What does the term 'sensory integration' refer to?

The term 'sensory integration' specifically refers to the combination of sensory information from different modalities, which is crucial for creating a comprehensive understanding of our environment. This process allows the brain to process and interpret information received from various senses, such as sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, into a cohesive perception.

For instance, when you hear a friend calling your name while seeing them wave at you, sensory integration helps combine the auditory information (hearing the voice) with the visual information (seeing the gesture). This integration is essential for appropriate responses and interactions within our environment, facilitating actions like moving toward the friend or engaging in conversation.

The other concepts, while related to sensory processing, do not accurately define sensory integration. Focusing on one sensory modality relates more to selective attention; filtering out sensory overload pertains more to attention mechanisms and how we manage excessive stimuli rather than integrating them; and enhancement of sensory perception over time relates to adaptive changes in sensitivity or perception, which does not encompass the integrative aspect of combining information from multiple senses.