Skip to content
Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre
  • OTARC Website
  • Our Researchers
  • Studies Recruiting
  • Early autism detection app
  • Donate
Ask an Autism Researcher

Sensory processing interventions

  • December 11, 2015June 5, 2018

What is the evidence basis for sensory processing interventions?

Boy in ball pit
Image courtesy of Suri Nualpradid at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Answer:

Therapies to address sensory issues in ASD have been around for a while. Unfortunately there is no strong evidence that they work or add anything over and above standard behavioural treatments, such as ABA based therapies.

The research on non-standard therapies is either non-existent or poorly designed, so that conclusions about effectiveness can’t be drawn.

There are a couple of websites that provide further information. One is an Australian website: The Raising Children’s Network , and specifically on sensory integration therapy.

Another website is from the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) in the US, and specific treatments.

For research info on other interventions from ASAT click here.

On the ASAT website, an article reviewing the evidence for sensory therapies is quoted as saying: “There exist so few studies that conclusions cannot be drawn” (p. 419). This article is by Dawson, G., & Watling, R. (2000). Interventions to facilitate auditory, visual, and motor integration in autism: A review of the evidence. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 415-421. This article can be downloaded here.

As far as we know, not much has changed in this field since 2000, the year of the above publication. Consequently, we cannot recommend any particular sensory processing therapy, because the evidence for effectiveness is just not available yet.

Compiled by Dr Elfriede Ihsen, OTARC Ask a Researcher Service

For more information:

To read further about sensory sensitivities in children with autism visit The Raising Children’s Network website.

Share

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related

Autism Research Podcasts
Imitation Difficulties Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Social Motivation or Motor-Execution Problem?
ask a researcher children ABA therapies sensory issues behavioural treatments

Articles

  • Latest research findings
  • Mental Health
  • Autism Girls and Woman
  • Neurodiversity
  • Ask an Autism Researcher
    • Adults with autism
    • Autism and sleep
    • Autism and the senses
    • Autism therapies & treatments
    • Autism, speech & language
    • Causes of autism
    • Family wellbeing
    • Intellectual disability and autism
    • Teaching and learning with autism
  • Frame of Mind artists
  • Inside the Lab
  • News
    • Director's Report
    • Events

Search

Join a Research Study

  • Register with OTARC

Subscribe to our Newsletter



    Social

    Friend me on Facebook
    Follow me on Twitter
    © 2018 Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre
    Theme by Colorlib Powered by WordPress
    • Register with OTARC
     

    Loading Comments...