
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