Description

Sensory integration is the process of taking in information about the world around us with all our senses and from inside our own bodies. Through integrating and organizing the senses of vision, auditory, touch, movement, muscle awareness, taste, and smell, we are able to interact comfortably and efficiently in work, play and through social interaction.

Broadly stated, sensory integration is the brain's organization of sensory input. As we move, touch, are touched, and place pressure on our joints and limbs, the brain is informed about the body's position in space and where our various parts are in relation to one another. The integration of these senses allows us to move them in a coordinated fashion. Through effective sensory integration, the many parts of the nervous system work together so that a person can interact with his environment effectively and experience the joy of unconscious coordinated movement. The efficient organization of sensory input forms the foundation for all higher learning. Many problems in attention, reading and writing have their basis in poor or disorganized sensory input. Many interventions, therefore, address sensory integration problems by using a variety of tactile, motor and movement activities to help the organization of sensory input and function of the vestibular system.

Dr. Alfred Tomatis was among the first to recognize that sound can be used to stimulate the vestibular portion of the vestibulocochlear system, and therefore the body. The vestibule is a small part of the inner ear adjoining the cochlea, which is the hearing part of the inner ear. The vestibule includes three semicircular canals, the utricle and saccule. These fluid-filled chambers have small hair cells that move in response to motion and inform the body about acceleration and deceleration movements, up and down movements, and also rotational movements. Many techniques that occupational therapists trained in sensory integration utilize are aimed at stimulating the vestibular system. SI Classic 1 incorporates sound specifically designed to help address this important integration of sensory information. Music recorded with specific emphasis in low and mid range frequencies, such as the cello and bass viola, has been used to enhance and support stimulation to and awareness of the body.


Music

The music selected and recorded for Sensory Integration Classic CD 1 include compositions by Mozart, Bach, Salieri, Telemann and Lawrence


Applications

Sensory Integration Classic CD 1 stimulates the lower frequencies to help people who have problems related to the vestibular system and integration of sensory input. Although this is not an all inclusive list, issues that may be helped include: balance, movement, coordination, rhythm, body schema, left-right discrimination, spatial awareness, sensory defensiveness, hypersensitive hearing, and emotional regulation. Individuals on the autistic spectrum benefit greatly from this CD as do those who need to a better sense of their body, feeling more comfortable and grounded through the stimulation of the lower frequencies before experiencing CDs with high pass filtration such as those in The Listening Program Classic Kit. Additionally, SI Classic 1 may help with athletic ability through improved body and spatial awareness, as well as improved balance and motor integration.