is how the brain channels organize stimuli coming in from the
outside world for a functional outcome.
A functional outcome can be seen
- in how the child responds to environmental demands effectively
- in how the child perceives the world and himself;
- in how well the child builds upon experience and training
There are seven channels that process stimuli, they are:
- vision channel
- hearing channel
- vestibular channel
- proprioceptive channel
- tactile channel
- taste channel
- olfactory channel
According to Carl Delacato, EdD in his book, “The Ultimate Stranger,
The Autistic Child,” when one or more of the channels are
malfunctioning, stimulation to the brain may be delivered too much,
too little, or in a distorted manner.
When there is too much, the child may be hyper.
When there is too little, the child may be hypo.
When there is distortion, the child perceives GARBLED stimulus,
similar to T.V. white noise.
When a child exhibits repetitive, withdrawal or disruptive behavior
such as head banging, arm flapping, rocking, tuning out from the
world, and or humming, they are in SURVIVAL MODE.
It is an attempt to regulate or modulate the stimulus perceived from
the environment, the child may exhibit:
-head banging,
to satisfy the need for more vestibular stimuli
-tuning out the world,
to block out excessive noise or auditory stimuli
-humming,
to mask overwhelming white noise from their own internal system
It is also this attempt that “steals the child’s attention from reality.”
It is also this exercise that enables them to survive in a world whose
Brain Channels perceive stimuli differently from theirs.
Behavior is the child’s message to the outside world which brain
channels are affected.
Through Brain Channel™ Assessment, we learn which channels
need intervention, and we can help train the child and the caregiver to
normalize these channels.
Practical applications are provided to the caregiver for use in the
home, school and community to ensure continuity of the sensory
integration-brain channel program.
