Sensory integration therapy (SIT) in the assistance to child population: integrative literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Sensory Integration is a neurological process that organizes and integrates sensory information in an appropriate way, causing the body to produce adaptive responses. Ayres created the theory and the Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) to study this brain function and the learning disorders in children that he faced in his professional practice. Objective: To analyze, through a literature review, the benefits of Sensory Integration Therapy in assisting the development of the Child Population. Methods: Searches were made in the BVS, LILACS and Scielo databases, including articles in Portuguese, English and Spanish and excluding theses, dissertations, monographs and repeated articles. After analyzing the articles, 13 of them were selected to compose the present results. Results: After the Sensory Integration Therapy, children started to have better communication, writing and articulation of words, in addition to better social interaction with their own family and with other children. The use of Therapy was seen in contexts of food selectivity and autism, helping the child to identify and organize the information and stimuli received, also influencing the Daily Living Activities such as eating, dressing and cleaning. Conclusion: Sensory Integration Therapy has been increasingly used and required of occupational therapists, to assist the child population for the benefits generated by this approach such as improvement in ADLs and social participation.