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Contact Information:
Children’s Therapy Specialists
River Street School Annex
601 River Street
Windsor, CT 06095
298-9079 X 2252 or 2253
Fax: (860)683-2398
Clinical Coordinator: Rosemarie Saccomandi, OTR/L.
Receptionist: Francine Zitta
Billing Clerk: Cathy Madore
Clinic Hours: Monday-Saturday, day and evening hours
Click here to download the CTS brochure
 What is Sensory Integration?
All day, every day, we receive information from our senses-touch, hearing, sight, taste, smell, body position, and movement and balance. Our brains must organize this information so that we can successfully function in all aspects of daily life-at home, at school, at play, at work, and during social interactions.
The five senses that respond to external stimuli include: hearing, seeing, taste, smell, and touch. The tactile sense, which includes deep and light pressure receptors, which activate the discrimination and protective systems, combines with the proprioception and vestibular systems to make up the body-centered sensory systems that provide the sense of oneself in the world. The vestibular system responds to changes in head and body movement through space and coordinates movements of the head, eyes, and body. Our proprioceptive system gives us an unconscious awareness of sensations from muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints or “position sense.” To do a job well, so that we respond appropriately, the senses must work together. Sensory integration is the neurological process of organizing the information we get from our bodies and from the world around us for use in daily life.
For most children, sensory integration develops in the course of ordinary childhood activities. The organization of behavior, learning and performance is a natural outcome of the process, as is the ability to adapt to incoming sensations. But for some children, sensory integration does not develop as efficiently as it should. When the process is disorder, a number of problems in learning, development, or behavior may become evident to families and professionals.
 Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), first identified by Dr. A. Jean Ayres, is a problem in how children use sensory information for self-regulation and skill development. Also known as Sensory Integration Disorder (DSI) children with SPD may demonstrate behaviors characteristics listed below.
- Over- or under sensitive to touch, sounds, sights, movement, tastes, or smells
- Intense, out-of-proportion reactions to everyday experiences
- Resists changes in routines and moving from activity to activity
- Unusually high or low activity level
- Difficulty handling frustration
- Seems impulsive, with little or no self-control
- Problems paying attention and staying focused
- Dislikes getting "messy" (food, sand, glue, paint, lotion) on hands or face
- Bothered by certain clothing fabrics, seams, tags, waistbands, etc.
- Resists grooming activities i.e.; brushing teeth, hair washing, or nail cutting
- Avoids touch-or needs it more than other children
- Unusually high or low pain tolerance
- Fearful of movement activities (swings, see-saw, etc.)
- Avoids or excessively craves slides, swings, bouncing, rocking, jumping
- Has poor balance, falls often, or runs awkwardly
- Seems weaker or less coordinated than other children his age
- Seems to walk on tiptoes
- Touches walls or furniture when walking
- Pushes, hits, bites, or bangs into other children although he/she isn't aggressive
- Overly sensitive to noise (sirens, vacuum cleaner, etc.)
- Seems to hear things you don't hear
- Doesn't seem to hear you, although you know he can hear
- Gets dizzy easily-or never at all
- Squints, blinks, or rubs eyes frequently
- Has trouble reading
- Withdraws, "tunes out," or cries in group situations
- Avoids foods most children of same age enjoy
- Craves or avoids particular food textures-chewy, crunchy, slippery, etc.
- Frequently chews on clothing or hair
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks; writing, buttons, stringing beads, scissors, etc.
- Poor handwriting and drawing skills
- Speech-language, motor skill, or learning delays
- Inconsistent sleep and hunger patterns
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Sensory Integration Disorder
Sesnsory Integration Disorder
or Sensory Processing Disorder is a problem in processing sensations, which causes difficulties in daily life. SPD is a complex neurological disorder, manifested by difficulty detecting, modulating, discriminating or integrating sensation adaptively. This causes children to process sensation from the environment or from their bodies in an inaccurate way, resulting in "sensory seeking" or "sensory avoiding" patterns or "dyspraxia", a motor planning problem.
 When the process of Sensory Integration is disordered, a number of problems in learning, motor development or behavior may be observed:
- Overly sensitive to touch, movements, sights, or sounds. Behavior issues: distractible, withdrawal when touched, avoidance of textures, certain clothes, and foods. Fearful reactions to ordinary movement activities such as playground play. Sensitive to loud noises. May act out aggressively with unexpected sensory input.
- Underreactive to sensory stimulation. Seeks out intense sensory experiences such as body whirling, falling and crashing into objects. May appear oblivious to pain or to body position. May fluctuate between under and over-responsiveness.
- Unusually high/low activity level. Constantly on the move or may be slow to get going, and fatigue easily.
- Coordination problems. May have poor balance, may have great difficulty learning a new task that requires motor coordination, appears awkward, stiff, or clumsy.
- Delays in academic achievement or activities of daily living. May have problems in academic areas, despite normal or above normal intelligence. Problems with handwriting, scissors use, tying shoes, buttoning and zipping clothes.
- Poor organization of behavior. May be impulsive, distractible, lack of planning in approach to tasks, does not anticipate result of actions. May have difficulty adjusting to a new situation or following directions. May get frustrated, aggressive, or withdraw when they encounter failure.
- Poor self-concept. May appear lazy, bored, or unmotivated. May avoid tasks and appear stubborn or troublesome.
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About the Children's Therapy Specialists
At Children’s Therapy Specialists, an occupational therapist trained in sensory integration can evaluate your child and help to identify if their behaviors or characteristics are a result of sensory processing problems. Following the evaluation goals are formulated and individual programs are planned. The therapists utilize a variety of theories and therapeutic approaches to treatment, including: sensory integration treatment, neuro-developmental activities, yoga and relaxation for children, and various therapeutic listening programs.
 Our therapy room is equipped with suspended equipment and an environment that provides a range of opportunities for sensory input while promoting physical development, motor planning and social skills. The Children’s Therapy Specialists are a group of licensed therapists recognized for their expertise, and caring and personal approach with clients and families.
Here are just a few excerpts from letters received by Children’s Therapy Specialists:
- “Your care and concern made all the difference.”
- “Ryan loved going to OT because you made it so much fun for him.”
- “Your advice has been wonderful and you have always been there with a strong shoulder to lean on.”
- “When I saw the angel of hope, I thought of you and your wonderful work with Matthew. You have given us hope for Matthew’s future.”
- “Jenny’s work with you has been a turning point for us. My own stress about how to meet her needs has lifted. She rides her bike that she ignored for 18 months; she tries to snap her clothes that have brought tears before. She calms down more effectively and quickly. She says, “I can do it!”
- “We are so grateful to you – your knowledge of SPD has taught us how to live with the daily challenges we face with Tyler. He has come such a long way – it’s because of you that he has more confidence in himself.
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Referral Process
Families are required to get a referral to the Children’s Therapy Specialists from their child’s primary care physician. A physician referral form can be downloaded from this website. Please send this referral form with your completed intake.
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Intake
After your initial inquiry, you can download the intake form from this website. Complete this form and mail it to us, Attention: Children's Therapy Specialists. This form will provide us with information about your present needs. Once we receive your intake form, we will review your intake information and contact you to schedule service or to schedule a phone intake with one of our therapists to obtain more information. Prior to your first session at the Clinic, you will meet with our billing department to review policies and procedures.
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Assessment
The Children’s Therapy Specialist assessment is designed to answer some of the questions families have as they seek to provide and advocate for their child’s needs at home, in school, and in the community. The initial assessment is often the first step to understanding your child’s behavior. Assessments are individualized and may be a combination of standardized tests and functional observations in a variety of activities. Family interviews provide valuable information to help the therapist better understand how a child perceives and responds to sensation. Therapists meet with family members to discuss assessment results and recommendations.
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Treatment
Treatment at Children’s Therapy Specialists is varied and designed to address the individual needs of the child. Our philosophy is to support what the child already knows about the way their system processes and uses sensation and activity to interact with their environment. The sensory integration approach is rich in vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile inputs; areas where many children with neurological issues have deficits. The approach seeks to encourage the nervous system to process and integrate sensory input in organized and meaningful ways, which will ultimately enhance the ability of the nervous system to function more adequately. Each adaptive response, as it provides feedback into the nervous system, encourages maturation and organization of the nervous system at increasingly higher levels. Ultimately the individual is able to interact with his/her environment in more successful and adaptive manners. The goal of our therapists is to improve your child’s ability to interact successfully with his environment, improving self-esteem, self-control, and attention span.
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 Children’s Therapy Specialist Services and Programs Include:
- Comprehensive Sensory-Motor Evaluations
- SIPT Evaluations
- Vision Screening
- Visual-Vestibular Treatment
- Therapeutic Listening Program®
- The Listening Program®
- Brain Gym®
- Bike Riding
- Yoga
- Interactive Metronome
- Fine Motor and Gross Motor Programs
- Handwriting Programs
- Self Help Programs
- Home Programs
- Sensory Diets
- Education and Training
Also available:
Speech and Language Therapy- Speech and language assessments and interventions are offered by a licensed speech pathologist. Comprehensive evaluations can address difficulties with language development, functional communication, pragmatics, articulation, and oral-motor skills.
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