Sensory Integration Disorders as a Risk Factor for Speech Disorders – Analysis of the Literature on the Subject
Abstract
The aim of this article is to critically examine empirical evidence on the relationship between sensory processing disorders and speech and language development in children, and to assess whether sensory integration (SI) impairments may function as risk factors for speech disorders. The review includes classical theoretical frameworks (Ayres, 1972, 1979), correlational and intervention studies, systematic reviews, and recent empirical research involving children with various neurodevelopmental diagnoses. The available evidence suggests a relatively consistent association between sensory processing deficits and an increased risk of communication difficulties, which may precede or cooccur with speech disorders. However, a direct causal relationship has not been conclusively established, and the methodological quality of the evidence remains heterogeneous.
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