Sensory Preferences
Assist a child as necessary to complete this free printable worksheet to determine sensory diet activities for different situations. You can download the blank worksheet at YourTherapySource.com.
Proprioception and Autism Spectrum Disorders
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published research on proprioceptive processing difficulties among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental disabilities. A total of 86 children (32 with ASD, 26 children with development disabilities but not ASD and 28 neurotypical children) were scored on the Comprehensive Observations of Proprioception (COP). The COP observes 18 […]
Sensory Processing, Behavior and Cognition in Preschoolers with Autism
The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published a retrospective study on sensory processing, problem behavior, adaptive behavior and cognition in 42 preschoolers with autism. The results indicated the following: a significant relationship between degree of sensory processing impairment and level of problem behavior a weak relationship between sensory processing and adaptive behavior level of sensory […]
Dental Visits and Autism
Here is a wonderful, FREE, booklet that you can download for children with autism who will be visiting the dentist. It offers many sensory tips so it is also beneficial for children with sensory processing disorder. It includes tips for oral hygiene, sensory modifications, behavior modifications, sequence picture cards and social stories. You can find […]
Head Lag and Autism
Recent research indicates that infants who exhibit a head lag are at risk for autism, language and/or social development delays. Forty infants who were considered at risk for autism (due to sibling diagnosed with autism) were tested for head lag at 6, 14, 24, and, for outcome diagnosis, at 30 or 36 months. The results […]
Motor Characteristics of Children with Possible Autism
Pediatric Physical Therapy published research on a retrospective chart review of 30 children (mean age 31.57 months (plus or minus 6 months) who were referred to an autism clinic. According to scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III), the children exhibited a mean delay of 6 months in gross […]
Autism, Motor Skills and Socialization
If you ever need to justify why children with autism need occupational or physical therapy, don’t forget to include the benefits that improvements in motor skill development has on socialization. Recent research looked at young children’s scores on the Battelle Developmental Inventory–Second Edition for gross and fine motor skills. The Baby and Infant Screen for […]
Motor Stereotypies
A literature review was performed on motor stereotypies defined as “diverse range of movements, behaviours, and/or vocalizations that are repetitive, lack clear function, and sometimes appear to have a negative impact upon an individual’s life”. Motor stereotypies commonly occur in children with autism. The review indicated that the purpose of motor stereotypies remained unknown but […]
Neurofeedback and Autism
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published a review of current studies on neurofeedback and autism. The results indicated that the evidence does not support the use of neurofeedback in the treatment of autism. The researchers also found that any improvements noted from neurofeedback may have been addressing a co morbid diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity […]
New Pressure Vest
Came across this in the Boston Herald about a new pressure vest for individuals with autism. You can watch the video on the product or read more information in an article. The inventors are planning on doing clinical trials and hope for approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. Would love to hear what […]