ORAL SENSORY INTEGRATION

Senses include touch, smell, taste, vision, and hearing. If your child has oral hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity, he/she may have either a highly aroused nervous system (which may not recognize common sensations as non-threatening), or an under aroused nervous system (which may need increased input as a prerequisite to initiating chewing and/or speaking). Since sensory is a prerequisite to movement, it is important to look at your child’s sensory system to address oral difficulties, and/or refer to an occupational therapist for the treatment options available for sensory disorders.

Signs that your child may have either a hyper- or hypo- oral sensory environment:

• resists trying new foods
• has a limited range of “safe” foods to eat
• has a hyperactive gag reflex
• hates brushing teeth
• Overstuffs his/her mouth with food
• Teeth Grinding
• Chews on fingers
• dislikes it when somebody tries to wipe his/her nose