you to tell you about my experience with the virtual program that Mind Institute start with, because of recent situation of COVID-19 virus. As you know my Son just joined middle of February 2020. So he spent only almost 1 month and then center was closed. To be honest I found real care from all the staff for the benefit of my son. These online lessons were difficult for the first week but you and all the therapists worked hard with me and I learned a lot about how to deal with him and I came to know what type of toys are useful since you are sending us a weekly plan with all resources needed. When I ask for something or have a concern you and all Mind Institute family are available to help. Thanks a lot for your patience, hard work and support.
I’m writing this email to feedback on VIP program which we started with my son Ilia 2 weeks ago. This is absolutely incredible program which supports my sons learning/ communicative needs even during this hard time of school’s closure. I was a bit worried at first how he would react to distance learning and whether he will cope with tasks given online, but from the very first training session he grabbed the concept and just greeted his teacher as if she was in the room. I was very surprised to know that every week I will receive not only detailed plan, but also complete kit to support this plan, this is just beyond any praise! The kit includes all necessary supplies to support creative learning and it’s so easy to prepare for every session. More than that it’s tailored to my child’s needs and interests! The team was so attentive to ilia’s liking of firefighting topic so that they created the whole set for math (addition), fun games in firefighting theme! Thank you for that! The program is also helpful for me as a parent to better understand my kid, learn his strengths and spend more quality time together having fun and lots of laughs! My son loves everyday sessions and looks forward to seeing his teacher and assistants and therapists! I can’t thank you enough for presenting this amazing opportunity to families who have to organize in- house schooling. Thank you to all the MI team and see you soon on the next session!
I would like to extend my appreciation to the entire team, for their work with the VIP program. The program has been very insightful, for me as a parent. As I am able to better understand Leon’s challenge’s in a study setting/ environment. I do feel it is important to keep the activities as interactive and stimulating as possible. Because this keeps Leon engaged and focused through the session. The weekly kits, sent to us have been very well planned and organized. This has made it easy for me to understand as a parent.
خدمات التواصل عن بعد ممتازة وطريقة مثلى للاستفادة من الوقت وإعادة تنظيم جدول الحياة اليومي لابراهيم والاهم الاستمرار في الخطة العلاجية الخاصة به جهودكم مشكورة جميعا
خدمات التواصل عن بعد ممتازة وطريقة مثلى للاستفادة من الوقت وإعادة تنظيم جدول الحياة اليومي لابراهيم والاهم الاستمرار في الخطة العلاجية الخاصة به
كانت تجربة الزوم ناجحة بالنسبة لي حيث ان ليس ابنتي فقط من استفادت منه انا كذلك استفدت وتعلمت اشياء لم اكم اعرفها من قبل واصبحت اعرف كيف اتعامل مع ابنتي بطرق علميه. شكرا مايند انستتيوت كم انت رائع
It’s great seeing Myles being busy, especially doing a body parts activity. We’ve been trying so hard to get Myles to do things like that at home, but he would never do them! The only thing I think he really shows interest in is music and musical instruments! He has recently started to imitate us playing his drum kit and other little instruments like tambourine...