Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and Sensory-Integration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior

Devlin, Sarah; Healy, Olive; Leader, Geraldine; Hughes, Brian M.

doi:10.1007/s10803-010-1149-x

Cited by 94 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Sensory interventions are often used with children with autism, and so some of the meta-analyses refer only to studies devoted to measuring the effectiveness of this treatment only in this group of children (Devlin, Healy, Leader, & Hughes, 2011;Schaaf et al, 2014;Sniezyk & Zane, 2015). The conclusions of these meta-analyses mention the problems with the selection of studies to meta-analyse, as many studies are not sufficiently scientifically rigorous.…”

Section: Effectiveness Of Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory processing disorders – diagnostic and therapeutic controversies

Borkowska¹

2017

Current Issues in Personality Psychology

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This article presents the current state of knowledge regarding the controversial issue of sensory integration dysfunction/sensory processing disorder. Symptoms are defined as impairments in the accurate reception and registering of stimuli, differentiation of stimulus intensity, and adequate reactivity to stimulation. They can be of specific character and occur in isolation and can also be a nonspecific element of a clinical picture of another disease entity. Psychophysiological and neuroimaging studies confirm the existence of both a distinct group of children with symptoms of sensory processing disorder diagnosed based on descriptions of behaviours listed in questionnaires and of a specific neurobiological basis of this disorder. In clinical practice, it is of key importance to determine whether behavioural problems observed in children are caused by disorders other than sensory processing disorders. Results of meta-analyses regarding sensory integration therapy are inconclusive and do not allow this form of treatment to be considered factbased. Future studies with high methodological standards are necessary in order to verify the effectiveness of different forms of sensory integration therapy. Parents should be informed about the existing limitations.

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Section: Effectiveness Of Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory processing disorders – diagnostic and therapeutic controversies

Borkowska¹

2017

Current Issues in Personality Psychology

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“…Devlin et al 34 reported on the comparative effects of sensory integration therapy and behavioral interventions on rates of challenging or self-injurious behavior in 4 children in whom autism spectrum disorder was diagnosed. A functional assessment was conducted to identify the variables maintaining the challenging behaviors.…”

Section: Statement Of the Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory Integration Therapies for Children With Developmental and Behavioral Disorders

Complementary¹

2012

Pediatrics

170

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Sensory-based therapies are increasingly used by occupational therapists and sometimes by other types of therapists in treatment of children with developmental and behavioral disorders. Sensory-based therapies involve activities that are believed to organize the sensory system by providing vestibular, proprioceptive, auditory, and tactile inputs. Brushes, swings, balls, and other specially designed therapeutic or recreational equipment are used to provide these inputs. However, it is unclear whether children who present with sensory-based problems have an actual “disorder” of the sensory pathways of the brain or whether these deficits are characteristics associated with other developmental and behavioral disorders. Because there is no universally accepted framework for diagnosis, sensory processing disorder generally should not be diagnosed. Other developmental and behavioral disorders must always be considered, and a thorough evaluation should be completed. Difficulty tolerating or processing sensory information is a characteristic that may be seen in many developmental behavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, developmental coordination disorders, and childhood anxiety disorders. Occupational therapy with the use of sensory-based therapies may be acceptable as one of the components of a comprehensive treatment plan. However, parents should be informed that the amount of research regarding the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy is limited and inconclusive. Important roles for pediatricians and other clinicians may include discussing these limitations with parents, talking with families about a trial period of sensory integration therapy, and teaching families how to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapy.

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“…We provide a reply to a letter to the editors in relation to ''Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and SensoryIntegration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior'' (Devlin et al 2010). …”

Section: Dear Editorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…

We conducted a study using a robust design (''alternating treatments design''; Barlow and Hayes 1979) to provide an analysis, without prejudice, comparing the outcomes of two distinct interventions for challenging behavior in children with autism diagnoses.

…”

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confidence: 99%

Response to a Letter to the Editors re: “Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and Sensory-Integration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior”

Healy

Hughes

Leader

et al. 2011

J Autism Dev Disord

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Dear Editors,We provide a reply to a letter to the editors in relation to ''Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and SensoryIntegration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior'' (Devlin et al. 2010).We conducted a study using a robust design (''alternating treatments design''; Barlow and Hayes 1979) to provide an analysis, without prejudice, comparing the outcomes of two distinct interventions for challenging behavior in children with autism diagnoses. Crucially, this design allows separate interventions to be administered concurrently, by randomizing the order of intervention, giving opportunity for both interventions to be administered under the different stimulus conditions, for an equal number of times, across each of the conditions of administration (see Kazdin 1982). This design allowed for a thorough scientific analysis of two prevalent interventions, both aiming to alter rates of challenging behavior observed in children with autism diagnoses.The letter expresses concern in relation to three specific areas. Firstly, it declares that we have misrepresented sensory integration therapy in the approach that was used in our study. Our colleagues state that the approach used was not at all in keeping with the principles and practices of sensory integration. However, from the description of the design of interventions in our paper it is clear that we, the authors, had no role in the design of the sensory integration intervention for any of the four participants. All sensory integration interventions were designed by an occupational therapist with extensive expertise and experience in SIT, who had completed comprehensive direct observations of each participant over a period of one month. The kernel of this research program was to assess two types of interventions that are provided in ''real world'' school settings on outcomes for challenging behaviors. The sensory integration assessment and interventions were provided by an expert in this field and the functional behavior assessment and interventions were designed and facilitated by behavior analysts. Effectively, what is presented in this study under the intervention of sensory integration is a reflection of practice ''on the ground'' by an expert in sensory integration assessment and therapy. It was our aim to assess the outcomes of such an intervention to alter the rates of challenging behavior, not to design the sensory integration protocol. We therefore, did not misrepresent the practices of sensory integration in anyway but merely assessed the outcomes of an intervention that was recommended for the four participants included in the study.Our colleagues set forth that there was a failure to provide systematic and standardized assessment of the participants' sensory processing challenges. However, during the one month observation periods, prior to the design of sensory integration programs for participants, the occupational therapist did provide detailed assessments including direct and indirect assessments of each participant's sensory profile. Th...

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Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and Sensory-Integration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior

Cited by 94 publications

References 45 publications

Sensory processing disorders – diagnostic and therapeutic controversies

Sensory processing disorders – diagnostic and therapeutic controversies

Sensory Integration Therapies for Children With Developmental and Behavioral Disorders

Response to a Letter to the Editors re: “Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and Sensory-Integration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior”

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