How is sensory information processed?

The senses include sight, hearing, sense of smell, taste, sense of touch, equilibrium and proprioception (sense of position). In general, sensory perception will lead either to action or a decision not to act. The link between the senses and the resulting activity is known as sensorimotor information processing, hereafter: SI.

Problems with SI result from the disturbed processing of these sensory stimuli. This can result in clients responding as though they were in danger (flight or fight), or ignoring sensory stimuli entirely. They focus their attention in the wrong direction and fail to adequately observe their own bodily movements. This leads to problems with concentration and learning, and a failure to make sufficient use of the information relayed by muscles and joints (proprioception).

Clients who have difficulty processing sensory information cannot rely on information from their senses, even though the senses themselves are intact. They may then lose touch with themselves. This can result in: engaging in extreme activities without seeing the danger or actually being afraid of the most minor activities; extreme reactions to stimuli that are normal for others; hyperactivity or, by contrast, inactivity and fatigue; clumsiness, frequent falls and balance problems; startled response to physical contact.

SI malfunction can result in extra problems, especially in clients who are agitated, anxious, awkward or highly sensitive. But also in clients with DCD, an allergy, an autism spectrum disorder or Down syndrome and in clients with a motor or intellectual disability. These clients behave erratically, they have difficulty concentrating and they cannot sit still. They are clumsy, fall frequently, have poor coordination, poor balance, difficulty with playing or playing with others, difficulty with dressing, and they respond emotionally for reasons that are unclear.