Occupational Therapy With Ayres Sensory Integration Approach for School-age Children

Occupational Therapy With Ayres Sensory Integration Approach for School-age Children - a Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction:

Sensory Integration (SI) is a theory and framework conceptualized by Dr. Jean Ayres, a highly experienced occupational therapist, with its main objective as enhancing the brain's capacity to perceive and organize sensory information to produce a more normal, adaptive response; thus, to provide the foundation for mastering academic tasks (Case-Smith and O'Brien, 2010).

Objectives:

The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of ASI interventions for school-aged children with sensory modulation and sensory processing deficits.

Methodology:

A cross-clustered single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted in 5 occupational therapy outpatient department within Hospital Authority, to assess the difference in clinical outcomes between subjects in experimental group (received ASI) and control group (on usual waitlist for treatment). Participants in experimental group (EG) would receive 16 sessions (45 minutes each) of individualized ASI. The sessions were scheduled on weekly basis and would be completed within five months once treatment was initiated. Post-assessment outcomes would be measured at this time-point. Post-assessment outcomes would also be measured for subjects in control group (CG) at the same time-point. ASI would then be initiated for participants in CG according to usual clinical scheduling.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged between six and 12 years old, and attending mainstream primary school
• identified as having problems with sensory modulation and/or sensory processing, according to the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) and the Chinese Sensory Profile completed by their main caregivers for pre-treatment evaluation (definite differences on at least three out of seven of the factor summary or section summary)
• absence of serious emotional or behavioral disturbance
• intelligence quotient no lower than limited (scores range from limited to average or above average).

Exclusion Criteria:

• any neurological problem, such as cerebral palsy
• a history of visual and/or auditory defects or physical problems