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Deer River HealthCare Center Adds New
Rehabilitation Therapy
Deer River HealthCare Center offers Sensory Defensiveness (S.D.) for children and adults through their Rehabilitation Department.
Sensory Defensiveness is an over reaction of normal, reactive senses. Everyone has this to some degree, yet individuals with S.D. have their own response style. For example, a child with S.D. may complain about the roughness of the tags on their shirts and the seams of their socks. They may be oversensitive to certain food flavors and textures. Haircuts/hair brushing may be a source of anxiety and frustration.
While S.D. can occur among all ages, it is estimated that between 12-17 percent of all children have some degree of sensory integration dysfunction.
Individuals with S.D. may exhibit patterns of avoidance, sensory seeking, fear, anxiety, or even aggression. These symptoms fluctuate widely and may be misidentified as emotional based. The DRHC rehabilitation department is committed to reach out to the pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations with sensory defensiveness.
Diagnosis represented with Sensory Defensiveness include: ADD, ADHD, Agoraphobia, Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar, and Autism and many others. If Sensory Defensiveness is identified, it needs to be treated first as it may mask or exacerbate symptoms of other disorders.
Tom Dosen-Windorski and LaNea Johnson, OTR/L attended a three-day, hands-on workshop in Hartford, Connecticut entitled "Sensory Defensiveness: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach" presented by Patricia Wilbarger, Med, OTR, FAOTA with Avanti Educational Programs. The focus of the workshop was to identify sensory defensiveness in patients and learn and practice various therapeutic techniques. The importance of neuroscience concepts and implementation of practices in therapeutic rehabilitation were discussed. There is scientific research that identifies this treatment to release natural neurotransmitters in the brain and does not interfere with medications. Techniques learned include, but are not limited to: deep pressure proprioceptive and oral techniques, sensory diet, various and individualized treatment options.
Because of the impact of S.D. on some individuals, the treatment approach Dosen-Windorski and Johnson can offer will help regulate and modulate the body's systems. S.D. encompasses tactile, oral, proprioceptive, auditory, and visual defensiveness, gravitational and postural insecurity, over-reaction or over sensitivity to smell, and other sensory areas including taste, temperature, vibration, etc.
The full-time DRHC rehabilitation team provides therapy for all ages, from problems present at birth to disabilities associated with aging. The team includes three licensed physical therapists, two physical therapist assistants, two registered and licensed occupational therapists, one certified occupational therapy assistant, and one certified speech therapist.
ABOUT DEER RIVER HEALTHCARE CENTER
Deer River HealthCare Center, Inc. (DRHC) is a non-profit community owned and operated comprehensive health care campus. Located in Deer River, Minnesota, with a service area consisting of a 50-mile radius, the staff of over 200 health care workers offers area residents a wide range of high-quality health care services - in one convenient location. Deer River HealthCare Center is committed to providing quality, compassionate health care for life.
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