Sensory Integration Therapy
Does your child struggle with everyday sensations – perhaps covering their ears in noisy places, avoiding certain textures, or constantly seeking movement? Our Sensory Integration Therapy in Hillcrest is designed to help children who experience the world a bit differently through their senses. We transform therapy into a fun adventure, using swings, textures, and games to gently challenge and develop your child’s sensory processing abilities.
Who It’s For
Sensory Integration (SI) therapy benefits children who are oversensitive or under-sensitive to sensory input. This can include kids with Sensory Processing Disorder, those on the autism spectrum, ADHD, or any child who finds typical sensations overwhelming or insufficient. For example, if your child has meltdowns in noisy, crowded environments, is extremely picky about clothing fabrics or food textures, dislikes being touched, or conversely seems to crave crashing, jumping, and constant motion – SI therapy could help. Typically, we see children from toddler age through elementary years for sensory-based challenges, but older kids and even teens can benefit as well. Parents often seek us out when sensory issues start affecting daily life: trouble focusing in class due to every little noise, difficulty with grooming (like hair washing or nail cutting), or behaviour problems stemming from sensory overload.
What to Expect
We’re proud to have a specially equipped sensory gym at Polkadot Sparrow. When your child comes for a sensory integration session, they’ll find enticing equipment like indoor swings, a foam crash pit, balance beams, textured mats, large therapy balls, tunnels, and more. The therapist will create a “just right challenge” for your child each session – meaning activities that are fun and engaging, but also target the sensory areas that need development. For instance, for a child who is touch-defensive, we might play in a ball pit, explore bins of rice or sand with toys, or do a “lotion drawing” game on their hands to gradually increase tactile tolerance. For a child who’s constantly on the move and seeking input, we might have them swing in a blanket swing to song rhythms, crash into the foam pit safely, or navigate an obstacle course that provides deep pressure and heavy work (proprioceptive input). Throughout these activities, the therapist is observing your child’s reactions and adjusting the input: maybe spinning slower or faster, adding music or dimming lights, offering noise-cancelling headphones if needed – whatever helps regulate the experience. Parental involvement is encouraged; you might be taught some “sensory diet” activities to do at home, like pillow squishes before school to provide calming pressure, or a brushing protocol if appropriate. Each session looks like play (and it is fun!), but there’s a lot of therapeutic science behind it. Our therapists are certified in Ayres Sensory Integration® and skilled at grading the activities so your child is challenged but not overwhelmed.
How It Helps
Over time, sensory integration therapy can “re-wire” the brain’s responses to sensory input. With regular sessions, many parents notice their child become calmer, more organized, and better able to handle everyday sensations. Perhaps your little one who used to meltdown at birthday parties now can enjoy a friend’s noisy party for an hour, or the child who wouldn’t wear shoes with socks now tolerates them and can participate in PE class. We often see improvements in attention span and play skills as sensory processing improves – when a child’s nervous system isn’t in “fight or flight” from sensory overload, they can focus and learn more easily. We also arm you and your child with practical strategies: for example, if loud assemblies are tough, maybe using earplugs or a quiet corner; if tactile input is an issue, learning massage or compression techniques to calm the skin. Families in Durban who have gone through our SI program report smoother daily routines (e.g. calmer bedtimes, easier school mornings) and a happier child who is now more comfortable in their own body and environment. Essentially, sensory integration therapy helps turn sensory challenges into sensory strengths, giving your child – and your family – newfound confidence and peace in day-to-day life.