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.

Why is Sensory Integration Important?

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 their environment effectively and experience the joy of unconscious coordinated movement.

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.

Benefits of the Sensory Integration Classic CD 1

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
• Emotional regulation

Guidelines for Use

TLP Specialized - Sensory Integration Classic CD can be used with children and adults. Each fifteen-minute segment has a different music tempo, with mid and low range instrumentation. Listeners may engage in activities or exercises that compliment the music. They are free to move about while listening. It is not necessary to practice active listening as with the other TLP CDs, as this series focuses on the body zone.

This CD may be appropriate for people who have issues related to the vestibular and proprioceptive systems. Although this is not an all-inclusive list, issues with these systems may include: balance, movement, coordination, rhythm, body scheme, position in space, and left-right discrimination. Therapists have reported many positive results using this CD with children considered to be in the autistic spectrum, reporting a calming effect and better ability to interact with others. This CD has been utilized to prepare individuals for The Listening Program by giving them a better sense of their body, feeling more comfortable and grounded as they prepare for listening to filtered high frequency sounds. Those with hypersensitivity to sound or difficulty with sound discrimination may also benefit from time spent listening to the Sensory Integration CD, perhaps due to the benefit of the low frequency gating in the B section. This type of gating provides valuable exercise to the middle ear muscles, helping their tone and thus making them more responsive to their task of directing the ossicles and eardrum, helping to amplify soft sounds and protect the inner ear from damaging harsh or loud noise.

Unlike the other TLP CDs, this CD may be played over speakers or with headphones. This makes it ideal for use in a group setting. Also, since this may be played through speakers it may be utilized for children under age three to assist with their foundational brain development. This will help prepare them for future listening through headphones at age three, to help tone the middle ear muscles, and to process full spectrum sound.

Note - This CD contains an equal channel balance, with no weighting to the right ear.

Listening Schedules

This CD can be used independent of The Listening Program (TLP), or preceding, during, or after regular TLP schedules. Listening times will vary according to the needs of the individual listener. There are many options for using this very adaptable series. We recommend taking a break after 2-3 weeks of continued use to prevent habituation. A trained professional will provide further assistance in determining your optimum schedule.

Maximum Daily Listening
Through headphones - 30 minutes per day
Through speakers - 60 minutes per day

Since this CD focuses on lower frequencies, too much daily listening will result in possible fatigue, so it may be best to use these maximum daily listening times. As with all TLP listening, listening is done for 5 consecutive days with 2 consecutive days off.