The Efficacy of Sensory Integration Therapy on Modifying Behavior in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review

Saturday, 7:00am to 8:00am
Windgate Hall
SP54
The following study examines the findings and results for the efficacy of sensory integration therapy (SIT) in reducing or modifying behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A thorough and comprehensive search of relevant published work was completed. Literature published between the years of 2000 and 2014 was used for the purpose of this review, assuring that the information used was the most recent and pertinent. All studies selected for this review were originally published in peer-reviewed journals. Each study was individually evaluated for relevance and quality, and examined according to the selected inclusion/exclusion criteria established for the purpose of this review. Five studies were identified that met the inclusion/exclusion criteria (Devlin et al., 2011; Fazlioglu & Baran, 2008; Iwanaga et al., 2013; Kane et al., 2004-2005; Schaaf et al., 2013). In total, the studies involved 90 participants treated with SIT that had been diagnosed with ASD. This review exposes the need for further research in the area of SIT in modifying behaviors in children with ASD, as no conclusive results were found. Though results were not found in support of the efficacy of SIT, no results were found that discredit this form of therapy if integrated with another form of therapy. Additional research is imperative to establish if SIT is a credible form of intervention in the treatment of children with ASD, as it is currently a very widely accepted and implemented therapy approach.
Track: 
Pediatric