SENSORY NERVOUS SYSTEM

Attention is most often given to output (mobility, language and hand function) because it is easy to identify. For example, if a child has difficulty walking, we can see it, put a label on it and understand it. If, however, a child has a problem taking in information, it is not so easy to identify and address. An immaturity in the sensory area of the nervous system means that sensory information is taken in inaccurately and inconsistently resulting in an overload and shutdown. In other words, there is a problem with input. This can manifest in two ways: difficulty learning and behavioural symptoms. In order to learn effectively, we have to be able to accurately take in information through the senses. If the sensory nervous system is immature or underdeveloped, the information coming in is faulty or confused making learning that much more difficult. For example, there may be too much information coming in at once, overwhelming the system, which then cannot successfully process the large amount of data. As a result, the output, in the form of behaviour, will be representative of the distorted input and can be exhibited in such symptoms as jumping up and down, covering the ears, walking on the toes, eating only certain foods, flapping the hands, not talking, poor coordination etc…. All of these are symptoms of one problem - an immaturity in the sensory nervous system.

We, at A.N.D., do not treat these symptoms specifically or in isolation; we treat the problem at its source. The problems are not found in the behaviour, learning difficulties or in the eyes or ears but rather in the fact that the brain is not working properly. We do not teach specific skills such as using vision better or being better coordinated and neither do we attempt to modify troubling behaviour. What we do teach, is for the nervous system to mature, do its job better and to learn better. If we address the cause and help the nervous system to mature, all the symptoms will lessen and skills will improve.