21115
The Influence of Sensory Integration on Behavior, Cognition and Mood in Autistic Children: A Pilot Study
Objective: The importance of this pilot-study was to determine if a change in the behaviour, cognition and mood exists/occurs after undertaking/participating ina sensory integration intervention programme. Additionally, the study was designed to determine the time frame for the effects of a sensory integration intervention programme to be observed, as well as which test elicited the highest improvement in sensory integration in autistic children.
Method: Eleven males and one female of all ethnic groups, between the ages of 2 and 7 years, were initially recruited from special needs schools in the Richards Bay area of Northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Participants were tested using the Sensory Processing Disorder Checklist for the baseline measurments and the Short Sensory Profile Checklist was used for the pre/post-testing .
Results: A powerful, positive correlation was observed between pre-and post-testing for behavior, mood, cognition ( r = .761). Paired t-tests demonstrated no significant changes in each class between baseline and post-test tactile sensitivity, taste/ smell sensitivity, underesponsive sensations, auditory filtering, low energy/ weak and visual/ auditory sensitivity. Movement sensitivity demonstrated a significant increase in the post-test ().
Conclusion:In conclusion, the effects of a sensory integration intervention programme positively influences an autistic child’s movement sensitivity, which assists with mood control, cognition and overall behaviour.