“I” Individual Difference
In the 1970s Jean Ayres pioneered discoveries about innate sensory processing differences. This provided a new way of understanding movement and regulatory behaviors. In addition, this work showed that these biological differences could be influenced and changed by specific therapeutic interventions.
Ayres JA. (1979). Sensory Integration and the Child. Western Psychological Services. Los Angeles, CA.
In 2001, Greenspan talked about how sensory processing differences could derail development. This concept of biological susceptibilities derailing development is now widely described.
Greenspan, S. I. (2001). The affect diathesis hypothesis: The role of emotions in the core deficit in autism and in the development of intelligence and social skills. Journal of Developmental and Learning Disorders, 5(1), 1–45.
Over the past 40 years, a large body of research has further described biological differences in sensory-motor processing in autism and other children and the effects of sensory-based treatment.
The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, in their 2001 landmark report, “Educating Children with Autism,” called for tailoring the treatment approach to the unique features of the individual child.
Lord, Catherine; McGee, James (Editors). Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism. Educating Children with Autism. Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academy Press (2001) p 217
In 2012, a meta-analysis of studies that incorporate the interest of the child showed effectiveness on influencing child outcomes.
Dunst, C. J., Trivette, C. M., & Hamby, D. W. (2012). Meta-analysis of studies incorporating the interests of young children with autism spectrum disorders into early intervention practices. Autism research and treatment, 2012.
A 2011 pilot randomized control study showed the effectiveness of sensory integration treatment for children with autism. Results showed improvement in social responsiveness, sensory processing, functional motor skills, and social-emotional factors with a significant decrease in autistic mannerisms.
Pfeiffer, B. A., Koenig, K., Kinnealey, M., Sheppard, M., & Henderson, L. (2011). Research Scholars Initiative—Effectiveness of sensory integration interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders: A pilot study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65, 76–85
In 2018, a systemic review with an analysis of four studies showed the benefits of parental training regarding sensory processing.
Miller-Kuhaneck, H., & Watling, R. (2018). Parental or teacher education and coaching to support function and participation of children and youth with sensory processing and sensory integration challenges: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(1), 7201190030p1-7201190030p11.
Also in 2018, A systemic review of sensory integration (updated in 2020) showed the efficacy of the Ayres sensory integration therapy.
Schaaf, R. C., Dumont, R. L., Arbesman, M., & May-Benson, T. A. (2018). Efficacy of occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(1), 7201190010p1-7201190010p10.
Differences in sensory processing, sensory reactivity, and sensory integration as well as differences in praxis and motor abilities have now been more thoroughly described in autistic children.
Zampella, C. J., Wang, L. A., Haley, M., Hutchinson, A. G., & de Marchena, A. (2021). Motor skill differences in autism spectrum disorder: A clinically focused review. Current Psychiatry Reports, 23(10), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01280-6
Schaaf, R. C., Mailloux, Z., Ridgway, E., Berruti, A. S., Dumont, R. L., Jones, E. A., Leiby, B.E., Sancimino, C., Yi, M., & Molholm, S. (2022). Sensory phenotypes in autism: Making a case for the inclusion of sensory integration functions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05763-0
Williams, Z. J., Schaaf, R., Ausderau, K. K., Baranek, G. T., Barrett, D. J., Cascio, C. J., … & Woynaroski, T. G. (2023). Examining the latent structure and correlates of sensory reactivity in autism: A multi-site integrative data analysis by the Autism Sensory Research Consortium.
Sensory processing has now been deemed as evidence-based practice in recent reviews of autism treatment.
Schaaf, R. C., Benevides, T., Mailloux, Z., Faller, P., Hunt, J., Van Hooydonk, E., Freeman, R., Leiby, B., Sendecki, J., & Kelly, D. (2014). An intervention for sensory difficulties in children with autism: A randomized trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(7), 1493-1506. https://doi:10.1007/s10803-013-1983-8
Schoen, S. A., Lane, S. J., Mailloux, Z., May‐Benson, T., Parham, L. D., Smith Roley, S., & Schaaf, R. C. (2019). A systematic review of Ayres sensory integration intervention for children with autism. Autism Research, 12(1), 6-19.
Hume, K., Steinbrenner, J. R., Odom, S. L., Morin, K. L., Nowell, S. W., Tomaszewski, B., Szendrey, S., McIntyre, N. S., Yücesoy-Özkan, S., & Savage, M. N. (2021). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism: Third generation review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(11), 4013–4032. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04844-2
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