A Field Guide to Sensory Motor Integration The Foundation for Learning

As a response to questions and requests from parents, teachers, and therapists of individuals who are challenged by sensory motor integration difficulties, this field guide was written.
Some frequent questions were; Why cant' my child sit still? Why can't they remember what they just read although they read many books? Why do they move their head when they read? Why do they put their head down on the desk? Why do they dislike certain noises?
This guide is for clinicians and medical professionals ,laypersons and educators. It identifies areas that offer information and insight into connective links between sensory motor development and sensory motor anomalies with explanations of the connective links to the foundations of development.
The BLUEPRINT for the human body in both its creation and development will always be the same.
With guidance for identifying causes ,not symptoms , there can be better use of precious time and resources. This can lead to less frustration and confusion for individuals and family members.
For the therapist and medical professional: Despite giving your best efforts, you may be frustrated by only seeing limited or slow gains. This provides the tools to identify problems in a new way and further your own knowledge and skill. Through this guide, you may gain a new perspective to the underlying, foundational issues rather than the presenting behavior. It is designed to offer therapists a concise compilation of information that pulls the vestibular system functioning, reflex integration, and visual processing information together.
For the educator, diagnostician, school psychologist and any other related educational professionals: This was written to raise awareness of many problems students have that impede learning. You may have questioned why one seemingly bright student is failing and why previous attempts for learning have fallen short. This guide will help you better identify the underlying problem and seek the proper help.
For the parents and families: You may be struggling with where to go for help. It's not a recipe or guide for families to deliver therapy, but rather a guide to raise awareness of difficulties from a different perspective. If you see your child described in this guide, you will be better equipped to know which questions to ask and where to begin to seek help.

Patricia graduated from Southwestern University Medical School's Allied Health Division in Dallas, Texas with a BS in Physical Therapy in 1983. She has been certified in Neuro Developmental, Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing, and Sensory Integrative Treatment. Patricia has delivered physical therapy in the areas of adult neurological rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, pediatric physical therapy, long-term care facilities and acute care facilities, as well as home health physical therapy. She has served as director of physical therapy in a hospital based adult neurological rehabilitation unit and in many school districts. In her private therapy clinic, her clinic provided physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services for twenty-three years. She has been a frequent speaker, educating and advocating early childhood screening for sensory motor anomalies and intervention for sensory motor difficulties. In 1998, she presented a paper in England on the vestibulocochlear system's impact on learning and nervous system organization at the 10th European Conference on Learning Disabilities. She made subsequent travels there to further provide training to European delegations. Contributing Author Beverly Butler Hall, MEd, CCC, S-LP
Beverly brings a wealth of expertise and experience being in the private practice of speech language pathology that she founded in 1984.
She holds a master's degree (1983) and the national certificate of clinical competence (CCC) (1984). She has acquired advanced postgraduate training in her specialty areas and enjoys serving special populations of children and adults with auditory processing issues found in those with learning disabilities, dyslexia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attention-deficit disorder (ADD), developmental delays, pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She has authored a popular articulation remediation program workbook, HARTS (1988). She has presented at workshops for all of the Texas regional educational service centers. She has also served as visiting professor in language learning disabilities at Stephen F. Austin University SFA and has provided supervision for clinical practicums for graduate students across the region. Beverly has presented papers across Texas and other parts of USA as well as abroad. Beverly has also presented at the European International Conference on Learning Disabilities. She was named as the outstanding young alumnus of Stephen F. Austin University. She has an interest in the medical model of neurological rehabilitation for the treatment of those with speech/language disorders, auditory processing dysfunction, and sensory integration issues.
Beverly is active in her regional state and national associations, serving as president of the local association. Her hobbies include spending time with her family and friends in her home. She loves traveling, reading, local missions ministry, leading Bible studies and women's retreats, and serving on the board of charitable multigenerational ministries for women and their children.
She takes delight in her many roles as a daughter, sister, mother, wife, therapist, consultant, grandmother, and friend. She has a special place in her heart for those she has been blessed to serve. Her home is in Texas where she and her husband Kelly are the parents of three grown daughters and three dear sons-in-law. They have been blessed with seven precious grandchildren.