Sensory Integration
What Happens When It’s Not?
When sensory processing is disorganized, the nervous system may not respond accurately to sensory input. This can look different across individuals:
Overreacting to touch, sound, or movement (e.g., covering ears, avoiding textures)
Constantly seeking sensory input (e.g., spinning, crashing, chewing)
Difficulty sitting still or focusing
Delays in motor skills or poor coordination
Emotional outbursts or rigid routines
Difficulty filtering background noise
Avoidance of crowded or stimulating environments
Chronic tension, fatigue, or discomfort
Difficulty multitasking or feeling “on edge” in daily life
Persistent headaches or physical discomfort not explained medically
These patterns aren’t about “bad behavior” or lack of effort—they are nervous system responses to sensory overload or under-processing.
Sensory Integration (SI) is the process by which the brain receives, organizes, and interprets information from the senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, smell, movement, and body awareness—so that we can respond appropriately to our environment. This complex process is foundational for attention, motor coordination, emotional regulation, learning, and daily functioning.
When sensory integration is working well, individuals can process what they sense, make sense of it, and respond in ways that are timely, efficient, and appropriate to the situation.
What Happens When Sensory Integration Is Working?
When the sensory system is adapting well to daily demands, children and adults are able to:
Maintain attention during tasks
Tolerate and respond appropriately to various sensory input (noise, touch, movement, visual stimuli)
Move through their environment with coordinated, purposeful movement
Transition between activities smoothly
Self-regulate emotions and behavior
Feel calm, safe, and connected to themselves and others
Sensory Integration + Reflex Integration
Sensory integration and reflex integration are closely connected in supporting a child’s ability to move, learn, and respond effectively to the world around them.
The integration of reflexes is a critical foundation for sensory integration. When primitive reflexes do not integrate properly, they can interfere with the development of posture, coordination, attention, and how sensory information is processed. For example, a child with unintegrated reflexes may be overly sensitive to sensory input, struggle with balance, or have difficulty sitting still and focusing.
Because of this close relationship, effective sensory integration depends on the proper integration of reflexes. Occupational therapists often assess both areas to identify underlying factors that may be affecting a child’s development. When reflexes are successfully integrated, the brain can more easily interpret and respond to sensory input, leading to improvements in motor skills, learning, emotional regulation, and daily functioning.