The Integrated Development of Sensory Organization

Abstract

Synopsis The natural environment provides a flux of concurrent stimulation to all our senses, and the integration of information from different sensory systems is a fundamental feature of perception and cognition. How information from the different senses is integrated has long been of concern to several scientific disciplines, including psychology, cognitive science, and the neurosciences, each with different questions and methodologies. In recent years, a growing body of evidence drawn from these various disciplines suggests that the development of early sensory organization is much more plastic and experience-dependent than was previously realized. In this article, I briefly explore some of these recent advances in our understanding of the development of sensory integration and organization and discuss implications of these advances for the care and management of the preterm infant.

Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities

“…Most pediatric studies of sensory processes focus on auditory and visual domains, mainly because these stimuli are easiest to develop, standardize, and test. However, tactile processing is of particular interest in infants and children as it is the first sense to develop in the fetus 4,5 , and somatosensory information is integral to the function of other cortical systems (e.g. motor, memory, associative learning, limbic) 6 .…”

Effects of Altered Prenatal Sensory Stimulation on Postnatal Contingency Learning in Bobwhite Quail Neonates (Colinus Virginianus)

“…However, these positions of sensory deprivation or sensory augmentation are not well supported by either developmental theory or available empirical research (Lickliter, 2000(Lickliter, , 2011.…”

“…In the uterine environment, a fetus receives a variety of tactile, vestibular, chemical, and auditory sensory stimulation. For example, as the mother walks, the sounds of her footsteps correspond with the changes in pressure and tactile feedback experienced by the fetus (Lickliter, 2011). Moreover a fetus exposed to specific speech sounds becomes familiar with the recurrent maternal speech sounds, which has been demonstrated by decreased fetal heart rate to familiar speech (DeCasper, Lecanuet, Granier-Deferre, & Maugeais, 1994), as well as newborns' non-nutritive sucking, (DeCasper & Fifer, 1980), and orientation responses towards the sound source (Clifton, Morrongiello, Kulig, & Dowd, 1981).…”

“…Similarly the mother's breathing, her heart-beat, the borborygmi from digestion, and her vocalizations provide auditory stimulation that correspond with tactile stimulation of varying intensities along with specific temporal patterns (Lickliter, 2011).…”

“…Animal based research has proven particularly useful in carrying out experiments in which the timing, amount, and type of sensory experience available during early development is modified or manipulated. In particular, research with animal subjects has helped to extend our understanding of sensory organization and perceptual development during the prenatal period (Lickliter, 2011).…”