Page 9

Understanding Asperger Syndrome
Sensory Integration Dysfunction

The Proprioceptive System and AS

Hypersensitivity Hyposensitivity
  • Tense, painful muscles
  • Rigid movements
  • Locking of joints to stabilize movement
  • High registration of tactile stimuli
  • Weak, loose muscles and joints
  • Floppy, awkward movement
  • Difficulty sustaining postural stance
  • Low registration of tactile stimuli
Behavioral Response Behavioral Response
  • Avoidance of activities that require movement
  • Walking on toes
  • Slow to respond to directional change
  • Avoids sensory feedback
  • Watches limbs to track movement
  • Loose grasp, drops thing easily
  • Falls and crashes into objects
  • Can't walk in a straight line
  • Craves sensory feedback

Sensory systems integrate to perform many important functions...

Example: Motor Planning (Praxis)

Motor planning is the ability to conceive of, organize, and carry out sequential physical actions. It requires accurate information from all of the sensory systems, with special emphasis on the integration of the tactile, vestibular and proprioceptive senses.

Sensory Integration Dysfunction in motor planning results in dyspraxia, or dysfunction of praxis. Many individuals with AS have dyspraxia, resulting in poor gross and fine motor skills.

When considering Sensory Integration Dysfunction...

  • Everyone is susceptible to sensory processing problems caused by overload, deprivation or specific environmental or emotional issues.

  • The degree, consistency, and circumstance of dysfunction is much greater in individuals with Asperger Syndrome.

  • Individuals with Sensory Integration Dysfunction may not exhibit all the characteristics and may change day to day.

  • Issues of hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity can co-exist.
Previous Page     Next Page     Home

Page 9

home      Understanding Asperger Syndrome: Diagnostic Overview

about Nan Lester            directions to office            Facilitated Mirroring: Group Therapy model (2006)