Sensory Integration Therapy
Sensory integration is a term used to describe processes in the brain that allow us to take in sensory information, organize it, and respond appropriately. Children with autism and sensory processing disorders can have difficulties with sensory integration that affect their behavior and life skills. As a result, some children may be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to stimuli in their surroundings. Sensory integration therapy is designed to help them cope with the challenges they have processing sensory input.
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Sensory Integration Therapy utilizing equine movement
In addition to the 5 senses of sight, sound, touch, taste and smell we also have the vestibular and proprioceptive sense. The vestibular sense (balance) tells us how to position our bodies
and heads and our proprioceptive sense (awareness of body in space) helps us know what to do with our joints, muscles and ligaments. For the child with sensory processing disorders, equine movement provides an abundance of all sensory input on a repetitive basis throughout the session. The therapist carefully introduces, increases and decreases this sensory input to challenge the child and help them learn how to achieve more efficient self-regulation.
Sensory Integration Therapy on the farm
Our farm-based curriculum promotes executive function, sensory integration, self-regulation, and motor skills in clients. The farm offers a variety of sensory experiences through interaction with the animals as well as the daily activities that take place running the farm. Sessions can take place inside or outside and in individual or small group settings.