User:Tburd74/sandbox

Sensory Challenges of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Parent Guide
Introduction: Students who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), have myriad challenges sensory integration. In the video link, High Tech Help for Autism, a girl was using "Brain Balance" as a way to connect both hemisphere's of the brain due to sensory deficits. The girl depicted was challenged with balance and strength with regards to the vestibular and proprioceptive systems. Brain Balance was used to strengthen the girl's balance, coordination and strength related to sensory issues. Other sensory systems that were involved were visual and hearing.

Foundational sensory challenges: Children who have difficulty with sensory processing can experience extreme challenges with understanding the world around them. Often times students experience high levels of frustration and anxiety with how the sensory information impacts them. Loud sounds, scratchy sweaters, strong smells and others can create difficulty with sustaining attention, completing tasks, and even result in compulsive, repetitive behaviors. As a result, ASD students need specific programs and interventions to address such sensory deficits.

Program to shape behavior: The program that can provide for accommodations to address the vestibular and proprioceptive systems from the girl in the video link are specialized activities like swinging, bicycling, extra curricular team sports, avoiding movement activity before bedtime. Also, weighted vests, lap bags, incorporating heavy work on both sides of the body (based on IEP goals) are possible programs to address sensory issues with vestibular and proprioceptive sensory systems deficits.

Interventions for skill acquisition: Students who need specific intensive intervention to meet their sensory needs are often needing occupational therapists to address a major life activity. The Alert Program (Williams & Shellenberger, 1994) is an intensive intervention that teaches sensory regulation to decrease extreme responses to external stimuli. The Alert Program uses conceptual themes like a car that runs too hot, or engine speed to recognize self-monitoring skills to decrease escalated sensory overload issues. Another intervention program is called Sensory Integration Therapy (Bundy et. al., 2002) which uses meaningful therapeutic activities that which present enhanced sensation to tactile, proprioception and vestibular activities. Improvement in play skills, social interaction with adults along with motor abilities have been noted.

References