Sensory Integration Therapy in Phnom Penh: A Core Component of Occupational Therapy

Does your child cover their ears in noisy places, melt down at the touch of certain fabrics, or seek out constant movement? These may be signs of sensory processing difficulties—a common issue among children with autism, ADHD, or developmental delays. In Phnom Penh, parents are increasingly turning to sensory integration therapy, a specialized form of occupational therapy offered at OrbRom Center, to help their children regulate their sensory systems and engage more confidently with the world.

At OrbRom, sensory integration isn’t just an add-on—it’s a foundational part of how we help children thrive.

What Is Sensory Integration?
Sensory integration is the brain’s ability to take in information from the senses (sight, touch, hearing, smell, taste, balance, and movement) and make an appropriate response. When this process is disrupted, a child may:

• Overreact to sensory input (hypersensitivity)

• Underreact and seek out intense input (hyposensitivity)

• Struggle with coordination, focus, or emotional regulation

This can affect everything from school performance and social interaction to self-care tasks like dressing and eating.

Signs Your Child May Need Sensory Integration Therapy
Sensory challenges often show up in subtle ways. Your child might:

• Avoid textures (clothes, foods, sand, messy play)

• Cover ears in everyday situations

• Crash into furniture, jump excessively, or spin constantly

• Struggle with balance, posture, or hand coordination

• Have frequent meltdowns in overstimulating environments

• Appear inattentive, anxious, or “in their own world”

If these patterns sound familiar, an Assessment at OrbRom Center can help determine whether sensory integration therapy is appropriate.

How Sensory Integration Is Used in Occupational Therapy
At OrbRom Center in Phnom Penh, our occupational therapists design sessions that challenge and develop the child’s sensory processing in a safe, controlled way. Through structured play and movement-based activities, we help the nervous system learn to organize and respond to sensory input more effectively.

Therapy may include:

• Swinging or spinning for balance (vestibular input)

• Deep pressure activities like squishing or weighted blankets (proprioception)

• Texture exploration (e.g., sand, slime, foam)

• Obstacle courses for motor planning and body awareness

• Calming strategies like breathing exercises or slow rocking

The goal is not to “fix” the child—but to help them regulate their body and mind so they can learn, focus, and engage more successfully in daily life.

Essential Sensory Tools for Home and School
In addition to therapy, we recommend parents use supportive tools to extend the benefits of sensory integration into everyday routines. OrbRom’s top sensory tools include:

• Sensory Rocking Chair: Helps calm and ground children before or after school

• Weighted Sensory Blanket: Provides deep pressure input for sleep or rest time

• Noise Cancelling Headphones: Useful for sound-sensitive children in noisy environments

• Sleep Sound Machine: Creates a soothing atmosphere for better sleep and relaxation

All are available in our Sensory Shop and can be integrated into home and school environments to support consistency and calm.

Parent Coaching and School Collaboration
Sensory needs don’t stop when therapy ends. At OrbRom Center, we guide families and teachers to:

• Build sensory routines before transitions (e.g., before school or meals)

• Use sensory breaks to prevent overload in classrooms

• Adapt the environment (lighting, noise, furniture) to reduce triggers

• Identify calming strategies specific to the child’s needs

• Advocate for sensory accommodations in schools

This collaborative approach ensures that gains made in therapy carry over into real-world success.

Why Phnom Penh Families Trust OrbRom Center for Sensory Support
We’re one of the only centers in Phnom Penh offering comprehensive sensory integration therapy as part of our occupational therapy program. Families choose us because we provide:

• Certified occupational therapists with sensory integration expertise

• A fully equipped, child-safe sensory room

• Personalized plans based on the child’s sensory profile

• Bilingual services and parent involvement

• Integration with speech therapy and educational support when needed

We don’t see sensory challenges as problems—we see them as opportunities for connection, creativity, and growth.

Conclusion: Supporting the Senses, Empowering the Child
Sensory integration therapy helps children in Phnom Penh find calm in chaos, confidence in movement, and focus in learning. At OrbRom Center, we believe that every child deserves to feel safe and successful in their own body.

Whether your child is overwhelmed by the world or constantly seeking more of it, our team is here to help. Discover how occupational therapy with a sensory focus can change your child’s life—one swing, squeeze, or smile at a time.

Visit our Occupational Therapy Services page to learn more and book an assessment today.