Research Paper

Introduction

To answer the question about why the Wilbarger protocol is an important part of the sensory diet you first need to understand what is a sensory diet and how does it impact the individual with a sensory modulation dysfunction.“The Wilbarger Protocol was developed by Patricia Wilbarger the name was later changed to The Wilbarger Deep Pressure, and Proprioceptive Technique  abbreviated as DPPT.

Thesis Statement

Wilbarger Protocol-important part of Sensory diet for a child with Sensory modulation dysfunction

Discussion

Sensory Diet

A sensory diet is a way to introducing different types of sensory stimuli to a child with sensory dysfunction. The “diet” is a personalize plan consisting of different activities geared at stimulating the child, thus helps to increases the child's ability to be tolerant of different stimuli which might have been previously been debilitating. A sensory diet was designed to help a child cope with sensory processing disorders. The benefits of sensory stimulation can help to increase the child's attention span, almost instantaneously with long lasting effects.  Children can be classified as sensory seeking or sensory avoiding.  A child with sensory seeking behaviors usually caves stimulation, while sensory avoiders tend to be non- tolerant of stimuli. Sensory input can also help a child regulate and better handle changes to their routines and stress. For a sensory diet to be effective it must provide just the right amount of stimulation. It should consist of stimuli that include all five senses, along with proprioception and vestibular sense. Polatajko & Cantin (2010) suggests, ”Impairment-oriented interventions aim specifically to reduce impairment and restore function (here, sensory integration and sensory processing). The intension is that the remediation of the impairment(s) will lead to an increase in activity performance and participation.” (p. 417). For the interventions to be most effective it should be geared towards the child's lifestyle.

Sensory Modulation

Sensory modulation is the brain ability to process and respond appropriately to sensory input from the environment while maintaining the appropriate level of arousal. For an individual with a sensory processing dysfunction,  the over stimulating sensory environment can become overwhelming and distracting.

Wilbarger Protocol

The Wilbarger Protocol is a type of therapy administrated by Occupational Therapist that is geared towards reducing sensory or tactile defensiveness in children. The protocol uses deep touch pressure message administrated by using a soft plastic surgical brush called a therapressure brush.

It's recommended that the message is initially administrated by a service competent Occupational Therapist who will then train the child's parents or caregiver. The brushing massage technique is applied to the child's upper and lower extremities as well as the back area while avoiding the face and stomach.  It's recommended, the brushing be administered every 90-120minutes to reach its maximum effectiveness while the child is awake. During the early stages of treatment, the child should be reassessing every two weeks.  Applying deep massage to these areas helps to stimulate nerve endings which help the child to tolerate tactile touch.

There is much debate over this intervention among those in the medical field on whether or not this treatment is effectiveness helping ...