Sensory integration

” When I did stims as dribbling sand through my fingers, it calmed me down. When I stemmed, sounds that hurt my ears stopped. Most kids with autism do these repetitive behaviors because it feels good in some way. It may counteract an overwhelming sensory environment. ” -Temple Grandin

Sensory integration is an unconscious process of the brain that organizes information by one’s senses giving meaning to what is experienced by shifting through all the information and selecting what to focus on that forms the underlying foundation for academic learning and social behavior.

“When the brain is not processing sensory input well, it usually is not directing behavior effectively either.”