An Intervention for Sensory Difficulties in Children with Autism: A Randomized Trial

Abstract

This study evaluated a manualized intervention for sensory difficulties for children with autism, ages 4–8 years, using a randomized trial design. Diagnosis of autism was confirmed using gold standard measures. Results show that the children in the treatment group (n = 17) who received 30 sessions of the occupational therapy intervention scored significantly higher (p = 0.003, d = 1.2) on Goal Attainment Scales (primary outcome), and also scored significantly better on measures of caregiver assistance in self-care (p = 0.008 d = 0.9) and socialization (p = 0.04, d = 0.7) than the Usual Care control group (n = 15). The study shows high rigor in its measurement of treatment fidelity and use of a manualized protocol, and provides support for the use of this intervention for children with autism. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for practice and future research.

Feasibility of a Research Protocol to Investigate the Effect of the TherapressureTM Program Using Salivary Cortisol

“…By contrast, hypocortisolism has also been identified in groups that are exposed to chronic stress, including children raised in Romanian orphanages (Gunnar & Vazquez, 2001) and other chronically stressful environments, such as being an ethnic minority (DeSantis et al, 2007). Based on the findings of this study, we hypothesize that children with SOR are constantly activating their stress response system, and given the information above, we raise awareness for the need to check for both hyper- Sensory Profile was not validated as an outcome measure (Schaaf et al, 2014) or subjected to testretest reliability examination in the user manual (Ohl et al, 2012). While there has been preliminary evidence of test-retest reliability in some subscores of the Sensory Profile (Ohl et al, 2012), further larger scale testing is required before it could be recommended as a reliable outcome measure (Schaaf et al, 2014).…”

“…Based on the findings of this study, we hypothesize that children with SOR are constantly activating their stress response system, and given the information above, we raise awareness for the need to check for both hyper- Sensory Profile was not validated as an outcome measure (Schaaf et al, 2014) or subjected to testretest reliability examination in the user manual (Ohl et al, 2012). While there has been preliminary evidence of test-retest reliability in some subscores of the Sensory Profile (Ohl et al, 2012), further larger scale testing is required before it could be recommended as a reliable outcome measure (Schaaf et al, 2014). At the time this study was designed and conducted, there Moreover, it may not be sensitive enough to detect meaningful changes at such a short interval period (4-week frequency), where the other studies used 8 to 10 weeks frequency between pre-and posttesting.…”

“…This may be due to reporter bias at a short frequency because the Sensory Profile is a subjective caregiver report (e.g., parent familiarity with the rating scale, heightened awareness of the child's sensory behaviors from completing it the first time, or parents wish that they had scored differently the first time). More recent intervention studies have administered the Sensory Profile as part of a comprehensive evaluation and inclusion criteria for sensory processing disorder, but have avoided using it to measure outcomes until validated (Schaaf et al, 2014;Schaaf, Hunt, & Benevides, 2012).…”

The methodology and efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy, occupational therapy, and speech/language therapy: A critical review

“…In SI, patients are exposed to particular sensory stimuli and are taught to become adaptable to these environmental stimuli, while they are required to perform tasks 21 . Preliminary research has, in fact, shown that SI techniques, particularly those that follow Ayres Sensory Integration ® Fidelity Measure 22 , can have a more influential effect on improving sensory processing and regulation, sensorimotor skills and social-emotional function than fine motor therapy or group therapy 23 , and such strategies have been shown to be not only effective, but also safe and practical 24 , In fact, one of the first randomised controlled trials that examined the effects of SI showed a significant increase in the goal attainment scale (an individualised measure for progress), as well as a significant improvement in self-maintenance and social behaviour in subjects who received the OT intervention compared with those who did not 25 .OT can introduce tasks that teach proper sensorimotor performance. Imagine, for example, in order to teach an individual with ASD how to multitask, a therapist might have the child hang from a swing, trapeze or rope ladder 26 and have the child simultaneously attempt to complete a jigsaw puzzle-an exercise that would be intended to improve one's tolerance for a sensory overload.…”

Influence of Sitting Orientation on Upper Extremity Function in Normal Children Between 5 to 16 Years Using Nine Hole Peg Test

“…All movements require constant change of posture and adjustment in the centre of gravity.4The reciprocal relations between posture and fine manual dexterity is evident in descriptions regarding the developmental sequence of acquiring movement control [6][7][8].…”