Sensory Integration Training
A service to help your child organize and respond to sensations, leading to improved self-regulation, coordination, and engagement in daily life
What is Sensory Integration Training?
Sensory integration training is a training approach that helps children process and respond to sensory input more effectively. It is a play-oriented, individualized program led by trained practitioners that uses structured activities and equipment like swings and trampolines to improve a child’s ability to organize “input” from their senses (touch, sight, sound, movement, taste, smell). This training aims to improve participation in daily activities, enhance motor skills and coordination.
How do I know if my child could benefit from sensory integration training?
Every training plan is based on an in-person assessment and detailed test results. The goal is to see whether your child’s everyday challenges are linked to differences in how their brain and body develop and process information.
To decide if training is needed, Kira must meet your child, collect background information, and observe. Only after this assessment can an effective training plan be recommended.
What does an assessment consist of?
Each assessment is preceded by the completion of a questionnaire with anamnestic data and a questionnaire on children’s sensory processing by the parent, which prepares the trainer for the assessment by gathering information about the period around conception, pregnancy, birth and its circumstances, and the period after birth.
During the examination, the trainer uses the same tools used in training to perform the Longitudinal Complex Test, called LongiKid®, which includes large and fine movements, a graphomotor test at the appropriate age, an assessment of social skills and cooperation, cognitive domains, basic vision, hearing and postural tests, and tasks to assess the maturity of the nervous system. The test is then evaluated using software, the results of which form the basis of a training proposal.
How does the training work?
The training tasks are carried out in the order, quantity, quality and at the intervals determined by the practitioner. TSMT ® training is usually carried out at home, in a joint training session between the child and the parent, or in special cases by a practitioner several times a week in the training room or in the child’s home.
These trainings are completely tailored to the child, the same training may be completely ineffective, possibly harmful or impractical for other children! The training tasks are chosen by the practitioner from hundreds of tasks, because only a targeted administration of stimulus can achieve an improving effect. The practitioner helps the child’s nervous system to mature by means of this targeted stimulation, which is adapted to the child’s workload and level of development, alternating active and passive tasks using gymnastic equipment.
During the training program, the tasks are always accompanied by a rhythmical accompaniment, always vocal, melodic or chanting, to help the child’s development in the motor, psychic, cognitive and social areas. The training aims to achieve the goals we set together.
How long does the training take?
Training continues until:
- The child’s reached the targeted goals, eg, improving balance, motor skills, or gaining self-confidence.
- Missing skills have developed and become stable.
- The child is ready to join a group training or sport activity.
Individual TSMT® I sessions continue as long as they are helpful and improve the bonding between the child and the parent, creating a positive effect on their relationship.
Kíra Kovács
Sensory Integration Trainer
Kíra is our Sensory Integration Trainer. She uses the Targeted Sensory Motor Training® in the Zürich and Basel areas.
She has over 5 years experience as a Sensory Integration Trainer. She learned this method as a postgraduate specialisation. During her work, she collaborates with Speech and Language Therapists, Teachers and Psychologists.
Kíra has a masters diploma of Sociology and Teaching at the Faculty of Arts, University of Miskolc, Hungary. She has been granted British Qualified Teacher Status by the British Teaching Council. She has over 10 years experience in an international environment, specifically in the environment of multilingual families and children, who have significant developmental delay due to atypical development of nervous system and premature status.
For further information about Sensory Integration Training assessments and developmental programs, please email Kíra at: kira.kovacs@foundationsforlearning.ch.