For many children with learning problems, the terms "perceptual disorder" or "sensory integration disorder" come up. What is meant by this? Every impression received through our sensory system is a "Perception"which the brain has to process. If there is a lack of processing of the sensory impression in a specific area in the development of a child, we speak of a "perception disorder" or also "perception processing disorder". Since we have different sensory channels, we distinguish in
- Visual (visual) perceptual disorder
- Visuo-constructive distorted spatial perception
- Auditory (Hearing) Perceptual disorder
- Tactile sensory deprivation
The sensory organs are not impaired
In a child suffering from perceptual disorders, the sensory organs themselves are often not impaired. Vision or hearing is usually just as well developed as in other children, but must first be checked by an ear or eye specialist.
Visual Perception Disorder
Children with visual processing disorders have normal vision, but they cannot process the sensory impressions they receive as well as other children or assign the correct meaning to them.
Examples:
- reading is difficult for you (letters are often reversed)
- are motorically clumsy and are already conspicuous in kindergarten because they do not like to paint, cut or do handicrafts.
- Problems in graphomotor skills, poor fine motor skills or problems in eye-hand coordination and thus poor handwriting, does not stay in lines when writing.
visuo-constructive perception disorder
Children with disorders of visuo-constructive perception have difficulty grasping the spatial location of an object or thinking spatially.
Examples:
- The way to school must often be practiced and cannot be reconstructed
- Children do not like to draw and have difficulties with cutting out, handicrafts or playing Lego
- The tracing of simple objects succeeds only with difficulty
- Constructive games (Lego, building blocks, puzzles) are avoided
Auditory Perceptual Disorder
Children suffering from an auditory perception disorder have difficulties in correctly classifying different sounds or in distinguishing sounds (acoustic discrimination).
Examples:
- Language learning disorders
- Problems with spelling
Tactile sensory disorder
Children who have difficulties in body perception, for example, do not notice when they are too hot or too cold. Or, even at primary school age, they do not notice when their nose is running and it would be necessary to reach for a handkerchief.
Examples:
- Frequent falls, thereby lack of pain sensation
- Tactile hypersensitivity, can poorly tolerate touch
- Cannot wear certain clothing or clothing materials on the body
What therapy
The following therapeutic concepts are applied:
Sensory integration therapy, psychomotricity, promotion of fine and graphomotricity, body perception and motor dexterity, practice of action sequences in everyday activities in the family and in kindergarten/school, promotion of perception according to Affolter.
Usually occupational therapists, curative teachers or physiotherapists with additional training carry out the treatment. The therapy takes place in an individual or group setting and should always include parental support.
Costs for diagnostics and therapy
As a rule, the costs are covered by health insurance.