Effectiveness of Ayres Sensory Integration® and Sensory-Based Interventions for People With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review examines the literature published from January 2006 through April 2013 related to the effectiveness of Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) and sensory-based interventions (SBIs) within the scope of occupational therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder to improve performance in daily life activities and occupations. Of the 368 abstracts screened, 23 met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Moderate evidence was found to support the use of ASI. The results for sensory-based methods were mixed. Recommendations include performing higher level studies with larger samples, using the Fidelity Measure in studies of ASI, and using carefully operationalized definitions and systematic methods in examination of SBIs.

[1]  Jeff Sigafoos,et al.  Internet survey of treatments used by parents of children with autism. , 2006, Research in developmental disabilities.

[2]  Carla J. Thompson.  MULTI-SENSORY INTERVENTION OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH , 2011 .

[3]  M. Carter.  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. , 2014 .

[4]  A. Hayen,et al.  Auditory integration training and other sound therapies for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). , 2011, The Cochrane database of systematic reviews.

[5]  David Moher,et al.  Development of AMSTAR: a measurement tool to assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews , 2007, BMC medical research methodology.

[6]  C. Gillberg,et al.  Symptoms in the first two years of life , 1989, European archives of psychiatry and neurological sciences.

[7]  T. May-Benson,et al.  Systematic review of the research evidence examining the effectiveness of interventions using a sensory integrative approach for children. , 2010, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[8]  S. Toth-Cohen,et al.  The everyday routines of families of children with autism , 2011, Autism : the international journal of research and practice.

[9]  Beth Pfeiffer,et al.  Effectiveness of sensory integration interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders: a pilot study. , 2011, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[10]  L. Miller,et al.  Fidelity in sensory integration intervention research. , 2007, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[11]  R. Schaaf,et al.  An Intervention for Sensory Difficulties in Children with Autism: A Randomized Trial , 2013, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

[12]  Gulen Baran,et al.  A Sensory Integration Therapy Program on Sensory Problems for Children with Autism , 2008, Perceptual and motor skills.

[13]  L. Kanner.  Autistic disturbances of affective contact. , 1968, Acta paedopsychiatrica.

[14]  L. Parham.  The Relationship of Sensory Integrative Development to Achievement in Elementary Students: Four-Year Longitudinal Patterns , 1998 .

[15]  Preston A. Britner,et al.  A Preliminary Investigation of the Relationship between Sensory Processing and Social Play in Autism Spectrum Disorder , 2013, OTJR : occupation, participation and health.

[16]  E. Ornitz,et al.  The modulation of sensory input and motor output in autistic children , 1974, Journal of autism and childhood schizophrenia.

[17]  L. Heflin,et al.  The effect of sensory activities on correct responding for children with autism spectrum disorders , 2009 .

[18]  E. Fombonne,et al.  Sensori-motor and Daily Living Skills of Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders , 2009, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[19]  Shawn P. Quigley,et al.  Effects of a Weighted Vest on Problem Behaviors during Functional Analyses in Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders. , 2011 .

[20]  Beth Pfeiffer,et al.  Effect of classroom modification on attention and engagement of students with autism or dyspraxia. , 2012, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[21]  H. Polatajko,et al.  Exploring the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions, other than the sensory integration approach, with children and adolescents experiencing difficulty processing and integrating sensory information. , 2010, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[22]  J Deitz,et al.  Current practice of occupational therapy for children with autism. , 1999, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[23]  O. Healy,et al.  Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and Sensory-Integration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior , 2011, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[24]  Jane Case-Smith,et al.  Evidence-based review of interventions for autism used in or of relevance to occupational therapy. , 2008, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[25]  B. Reichow,et al.  A systematic review of sensory-based treatments for children with disabilities. , 2015, Research in developmental disabilities.

[26]  Russell Lang,et al.  Sensory integration therapy for autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review , 2012 .

[27]  Marcel Kinsbourne,et al.  Sensory and attention abnormalities in autistic spectrum disorders , 2006, Autism : the international journal of research and practice.

[28]  W. Stone,et al.  Sensory Experiences Questionnaire: discriminating sensory features in young children with autism, developmental delays, and typical development. , 2006, Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines.

[29]  K. Piravej,et al.  Effects of Thai traditional massage on autistic children's behavior. , 2009, Journal of alternative and complementary medicine.

[30]  C. Hilton,et al.  Relationship between social competence and sensory processing in children with high functioning autism spectrum disorders , 2007 .

[31]  Mao‐Hsiung Huang,et al.  The effectiveness of simulated developmental horse-riding program in children with autism. , 2010, Adapted physical activity quarterly : APAQ.

[32]  Jane Case-Smith,et al.  A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders , 2015, Autism : the international journal of research and practice.

[33]  Shirley V Leew,et al.  Weighted Vests' Effect on Social Attention for Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders , 2010, Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapie.

[34]  J. Case-Smith,et al.  Occupational therapy with children with pervasive developmental disorders. , 1999, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[35]  Tonya N. Davis,et al.  The Effects of a Brushing Procedure on Stereotypical Behavior. , 2011 .

[36]  Mark Carter,et al.  The Use of Weighted Vests with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Disabilities , 2009, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[38]  Michael Leon,et al.  Title Environmental enrichment as an effective treatment for autism : A randomized controlled trial , 2013 .

[39]  N. Bagatell,et al.  Effectiveness of therapy ball chairs on classroom participation in children with autism spectrum disorders. , 2010, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[40]  S. Spitzer.  With and Without Words: Exploring Occupation in Relation to Young Children with Autism , 2003 .

[41]  A. Ayres.  Sensory integration and learning disorders , 1973 .

[42]  I. Rapin,et al.  Autistic children: diagnosis and clinical features. , 1991, Pediatrics.

[43]  D. Moher,et al.  Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement , 2009, BMJ.

[44]  S. Hepburn,et al.  Parent Reports of Sensory Symptoms in Toddlers with Autism and Those with Other Developmental Disorders , 2003, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[45]  S. Lane,et al.  Sensory Processing, Physiological Stress, and Sleep Behaviors in Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorders , 2012 .

[46]  R. Watling,et al.  Immediate effect of Ayres's sensory integration-based occupational therapy intervention on children with autism spectrum disorders. , 2007, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[47]  G. Dawson,et al.  Interventions to Facilitate Auditory, Visual, and Motor Integration in Autism: A Review of the Evidence , 2000, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[48]  Judith Gould,et al.  Describing the Sensory Abnormalities of Children and Adults with Autism , 2007, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[49]  J. Poole,et al.  A Comparison of Limb Praxis Abilities of Persons with Developmental Dyspraxia and Adult Onset Apraxia , 2000 .

[50]  J. Deitz,et al.  Effects of therapy cushions on classroom behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder. , 2011, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[51]  R. Schaaf,et al.  Comparison of Behavioral Intervention and Sensory-Integration Therapy in the Treatment of Challenging Behavior , 2011, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[52]  B. J. Myers,et al.  Parental reports on the efficacy of treatments and therapies for their children with autism spectrum disorders , 2009 .

[53]  D. Moher,et al.  Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA Statement , 2009, BMJ : British Medical Journal.

[54]  L. Miller,et al.  Development of a fidelity measure for research on the effectiveness of the Ayres Sensory Integration intervention. , 2011, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[55]  J. Misiaszek,et al.  Weighted Vests, Stereotyped Behaviors and Arousal in Children with Autism , 2011, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[56]  G. Baranek.  Efficacy of Sensory and Motor Interventions for Children with Autism , 2002, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.

[57]  L. Bandini,et al.  Food selectivity and sensory sensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. , 2010, Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

[58]  Erin E. Barton,et al.  Effects of Weighted Vests on the Engagement of Children With Developmental Delays and Autism , 2010 .

[59]  Beth Pfeiffer,et al.  Sensory modulation and affective disorders in children and adolescents with Asperger's disorder. , 2005, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association.

[60]  Thomas J. Kiresuk,et al.  Goal attainment scaling: A general method for evaluating comprehensive community mental health programs , 1968, Community Mental Health Journal.

[61]  L. Wing,et al.  The handicaps of autistic children--a comparative study. , 1969, Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines.

[62]  D. Gast,et al.  The Effects of Weighted Vests on Appropriate In-Seat Behaviors of Elementary-Age Students With Autism and Severe to Profound Intellectual Disabilities , 2009 .

[63]  Lauren E. Milton,et al.  Annual Meeting—President's Address , 1945 .

[64]  Eynat Gal,et al.  A Meta-Analysis of Sensory Modulation Symptoms in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders , 2009, Journal of autism and developmental disorders.