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Expert Q&A

	By Dr. Bunni Tobias Kid Detective Psychologist

My son was tested for autism, but I was told he has sensory integration (SI). In my search I've noticed Asperger's and SI behaviors are similar. What is the difference?

This is an excellent but VERY complicated question. The overlap among these categories is apparent when you read about any or all of them. I will say that in my experience, I have not seen an autistic child who did not have sensory integration issues, but have seen many children with sensory integration issues who are clearly not autistic. Some SI kids display repetitive movements or patterns as one example. This has long been considered a symptom of autism, though in general terms, repetitive movements are often used to stabilize and relax the nervous system. Children with SI may struggle to transition from activity to activity. The following will be helpful:

Motor planning (praxis) is the planning required in the brain before the body is able to perform a series of movement patterns. It occurs, again, in sequence. This is absolutely necessary for the development and refinement of gross and fine motor skills. Motor planning is the first step in learning new skills. It requires that the brain receive accurate information from all of the sensory systems of the body. This information is received from the eyes, ears, skin, muscles and joints. Each time a child is presented with an unfamiliar motor task or a new assignment, the ability to motor plan comes into play.

Transitioning is the ability to go from one place, activity or idea to another in order to participate in transition smoothly and comfortably. An individual must have a solid perception of physical reality, the spatial context of the part and anticipation of the projected sequence of events. The movement within and between environments increases the processing demand. The child must process and interrelate all the sensory data at a rapid pace. As the pace increases, the anticipation of relative time for events must be calculated.

Personally, I take an "intervention/observe/intervention/observe" approach to diagnose anything. In other words, find a qualified occupational therapist who is certified in sensory integration to complete an assessment including the SIPT test. This will provide you with an excellent program and allow you to set up a treatment plan for your child. If you are very consistent with treatment and use the "sensory diet" they prescribe for you to do at home, you will see some nice changes, which will help clarify a diagnosis if you need one. I am wary of labels as you already know if you've seen my Web site. I am concerned about children getting "pidgeon-holed" and limitations assumed. I see the sad results of this daily. Obtaining services with regular reviews is the best way not to get stuck in a label and allows you to remain open minded and optimistic!

In any case, be sure your child and your family have a healthy diet. Fast foods are not a food group and don't contribute to brain function and vitality. Also, check for allergies, heavy metals and other metabolic issues. The literature is rich with promise in these areas, and establishing healthy eating habits is a lifelong gift you can give your children."

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