The principle of sense training, as developed by SENSe Therapy, is based on seven key principles that guide the training process. These principles are: select; attentive exploration; feedback; calibrate; anticipate; repeat and progress; and transfer. Each principle plays a crucial role in helping individuals enhance their sensory perception and develop a deeper understanding of their own sensory experiences.
The first principle, select, involves carefully choosing the specific sensory stimuli that will be used during the training. This could include selecting particular textures, sounds, or visual stimuli that are relevant to the individual’s goals or areas of difficulty. By selecting the appropriate stimuli, the training can be tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences, making it more effective and engaging.
The second principle, attentive exploration, emphasizes the importance of actively and fully engaging with the selected stimuli. This involves using all of the senses to explore and examine the stimuli in a focused and mindful manner. By paying close attention to the sensory details, individuals can develop a more thorough understanding of their sensory experiences and how they are influenced by different stimuli.
The third principle, feedback, involves providing individuals with accurate and timely feedback about their sensory responses. This feedback can come from a therapist or through the use of technology or sensory tools. By receiving feedback, individuals can gain insight into how their sensory systems are functioning and make adjustments as needed.
The fourth principle, calibrate, focuses on helping individuals develop a more accurate perception of sensory stimuli. This may involve adjusting the intensity or duration of the stimuli to ensure that individuals are able to process and respond to them effectively. Calibration helps individuals fine-tune their sensory systems and improve their overall sensory processing abilities.
The fifth principle, anticipate, involves preparing individuals for upcoming sensory experiences or challenges. This may include providing information or strategies to help individuals cope with sensory overload or to enhance their performance in sensory-rich environments. By anticipating and preparing for sensory situations, individuals can feel more confident and in control of their sensory experiences.
The sixth principle, repeat and progress, emphasizes the importance of consistent practice and gradual progression in sensory training. Regular repetition of sensory exercises helps to reinforce neural connections and improve sensory processing skills over time. As individuals become more proficient, they can gradually increase the complexity or difficulty of the sensory tasks to further challenge and enhance their sensory abilities.
The final principle, transfer, focuses on applying the skills and knowledge gained through sensory training to real-life situations. The ultimate goal of sense training is to enable individuals to transfer their improved sensory perception and processing abilities to everyday activities and environments. This principle emphasizes the importance of generalization and integration of sensory skills into daily life.
In my own personal experience with sense training, I have found these principles to be incredibly valuable. By carefully selecting and exploring sensory stimuli, I have been able to gain a deeper understanding of my own sensory experiences and how they impact my daily life. The feedback I have received from therapists and sensory tools has been instrumental in helping me refine my sensory processing abilities. Through consistent practice and progression, I have seen significant improvements in my sensory perception and overall well-being. Most importantly, I have been able to transfer these skills to various real-life situations, enabling me to navigate sensory-rich environments with greater ease and confidence.
The principles of sense training provide a comprehensive framework for enhancing sensory perception and processing. By incorporating these principles into therapy or personal sensory training, individuals can develop a greater awareness of their sensory experiences and improve their ability to navigate the sensory world.