SENSORY PROCESSING ROAD MAP
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What is Sensory Processing Disorder?
A condition where one or more of the senses receive signals but the person finds it hard to process and respond appropriately. A. Jean Ayres, PhD, likened SPD to a neurological "traffic jam" that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. Sensory information goes into the brain but does not get organized into appropriate responses. Those with SPD perceive and/or respond to sensory information differently than most other people. When one gets overloaded, the rest can be bogged down. It can result in motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, school challenges,etc. Professionals can help determine what areas prove the most difficult.
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What is Sensory Discrimination Disorder?
A person's brain confuses input which challenges a person's ability to figure out the source, frequency or pitch of a sensation. For this reason, a person has difficulty with their environment and learning.
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What is Sensory Motor Disorder?
Children have a hard time coordinating their minds with their bodies. All sensory-based motor disorders are lifelong disorders. ​Click on the senses to learn more about them and spot the red flags
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Tactile Sensitivity (touch)
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Gustatory System (taste)
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Proprioception System (deep pressure)
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Sensory-Based Motor Disorder: is defined as a motor challenge with an underlying sensory basis. All sensory-based motor disorders are lifelong disorders.
Sensory Discrimination Disorder: A person's brain jumbles or confuses information, making it difficult for them to determine the source, frequency or pitch of a sensation.
Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD): is a neurological function and is the organization of sensory information for on-going use. Efficient sensory modulation is the ability to effectively regulate the degree to which one is influenced by various sensory inputs.
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Tactile Overresponsivity (Tactile Defensiveness)... So That's Why He Acts That Way!
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How does Sensory Processing impact handwriting?
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The lower body to have proper support for writing.
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Needs assistance to write with appropriate pressure.
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Needs assistance with positioning of letters like b, d, p, and q.
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Needs to build fine motor skills to hold the pencil with three fingers.
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How does Sensory Processing affect handwriting?
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Needs assistance with determining how much pressure to use when holding a writing utensil.
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Needs help with determining the difference between letter placement/position like b, d, q, etc.
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Weakened strength in fine muscles needed to appropriately hold a pencil.
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Therapies to address SPD:
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Physical therapy using a sensory integration approach (PT-SI)
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Vision therapy to improve eye-motor skills for people who have trouble reading, merging into traffic, or writing
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Listening therapy (LT), which asks people with auditory issues to listen to a variety of sound frequencies and patterns to stimulate the brain while doing other motor tasks like walking on a balance beam
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Psychotherapy for people who have developed a mood disorder or anxiety because of SPD
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Speech and language therapy
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child. While you can’t change the entire world around them, you can help them feel more secure at home — and her bedroom is a great place to start. Check out this article to create a safe haven for your child to retreat to. DIY Projects that Will Help Create a Sensory-friendly Bedroom for Children with Autism
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38 Activities for Sensory Play. A small sampling of activities of the things children can do to help their sensory systems develop.
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​​Sensory Overload Hurts Young Brains-Science News Dec 10, 2016 This article talks about over stimulation of screen time affects the brain.
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Recommended books:
Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
Starting Sensory Integration Therapy: Fun Activities That Won't Destroy Your Home or Classroom
The Ultimate Guide to Sensory Processing Disorder: Easy, Everyday Solutions to Sensory Challenges
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, Revised Edition: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder
The Out-of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder
The Sensory Child Gets Organized: Proven Systems for Rigid, Anxious, or Distracted Kids
The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up: Coping with Sensory Processing Disorder in the Adolescent and Young Adult Years
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Local Providers:
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Advent Pediatric Therapy Services
Where: 3376 Linden Street Bethlehem, PA 18017
Call: 610-392-4339
Email:office@adventtherapy.com
Website: http://www.adventtherapy.com/therapie/
Amy Rau-Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Where: 418 Prospect St, Catasauqua, PA 18032
Call: 610-606-8250
Website: www.AmyRauOTR.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyrauot/
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Backyard Treehouse Pediatric Therapy Center #: (610) 365-8989
25 S Broad Street, Nazareth, PA 18064
*Does not accept medical assistance
Website: http://www.backyardtreehousetherapy.com/#
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Bethlehem Pediatric Therapy Services
Where: 3012 Emrick Blvd, Bethlehem, PA 18020
Call: (610) 625-4404
Website: https://www.bethlehempediatric.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/144243092253038/posts/we-are-so-excited-to-offer-the-safe-and-sound-protocol-at-our-clinic-beginning-a/1882301531780510/
Cindy Miles
Where: 3721 Crescent Court West, Whitehall, PA 18052
Call: 610-820-7667
Email: staff@cindymiles.com
Website: http://cindymiles.com/
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Easton Hospital
Where: 3143 William Penn Highway, Easton, PA 18045
Call: 610-250-4232
Website: https://www.easton-hospital.org/76/service/rehabilitation-services
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Epic Health Services
Where: 5000 Tilghman Street, Suite 157, Allentown, PA 18104
Call: 610-432-7403
Website: https://epicpediatrictherapy.com/services/occupational-therapy/
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Good Shepherd
Services: The Summer Boost Program ages newborn to 21 yrs
is an intensive short course for adolescents who don't have summer
school based services.
Where: 1651 N Cedar Crest Blvd, Suite 100, Allentown, PA 18104
Call: (484) 788-0701
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Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown: 1243 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103-7982
Call: (610) 402-9770
Muhlenberg: 1770 Bathgate Road, Suite 200, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017-7334
Call: (484) 884-5437
​Easton: 2101 Emrick Road, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18020-8001
​Call: 610-866-9675
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Nelson Therapeutic Services, LLC #: (610) 462-4625
Services: We are a pediatric team providing in home physical, occupational, speech therapy and educational services to the Lehigh Valley and surrounding counties.
3124 Cambridge Cir, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/nelsontherapeutic/about/?ref=page_internal
Pediatric Therapy Associates Of The Lehigh Valley
Sally Abruzzese, MED, OTR-L
Where: 3440 Hamilton Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103
Call: (610) 821-0123
Email:pedstx@juno.com
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Pennsylvania Autism Action Center
Where: 2071 Route 209, Brodheadsville, PA 18322
Call: (570) 861-4255
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Sayegh Pediatric Therapy Services, PC
**Also has contracts for Agora Cyber School, Commonwealth Charge Academy, and PA Cyber School.
Email: info@sayeghpts.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayeghpts/
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St. Luke's Pediatric Therapy
Where: 153 Brodhead Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18017
Call: (484) 526-3200
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Sensory Gyms:
Live Learn and Play (ask about membership packages)
All of the pieces in our sensory gym were chosen to give individuals on the spectrum "proprioceptive input" or sensory input which is anything that pulls/pushes on your muscles and joints (hanging/climbing) or gives body movement (swinging, spinning, etc). This type of input has a calming and reorganizing effect in the brain for a lot of individuals on the spectrum. It's also a great way for kids to come together and just have fun with others of all ability levels. They can all learn from each other.
Where: PO Box 206, Emmaus, PA 18049
Call: 610-797-LIVE (5483)
Email: support@livelearnandplay.org
Website: www.livelearnandplay.org
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A Sense 4 Autism (currently looking for a permanent bldg in the Lehigh Valley
Email:asense4autism@gmail.com
Website: www.asense4autism.weebly.com
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Regional Providers:
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Children's Specialized Hospital
Where: 150 New Providence Road, Mountainside, New Jersey 07092
Call: 1-888-244-5373
Website: https://www.childrens-specialized.org/programs-and-services/outpatient-programs/occupational-therapy
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NeuroSensory Center of Eastern PA
Services: is a diagnostic and treatment facility dedicated to serving patients with neurosensory disorders. Our staff, including a neurodevelopmental optometrist, a vision therapist, neurosensory specialists, R.N.’s and L.P.N.’s, and diagnostic technicians, serve patients with disorders including, but not limited to: Dizziness, Vertigo, Chronic Headaches, Migraines, Dyslexia, Sensory Integration Disorders, Post-Concussion and Head Injury, ADD/ADHD and Autistic Spectrum Disorders.
Where: 250 Pierce Street, Suite 317, Kingston, PA 18704
Call: 570-763-0054
Email: info@keystonensc.com
Website: http://keystonensc.com/
Talk School
Services: Soma®, DIR Floortime Therapy and Sensory Integration
Where: 6 Campus Boulevard, Newtown Square, PA 19073
Call: 610.356.5566
Website: https://www.talkinc.org/rapid-prompting-method
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Popular products that address sensory needs:
Hanna Anderson Girls Underwear
Seamless Hipster Underwear
Lycra Bed twin Sheet
Sensory Sack
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​Tips on designing your own sensory room at home:
Sensory Room: How to Build a Successful Sensory Room for Greater Brain Development
Anxious Child: Toys for Anxious Children, Self-Regulation and Emotional Grounding
Home Solutions to Cope with Sensory Processing Issues and Sensitivities
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Local Playgrounds and Sensory Gyms:
​A Sense 4 Autism
​Website: https://asense4autism.weebly.com/?fbclid=IwAR3UQvoQvBugvlNLJdWH10lyU1V5dR4bl2NSIVCGaGQIolyX9Kk2YVskkrI
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asense4autism/
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​Lehigh Valley Sensory Friendly Community Outings: