The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published a pilot study on 6 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who participated in 45 minute hippotherapy sessions for 12 weeks. To determine pre and post intervention scores the following were used: the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales–II, the Child Activity Card Sort, force plates and a video motion […]
The Archives of Disease in Childhood published research on longitudinal sleep patterns in 73 children with autism. Parental reports of sleep duration were collected 8 times from 6 months to 11 years old. The results indicated the following: from 30 months to 11 years old children with autism sleep 17-43 minutes less than their peers […]
Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities published research on the sleep problems and symptom severity in children with autism. Using mother’s reports, 109 children with autism (without any co-morbid diagnoses) were studied. The following results were reported: positive correlation between the severity of sleep problems and the severity of autism symptoms sleep onset delay and sleep […]
If you are like me, you have frequently had questions from parents regarding how to help their children with sensory processing difficulties fall asleep and to stay asleep. Now there is Autism Sleeps, written by Ileana McCaigue, who has over 36 years of experience as an occupational therapist and she has sensory integration certification. Autism Sleeps™ […]
Pediatrics published a systemic review on vocational interventions for young adults (ages 13-30 years of age) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Only 5 studies were included and all were of poor quality. The main focus of the research articles utilized on-the-job supports as the vocational/employment intervention. The results of the short term studies indicated the […]
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders published research on 233 children ages 14 to 49 months diagnosed with autism. The researchers examined the relationship of motor skills on the adaptive behavior composite, daily living, adaptive social and adaptive communicative skills while holding constant the age, non-verbal problem solving, and the severity of autism. The following results […]
The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal published research on three adolescent males with autism using a semi-structured interview protocol supplemented with visual cues to enhance the understanding of the way people with autism spectrum disorder experience sensory input. The results indicated the following: preferences for expected, predictable and controllable sensory input unexpected, unpredictable and uncontrollable sensations […]
The Journal of Neuroscience has published research on enhanced motion perception in children with autism. Previous studies have reported that children with autism can have enhanced visual perceptual skills with static objects but this is the first study that indicated an enhanced perception of motion which may help to explain why some children with autism […]
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders has published an analysis of the research related to feeding problems and autism. The review indicated the following: significantly more feeding problems in children with autism versus their peers examination of dietary nutrients showed significantly lower intake of calcium and protein in children with autism The researchers recommend […]
Developmental Neurorehabilitation published a single case study that analyzed the effects of a weighted vest on the aggressive and self-injurious behavior of a young boy with autism. An ABAB design was used where the boy wore a 5 pound weighted vest or no vest. The results indicated that the weighted vest had no marked effect […]