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Sensory integration from an occupational therapy perspective


Sociology International Journal
António Arsénio Duarte 

Abstract

An analysis of Sensory Integration in the view of Occupational Therapy (OT) in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), which is important for the development of newborn babies, considering the medical and surgical involvement, and the excessive sensory stimuli to which these babies are subjected at a stage when they should be in an intrauterine environment. Occupational Therapy (OT) is fundamental to Sensory Integration as it combines theoretical concepts, the needs of preterm babies, their families and the environment, with practice. An interview script was used to gather information about the units, and nine health professionals who worked in the area, or in pediatrics with premature babies, took part. It was found that there is a great shortage of professionals in the NICU teams, essentially in rehabilitation, and that OT is proving to be an asset in the rehabilitation process of this population.

Keywords

neonatal intensive care units, preterm infant, occupational therapy, sensory integration, sensory modulation

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