Sensory Integration Therapy in a Sample of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions, social communication and stereotyped behaviours associated with sensory disorders occurring before the age of 3.

According to DSM-5, sensory processing disorders include hyper-reactivity to sensory stimuli which is an adverse response to sensory stimuli (specific sounds or textures, excessive smells), hypo-reactivity as an apparent indifference to sensory stimuli (pain or temperature-hot/cold) and sensory seeking as a strong desire for sensory intake (touching of objects, visual fascination with lights and movements) or unusual sensory interests in the environment.] Multisensory interactions in spatial processing are investigated with functional neuroimaging and electrophysiological recordings. Using fMRI, researchers identified candidate multisensory areas by looking for regions of cortex that are activated by visual and tactile stimuli, showing that multisensory processing in the human brain involves the multisensory areas of ''association'' cortex as well as the modality-specific areas of cortex that are specialized for the processing of stimulus features such as colour, shape and texture.

Ayres Sensory Integration therapy (ASI) is an individualized intervention designed to address the specific underlying sensory-motor issues that may be affecting children's performance during daily routines and activities, including participation within the classroom and in other contexts of the school.

Inclusion criteria

• All patients included in the study are diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder according to DSM-V criteria.
• Participants have to have a sensory problem in their diagnostic criteria.
• Age ranges between 3-10 years. (as scope of the study is focused on children)
• Both males and females.
• Parents or guardian agreed to informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Parents refusing to participate in the research
• Children with comorbid psychiatric and/or neurological disorder
• Children with co-morbid sensory deficit, hearing , vision, and motor deficit
• Intelligence quotient level below 60
• Children who scored typical performance in the sensory profile care-giver questionnaire