Mental Retardation: Physical Therapy and Sensory Integration

Physical therapy may be conducted in schools, in the home or institution, or at physical therapy facilities. Physical therapy helps mentally retarded individuals to develop the gross motor skills required for everyday activities. It also promotes flexibility and stimulates mentally retarded individuals' learning abilities through sensory integration activities.

Sensory integration is a natural process used by the body to interpret sensory information concerning the environment. Normally, the various senses work collaboratively to help people navigate their surroundings. However, children with learning disabilities, including some mentally retarded children, often have difficulty coordinating sensory input. Sensory integration activities help these individuals to process their sensory information more effectively.

Children with sensory issues have difficulty filtering sensory input. Their sensory systems may be either hyperactive or hypoactive, and unable to properly block out signals that should be ignored or to amplify signals that should be heeded. Children with hyperactive (overactive) sensory systems may avoid motion, be very prone to motion sickness, and resist engaging in activities like climbing or descending stairs. They may seek support from other people while walking. In contrast, children with hypoactive (underactive) sensory systems may actively seek out motion, enjoy swinging and climbing activities, and not become dizzy after spinning.

Sensory integration activities address children's sensory needs by either lessening or amplifying the intensity of various forms of sensory stimulation they receive. Most sensory integration activities work with children's vestibular, proprioceptive, and tactile sensory systems.

The vestibular sensory system helps people to be able to stand and to coordinate their movements. It involves sensory input from vision and from special sensory organs located in the inner ear. Activities that stimulate the vestibular system involve movement; swinging, jumping, and spinning are good examples. A therapist seeking to help children with hypoactive sensory systems might engage them in structured movement exercises that would meet their sensory needs, such as swinging, jumping, and spinning, while helping them stay within socially acceptable bounds.

The proprioceptive sensory system helps people to have information concerning their body positioning. Proprioceptive feedback helps people coordinate fine motor activities like coloring within lines or buttoning a shirt. It also helps with motor planning, or the ability to coordinate different motor tasks to complete an activity. Activities that stimulate the proprioceptive system include deep pressure, hugging, and climbing.

Only some mentally retarded individuals require physical therapy. Whether physical therapy is beneficial has to do with the underlying condition that has caused mental retardation in the first place. For example, some forms of mental retardation, such as Fragile X syndrome, are often accompanied by sensory challenges as well as intellectual deficits. These individuals are easily distracted by noises or smells. Individuals with Cockayne syndrome frequently need physical therapy to help prevent joint contractions that limit their ability to walk. Individuals who have Prader-Willie syndrome have low muscle tone, which physical therapy helps address.