Fact or Fiction: Do Sensory Integration Approaches improve participation in children with ASD?


Autism written on the wipe board

What is Autism?

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. (Autism Speaks, 2018)

What is Sensory Integration?
organizing, and interpreting sensations to optimize occupational
performance and participation (AOTA,2015)
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Senses:
1.Vestibular-providing us with information about the position of our heads and bodies in space- spatial awareness
2.Proproceptive- Provides a sense of what our bodies are doing and where our body parts are in relation to the environment.
3.Tectile- Touch
4.Auditory- Sound
5.Visual- Sight
6.Gustatory- Taste
7.Olfactory- Smell

How do I know if my child with ASD has difficulty processing his/her sensory input? See the link below !

Sensory-Processing-Disorder-Checklist

The media clip below was based out of a school in Hanover Elementary School. The school had made a clip explaining the benefits of using the sensory room to help children diagnosed with ASD focus and learn. Take a look !

According the the article Sensory-Based Approaches in Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Influences on Occupational Therapists’ Recommendations and Perceived Benefits, Occupational Therapist used an online survey addressing their work experience, training, use of sensory-based approaches, and beliefs and perceptions about the effects of the approaches. The results showed that Most respondents (98%) used sensory-based approaches for children with ASD and would recommend the approaches for 57% of the children they treat.

This clip is an information video from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The video explains providing structured sensory experiences help organize a child’s body to increase learning. Take a look!

According to the article: Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration, the results showed positive outcomes for improving individually generated goals of functioning and participation as measured by goal attainment scaling for children with autism.

The media clip below comes from the Medical Minute. This news clip talked about a child diagnosed with ASD using sensory integration therapy during Occupational Therapy to improve independence. The OT explained the child’s difficulty with processing sensory information. The OT explains strategies provided in the treatments. Mom reports since participating in these treatments, her child is functioning much better in his environment. Take a look !

According the the article: A Retrospective Pre-Post Treatment Study of Occupational therapy Intervention for Children with Sensory Processing Challenges, the results showed Improvements in adaptive behavior, problem behaviors, sensory-related functions, and measures of motor function.

References
Schaaf, R. C., Dumont, R. L., Arbesman, M., & May-Benson, T. A. (2018). Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(1), 1–10. https://library.neit.edu:2404/10.5014/ajot.2018.028431

Schoen, S. A., & Miller, L. J. (2018). A Retrospective Pre-Post Treatment Study of Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children with Sensory Processing Challenges. Open Journal of Occupational
Therapy(OJOT), 6(1), 1–14. https://library.neit.edu:2404/10.15453/2168-6408.1367

Thompson-Hodgetts, S., & Magill-Evans, J. (2018). Sensory-Based Approaches in Intervention for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Influences on Occupational Therapists’ Recommendations and Perceived Benefits. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(3), 1–8. https://library.neit.edu:2404/10.5014/ajot.2018.024729

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago . (2015, 6 9). Sensory Processing Disorder: Occupational Therapy Demonstration . Retrieved from Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUdsgQGHSR8&t=36s

Edutopia. (2017, 4 2). The Sensory Room: Helping Students With Autism Focus & Learn. Retrieved from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9j6rQ4rtQY&t=39s

Minute, M. (2017, 9 14). Sensory integration therapy helping children with autism. Retrieved from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8rBHeubDNs&t=28s

Phd, T. B. (n.d.). Sensory Processing Disorder Checklist: Signs And Symptoms Of Dysfunction. Retrieved from http://www.tbaileyphd.com/resources/Sensory-Processing-Disorder-Checklist.pdf

AOTA . (2015). Addressing Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing Disorders Across the Lifespan: The Role of Occupational Therapy. Retrieved from AOTA : https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/FactSheet_SensoryIntegration.ashx