Abstract
The objective of the current study was to compare the effects of sensory-integration therapy (SIT) and a behavioral intervention
on rates of challenging behavior (including self-injurious behavior) in four children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
For each of the participants a functional assessment was conducted to identify the variables maintaining challenging behavior.
Results of these assessments were used to design function-based behavioral interventions for each participant. Recommendations
for the sensory-integration treatment were designed by an Occupational Therapist, trained in the use of sensory-integration
theory and techniques. The sensory-integration techniques were not dependent on the results of the functional assessments.
The study was conducted within an alternating treatments design, with initial baseline and final best treatment phase. For
each participant, results demonstrated that the behavioral intervention was more effective than the sensory integration therapy
in the treatment of challenging behavior. In the best treatment phase, the behavioral intervention alone was implemented and
further reduction was observed in the rate of challenging behavior. Analysis of saliva samples revealed relatively low levels
of cortisol and very little stress-responsivity across the SIT condition and the behavioral intervention condition, which
may be related to the participants’ capacity to perceive stress in terms of its social significance.
on rates of challenging behavior (including self-injurious behavior) in four children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
For each of the participants a functional assessment was conducted to identify the variables maintaining challenging behavior.
Results of these assessments were used to design function-based behavioral interventions for each participant. Recommendations
for the sensory-integration treatment were designed by an Occupational Therapist, trained in the use of sensory-integration
theory and techniques. The sensory-integration techniques were not dependent on the results of the functional assessments.
The study was conducted within an alternating treatments design, with initial baseline and final best treatment phase. For
each participant, results demonstrated that the behavioral intervention was more effective than the sensory integration therapy
in the treatment of challenging behavior. In the best treatment phase, the behavioral intervention alone was implemented and
further reduction was observed in the rate of challenging behavior. Analysis of saliva samples revealed relatively low levels
of cortisol and very little stress-responsivity across the SIT condition and the behavioral intervention condition, which
may be related to the participants’ capacity to perceive stress in terms of its social significance.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-010-1149-x
- Authors
- Sarah Devlin, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Olive Healy, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Geraldine Leader, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Brian M. Hughes, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257