Aistihäiriöissä

Aistihäiriöissä is a Finnish term that translates to "sensory processing disorders" or "sensory integration disorders" in English. These are not standalone diagnoses but rather describe difficulties individuals may experience in how their nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to sensory information from their environment. The sensory systems involved include not only the commonly known sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, but also the vestibular (movement and balance) and proprioceptive (body awareness) systems.

Individuals with aistihäiriöissä might be over-responsive, under-responsive, or have a seeking response to sensory input. For example, someone might be hypersensitive to loud noises or certain textures, finding them overwhelming and distressing. Conversely, another person might be hyposensitive, meaning they require more intense sensory stimulation to register it, and may actively seek out such input through activities like crashing, spinning, or touching everything. Some may also have difficulties with sensory discrimination, making it hard to distinguish between similar stimuli.

These challenges can impact daily functioning, affecting learning, social interactions, motor skills, and emotional regulation. Aistihäiriöissä can co-occur with other conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, and learning disabilities, though they can also exist independently. Assessment and intervention are often provided by occupational therapists who use sensory integration techniques to help individuals develop more adaptive responses to sensory input. The goal is to improve participation in meaningful activities and enhance overall well-being.