A child who covers their ears in a crowd, avoids certain fabrics or never stops moving may be dealing with more than a phase. A HelloNation feature published June 26 draws on Kathy Schleifer, a pediatric occupational therapy expert in Pueblo, Colorado, to explain how sensory integration therapy addresses those behaviors.
Schleifer says every child experiences sensations differently, but some find ordinary input, such as bright lights or noisy rooms, too intense. Others seek movement constantly to stay alert. These habits can puzzle parents, she said, yet they often point to sensory challenges that therapy can address.
How the sessions work
Pueblo occupational therapists build individual plans around movement-based activities such as swinging, climbing and handling textured materials, the article says. Schleifer and her team design sessions that look like play but are planned to strengthen neural connections. A child balancing on a board, in her description, is training the brain to read motion and balance signals more smoothly.
Over time, the feature reports, the activities can bring better focus, calmer behavior and more participation in daily routines. Schleifer says progress often shows up in small ways: wearing new clothes comfortably, sitting through class without restlessness, joining a loud group activity without distress.
Sensory problems and autism
Parents often ask whether sensory processing difficulties are the same as autism. Schleifer says they are not. A child can have sensory challenges without being on the autism spectrum, and an autistic child may or may not be sensitive to sensory input. Therapists in Pueblo carry out thorough evaluations to map each child’s sensory profile before starting.
Work at home
Parents have a part in the process. Therapists give families strategies for home and school, among them weighted blankets, fidget tools and quiet spaces. Steady reinforcement from caregivers helps gains carry into everyday life, the article says.
Schleifer’s approach in Pueblo pairs physical movement with emotional support. Her example: a child who once feared certain sounds might learn to cope by combining movement with focused breathing, or by using a structured retreat space.
She says the work extends to mealtimes, getting dressed and school struggles, and that as children learn to recognize and adapt to sensory input, frustration and meltdowns often drop. Families may notice smoother transitions and better communication, according to the feature.
HelloNation describes itself as a media platform that connects readers with professionals and businesses, using what it calls an “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling. The piece is titled “What Is Sensory Integration Therapy? A Parent’s Guide from Pueblo’s OT Experts.”
