What is the purpose of sensory integration therapy?

The purpose of sensory integration therapy is primarily to target children's specific sensory challenges. This type of therapy is aimed at helping individuals, particularly those with developmental disorders like autism or sensory processing disorders, to process and respond to sensory information more effectively.

Sensory integration therapy involves activities that are designed to meet the individual sensory needs of a child, thereby improving their ability to interact with their environment. By addressing these sensory challenges, the therapy helps children to better regulate their bodies, engage in everyday activities, and participate in learning and play.

In the context of the other choices, enhancing academic achievement, improving social interactions, and providing physical education support may all be valuable outcomes or benefits of sensory integration therapy, but they are not its primary purpose. Sensory integration therapy focuses specifically on helping children understand, respond to, and manage sensory input, which can consequently support broader developmental goals, such as academic success and social skills, as by improving sensory processing abilities.