Immediate effect of Ayres's sensory integration-based occupational therapy intervention on children with autism spectrum disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of Ayres' sensory integration intervention on the behavior and task engagement of young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Clinical observations and caregiver reports of behavior and engagement also were explored to help guide future investigations.


METHODS
This single-subject study used an ABAB design to compare the immediate effect of Ayres's sensory integration and a play scenario on the undesired behavior and task engagement of 4 children with ASD.


RESULTS
No clear patterns of change in undesired behavior or task management emerged through objective measurement. Subjective data suggested that each child exhibited positive changes during and after intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
When effects are measured immediately after intervention, short-term Ayres's sensory integration does not have a substantially different effect than a play scenario on undesired behavior or engagement of young children with ASD. However, subjective data suggest that Ayres's sensory integration may produce an effect that is evident during treatment sessions and in home environments.
Watling
Renee L
RL
Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. rwatling@u.washington.edu
Dietz
Jean
J
D001288:Attention; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010989:Play Therapy; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome