Occupational Therapy refers to how our body receives, understands, and uses information from the senses. One component of this process is sensory integration, which includes interpretation, coordination, and organization of sensation. Efficient sensory integration lets us plan appropriate actions and behaviors and learn new skills. Sensory information comes from all senses and may originate from one’s body (balance sense, joint and muscle sense, touch sense) or the environment (sight, sound, temperature, and texture).  The two sensory integration components are sensory modulation and sensory discrimination. These components are interrelated and important for the acquisition of motor and perceptual skills.

Sensory Modulation: Refers to the nature and intensity of our reactions to sensation.  This includes whether a sensation arouses or calms, irritates or soothes, distracts or helps focus attention, or feels threatening or comforting.  Effective sensory modulation enables us to make an appropriate response. Problems in sensory modulation may affect behavior, emotions, motor responses, and other skills.