Hyper-responsivity to Touch and Vestibular Stimuli as a Predictor of Positive Response to Sensory Integration Procedures by Autistic Children

Abstract

Sensory processing disturbance in autistic children as a predictor of response to sensory integrative procedures was investigated. Ten autistic children, ages 3-1/2 to 13 years (mean, 7.4 years), were initially evaluated in regard to their hypo-, hyper-, or normal responsivity to visual, auditory, tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive, olfactory, and gustatory stimuli. After evaluation, each child received therapy that provided somatosensory and vestibular stimulation and elicited adaptive responses to these stimuli. At the end of one year of therapy, each child's progress was judged in relationship to that of the others, and the group was divided into the six best and the four poorest respondents. Stepwise discriminant analysis identified which initial test variables predicted good or poor responses to therapy. The good respondents showed tactile defensiveness, avoidance of movement, gravitational insecurity, and an orienting response to an air puff. Results suggest that children who registered sensory input but failed to modulate it responded better to therapy than those who were hypo-responsive or failed to orient to sensory input.

Environmental Enrichment Reverses Behavioral Alterations in Rats Prenatally Exposed to Valproic Acid: Issues for a Therapeutic Approach in Autism

“…We previously presented evidence that administration of VPA on day 12.5 of gestation also has long-term effects on postnatal behaviors in male rats, which include lower sensitivity to pain and higher sensitivity to nonpainful stimuli; diminished acoustic prepulse inhibition; locomotor and repetitive, stereotypic-like hyperactivity combined with lower exploratory activity; decreased number of social behaviors; and increased latency to social behaviors (Schneider et al, 2001;Schneider and Przewlocki, 2005). Similar behavioral abnormalities have been observed in autistic persons (Militerni et al, 2000;Ayres and Tickle, 1980;Allen and Courchesne, 2001;McAlonan et al, 2002;De Moura-Serra, 1990;Pierce and Courchesne, 2001;American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Autistic patients also exhibit enhanced reaction to stress (Tordjman et al, 1997(Tordjman et al, , 1999aMaher et al, 1975;Jansen et al, 2003).…”

Environmental enrichment as an effective treatment for autism: A randomized controlled trial.

“…Sensory integration therapy is often used by occupational therapists to treat children with autism (Ayres & Tickle, 1980). The treatment typically involves vestibular, proprioceptive, auditory, and tactile inputs using brushes, swings, and balls, although other senses may be engaged at the discretion of the therapist.…”

Sensory Processing Disorder in a Primate Model: Evidence From a Longitudinal Study of Prenatal Alcohol and Prenatal Stress Effects

“…Ayres showed that tactile defensiveness or overresponsiveness to tactile stimuli was consistently related to hyperactive and distractible behavior in children (Ayres, 1965(Ayres, , 1966(Ayres, , 1969(Ayres, , 1972. Overresponsiveness to tactile stimuli is easily recognized in children (McIntosh, Miller, Shyu, & Dunn, 1999) and there has been some success in treating it with sensory-based interventions (Ayres & Tickle, 1980;Mailloux, 2001;Miller, Wilbarger, Stackhouse, & Trunnell, 2002;.…”

“…NIH-PA Author Manuscript NIH-PA Author Manuscript estimated to occur in 5% of the general population (Ahn, Miller, Milberger, & McIntosh, 2004) and seem to pose a unique challenge for people with developmental disabilities (Baranek, 2002), including autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), fragile X syndrome, and other developmental disabilities (Ayres & Tickle, 1980;Baranek, 1999;Baranek & Berkson, 1994;Baranek, Foster, & Berkson, 1997;Cermak & Daunhauer, 1997;Grandin, 1992;Kinnealey, 1973;Larson, 1982;Mangeot et al, 2001;Miller et al, 1999). Understanding the neurobiological processes associated with sensory processing disruptions is important to developing appropriate preventative and intervention approaches.…”

“…Ayres showed that tactile defensiveness or overresponsiveness to tactile stimuli was consistently related to hyperactive and distractible behavior in children (Ayres, 1965(Ayres, , 1966(Ayres, , 1969(Ayres, , 1972. Overresponsiveness to tactile stimuli is easily recognized in children (McIntosh, Miller, Shyu, & Dunn, 1999) and there has been some success in treating it with sensory-based interventions (Ayres & Tickle, 1980;Mailloux, 2001;Miller, Wilbarger, Stackhouse, & Trunnell, 2002;.Ayres (1964) hypothesized that tactile defensiveness could interfere with normal perceptual and cognitive development, as well as motor planning. The core deficit in sensory overresponsiveness is regarded as difficulty suppressing irrelevant sensory stimuli coupled with inappropriately high responsiveness to those stimuli.…”