Every child deserves the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the world around them — to touch, move, listen, explore, and interact. For children on the autism spectrum, one of the biggest barriers to doing this naturally is sensory processing — how their brains perceive, interpret, and respond to sensory input (like sound, touch, movement, balance). Here we’ll explore the concept of sensory integration, how sensory issues show up in autism, and how one expert centre, IIAHP — based in Chandigarh — brings together therapies that help children build stronger bridges between the input they receive and the actions they take in the world. If you’re looking for Autism Treatment in Chandigarh and want to Get Therapies that address sensory-integration as part of a larger program, this post is for you.
What is Sensory Integration?
Sensory integration refers to the neurological process whereby we take in information from our senses (sight, sound, touch, movement, body position, balance) and then organise, interpret, and respond to it efficiently and appropriately. When this process works well, children can:
- tolerate and explore various textures, sounds, movement & changes in the environment
- use their body in space (balance, movement, coordination)
- filter out irrelevant sensory “noise” and focus on what matters at the moment
When there are challenges with sensory integration, children may appear over-sensitive (e.g., extremely bothered by sounds, lights, clothing tags) or under-sensitive (e.g., seeking out excessive movement, crashing into things, not noticing pain). They may appear uncoordinated, have difficulty organising their body, be either hyper-reactive or hypo-reactive to sensory input.
For children with autism, sensory integration difficulties are very common. These difficulties can affect:
- Social interaction (if the child is distracted or distressed by sensory input)
- Communication (if auditory-processing or tactile sensitivity makes it harder to speak or listen)
- Daily living (if tactile, vestibular or proprioceptive systems don’t support smooth movement, coordination, self-care)
Sensory Integration in the Context of Autism
In the context of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), sensory integration challenges often show up as:
- Strong aversion to certain textures of clothing, food, surfaces
- Avoiding or seeking movement (e.g., spinning, rocking, crashing)
- Difficulty with balance, coordination, motor planning (jumping, skipping, catching)
- Over- or under-responsiveness to sounds, lights, smells
- Struggles with transitions (movement from one activity to another)
- Trouble with body awareness (knowing where their limbs are, how to navigate space)
Because sensory processing underpins how we engage with the world, children who struggle here may also struggle with higher-level skills — socialising, learning, communicating, behaving flexibly. Addressing sensory integration isn’t a standalone “fix” for autism (there is none) but it is foundational — it’s about organising the “body-brain system” so that higher skills have a smoother platform to build on.
How IIAHP Approaches Sensory Integration within Autism Treatment in Chandigarh
IIAHP offers what it describes as advanced, holistic therapies for children with autism (and related neurodevelopmental conditions) based in Chandigarh. They place sensory integration as one of the key pillars in their approach to helping children adjust to their environment. Here’s how they do it.
Multi-disciplinary & holistic framework
According to IIAHP’s website:
Children with autism may experience heightened or reduced sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Our sensory integration therapy helps children process and respond to sensory information in a more balanced way, improving their ability to engage with the world around them. They also emphasise a multidisciplinary approach, integrating sensory therapies with speech, motor, behaviour, and vision therapies.
Specific sensory-integration related therapies offered
Some of the therapies they list include:
Reflex Integration Therapy: Integrating primitive reflexes supports neurological organisation and hence better sensory regulation.
Art & Sensory Integration: A “fun-filled sensory integration activity” where children engage in art plus sensory-rich materials to stimulate their sensory systems.
Tactile Therapy / Neuro-Tactile Integration: Addressing tactile (touch) system sensitivities and helping children regulate their responses.
Floor Program for Vestibular & Proprioceptive System: This focuses on movement, balance, and spatial awareness (vestibular/proprioceptive systems), which are foundational for coordination and sensory regulation.
Balance Board Exercises: Improving balance, reflexes, sequencing & motor coordination — all tied to sensory-motor integration.
Listening Therapy / Auditory Integration (AIT): For auditory-sensory processing challenges (sound sensitivity, auditory over-/under-responsivity), which are common in autism.
Why this approach helps children adjust
By strengthening sensory systems and improving the body-brain interface, children are better able to:
- integrate movement and body awareness → better coordination, smoother transitions
- tolerate and regulate sensory input → less distractibility, emotional dysregulation, avoidance
- engage more readily in social environments → if their sensory system is less overloaded or disorganised
- build foundational skills that support communication, learning and behaviour
In short, the sensory integration work reduces the “load” on the child’s system, enabling other skills to flourish
Practical Tips for Parents & Caregivers
If you’re a parent of a child on the autism spectrum and you’re exploring sensory integration as part of therapy, here are some actionable ideas — many of which are supported by the kinds of therapies at IIAHP:
Observe and document your child’s sensory patterns
- What triggers a meltdown? What seems to soothe?
- Are there textures, noises, lighting, or movement types that overwhelm or that your child seeks?
- Does your child avoid movement or seek it heavily? Do they have trouble with balance, coordination, or transitions?
Build “just-right” sensory experiences
- For vestibular/proprioceptive input: crawling through a tunnel, obstacle courses, swinging, balance board, jumping on a mini-trampoline.
- For tactile: sand-and-water play, fingerprinting, varied textures on a tray, safe “messy play.”
- For auditory: listening to structured sound/music programs (as in AIT), gradually increasing challenges in sounds.
- For visual-spatial: movement games, ball games, target practice, prism work (if recommended by a specialist).
Integrate sensory play into everyday routine
- Before transitions (e.g., before school, before mealtime), use a movement or proprioceptive break to “reset.”
- Use sensory-rich play as a reward or regulation tool.
- Consider dedicated periods for “sensory breaks” throughout the day to prevent overload.
Work with professionals and home program
- If your child is attending a centre like IIAHP for Autism Treatment in Chandigarh, talk to the therapist about how to carry sensory integration into the home.
- Ask about home-based activities, checklists, what you can safely do at home, and how to track progress. IIAHP handles home plans, too.
- Ensure the therapist evaluates vestibular/proprioceptive, tactile, auditory, and visual domains — not just speech or behaviour in isolation.
Be patient & consistent
- Progress in sensory integration can sometimes be slower, or subtle — improved transitions, fewer meltdowns, better movement coordination rather than immediate “big” changes.
- Regularity of experiences matters more than occasional “big efforts.”
- Encourage your child through meaningful sensory-rich play rather than forcing “drills.”
Why Choose IIAHP for Autism Treatment in Chandigarh / Get Therapies
If you are searching specifically for “Autism Treatment in Chandigarh” and want a comprehensive provider that includes sensory integration as a core component, IIAHP stands out. Here’s why:
- They are located in Chandigarh (Sector 35C) and serve children in Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, and beyond.
- Their website emphasises “Autism Treatment” as a major service, for children age group ~2 to 17 years.
- They list “Art & Sensory Integration”, “Tactile Therapy”, “Floor Program for Vestibular & Proprioceptive System”, “Balance Board”, “Listening Therapy (AIT)”, etc as part of their therapy menu.
- They provide home-treatment plans which can be critical if you cannot attend daily in-centre sessions.
- Their approach emphasises individualised programs tailored to each child’s sensory and neurological profile.
If you visit or contact them (via https://www.iiahp.com/therapies/ ) you can ask specifically for sensory integration-based therapies and how they will integrate that with the child’s overall development plan.
Final Thoughts
Sensory integration sits at the heart of how children with autism engage with their world. When sensory processing is disorganised, the world can feel overwhelming, confusing or “off” — leading to avoidance, meltdowns, withdrawal or repetitive behaviours. By supporting children to organise their sensory systems, we give them the foundation for everything that follows: movement, play, socialising, communication, learning.
The team at IIAHP in Chandigarh offers a comprehensive set of therapies that directly target sensory integration — from tactile and vestibular to auditory and proprioceptive — within a broader autism-treatment framework. If you’re seeking Autism Treatment in Chandigarh and want to Get Therapies that include sensory integration in a meaningful way, IIAHP is a strong option to explore.
