Study Supports Sensory Integration Therapy as a Treatment for Autism
Monday April 28, 2008
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A new study from Temple University researchers, presented this month at the American Occupational Therapy Association’s 2008 conference, found that children with autistic spectrum disorders who underwent sensory integration therapy exhibited fewer autistic mannerisms compared to children who received standard treatments. Such mannerisms, including repetitive hand movements or actions, making noises, jumping or having highly restricted interests, often interfere with paying attention and learning.To find out more about this study, I checked in with author Beth Pfeiffer. She explained that the research involved a number of standardized measures and specific tests - though the selection of sensory integration techniques were individualized for each child.The children assigned to the sensory integration intervention group also reached more goals specified by their parents and therapists, said study authors Beth Pfeiffer, Ph.D., OTR/L, BCP, and Moya Kinnealey, Ph.D., OTR/L, from the Occupational Therapy Department in Temple University’s College of Health Professions. The children made progress toward goals in the areas of sensory processing/regulation, social-emotional and functional motor tasks.
Being a dyed-in-the-wool skeptic, I asked her whether she felt that high-priced sensory integration equipment and techniques were really necessary - or whether a run around the block and a visit to the swings at a local park would have a similar impact. Her response:
As for the equipment question, that one would really depend on the individual needs of the child. I think some really need certain types of equipment and others do not. I do believe that we need to integrate sensory based activities into the daily routines of the child either way to make the most impact (often times this has been termed sensory diets). The sensory diets though are best developed with an OT in conjunction with the families/teachers as the input has an influence on nervous system functioning and need to be individualized to the child (based on a trained assessment).Curious about sensory integration? Check out: Have you had positive (or negative) experiences with sensory integration therapy? What has worked best (or worst) for you and your child?
Comments
We did private sensory integration therapy that our insurance just automatically covered. My son had 2 hours a week, with two therapists for about 3 or 4 years.
There are some things these therapists can do that a parent just cant. I attribute my son tolerating music by the music therapy they introduced him to. The smells and oral textures he couldn’t handle, they had smells in a jar and textures on a stick, and to him, he was having fun. They did brushing and compression which the schools O.T never heard of.
You have to find the right place however. The first place I interviewed, I watched a therapy in action. This placed had a window of which any one could view, which is good and bad. While I watched, they held a child down on his back until he blew in this whistle. The child didn’t want to and fussed to get away, the therapist held that child down until that poor child pee’d his pants. He then blew the whistle. That was not sensory integration therapy to me, it was brutal.
Interview places that offer this, find the therapists that connects with your child. The outcome can be well worth it.
The study was also only conducted on late intervention ages children 6 to 12 so that gives a lot of hope that the window doesn’t close.
Also sensory integration therapy creator A. Jean Ayres envisioned was cheap intervention that used sheets and pillows. Other than the sensory integration swing we bought most of the equipment we needed our OT showed us how to use things we already have or purchase cheap. She lent us a tent. I found out my girl isn’t so much a tent girl.
Play dough can be made or bought cheap. She directed me how to use a stability ball, rocking chair.
“We got it for a big discount on the same swing because it was sold from a non therapy site.”
Sandy
That doesn’t seem anywhere near sensory integration therapy. I think we need higher standards of what’s allowed to be called therapy centers.