Play And Sensory Processing: A Systematic Analysis

Many treatment approaches have developed different ways of dealing with the challenges of autism. First, there is the theory of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), which consists of giving a child a specific task, which teaches skills from basic ones to more complex ones, such as social interaction. Children taking this approach, work 30-40 hours a week with a trained professional. (West 66) It may be emotionally difficult for the child, and his/her parents to dedicate so much time, yet it is worth it. However, it has been proven that ABA methods have shown consistent results in teaching new skills and behaviors to children with autism. (West 68)

The contribution of three research papers push forwards my hypothesis that occupational therapy has the power to grant indispensable rehabilitation for adolescents with an autistic disorder. For instance, seventeen children in one study as its experiment group received manualized OT/SI (occupational therapy using sensory integration) intervention adhering to the principles of sensory integration around, “sensory motor factors affecting the child’s functional behaviors and individually-tailored sensory motor activities were developed to address….[these components in adaptive ways in order the] intervention is contextualized in play with active involvement of the child and conducted in a large gym equipped…[with chances for] active, guided, sensory

Sensory integration is a condition that can be found in young children. This condition is defined as the difficulty of developing motor and cognitive skills at a typical rate(book). If the parent of a child with this condition is fully aware, most likely they will take the steps they need to better their child’s life. With that being said, the child will need an occupational therapist. The researcher has gathered information on the steps and guidelines of what an occupational therapist needs to follow for early intervention, the benefits it has for the child in need, and also the roles of an occupational therapist that will be further discussed. One of the most important role that an occupational therapist can do for a child with sensory integration is early intervention. The earlier you acknowledge the condition, the better outcome the child has at improving his/her physical and mental capabilities. Early intervention helps these children strive towards a path that improves their abilities and skills that are developed during these crucial years.

How does sensory processing disorder affect learning? Sensory input plays an important role in learning. The effect of and impact of sensory processing difficulties are not fully understood or researched. Play helps children learn cooperation skills, appropriate social skills, conflict resolution, and about friendships. However, research has shown the correlation between sensory processing, play, and learning is unclear and inconsistent. (Watts, Stagnitti, & Brown, 2014). This is the second reason for the controversy surrounding sensory processing disorder. There is no clear cut or valid proof that sensory processing difficulties effect learning. Parents of children with sensory processing difficulties will disagree. There children struggle every day with things that typical developing children can perform without any difficulty or thought. Treatment for sensory processing disorder is limited and extremely expensive for parents. Treatment for sensory processing disorder involves a “sensory diet” which is an individual plan designed to help the individual function. (Delaney, 2008). Typical

In order for a child to develop productive social skills, it is important to choose toys to enhance active, imaginative play, and discourage time at the computer or television. A game in which a child is encouraged to think for themselves rather than sit motionless staring at an electronic screen, is better for the development of the child’s social skills (Moore, 2). Time spent with other children, rather the child’s own age or older, will help develop necessary social skills that will stick with the child through adulthood (Roode, 1). From the day they are born, infants and children begin to form relationships, these relationships eventually deepen and enable them to handle future relationships with others outside their initial circle (Roode, 1). The ability for a person to build and further relationships, make moral judgments, etc. can be enhanced with games played with a group of children, stuffed animals, puppets or instruments (Roode, 1).

These sensory activities are performed before attending applied behavioral analysis sessions. Common activities that assist with sensory processing involve movement, such as jumping, work activities, such as drawing, and equipment, such as weighted

This is important because these sensory deficits present occupational barriers for both child and caregiver's ability to engage in meaningful activities. There is mixed empirical research regarding the effectiveness of sensory based interventions due to the variability in the symptomatology of children with sensory deficits. However and in spite of the sparse supporting evidence it is used in many occupational therapy settings because it has been shown to be effective in individualized clinical treatment plan and in less rigorous studies. AOTA has launched an initiative across all occupational therapy domains to increase the use of evidence based practice. The triangulation process used in this qualitative inquiry is designed to make the data collection process more robust (Portney & Watkins, 2009). Thus adding to the growing base of evidence supporting the use of sensory based interventions in occupational therapy

In this paper, I will be discussing the disorder of Autism, a sever disorder that affects the function of the brain. It causes problems in such areas as social contact, intelligence, language and speech impediments, along with ritualistic or compulsive behaviors, as well as different responses to the environment that an autistic individual may have different than individuals not having autism would exhibit. I will be discussing generally about the history and description of autism. Also I will be discussing the charactistics that mark an autistic individual, the actual treatment that an autistic person may receive, risk factors that an autistic person may encounter, and interventions/treatments activities that an individual who has autism may take part in. I feel that by doing all of this that I will gain a greater sense of understanding for individuals with autism. I will be giving this information to you by going through each topic that I have outlined in the introduction and explaining what each means and how they affect an individual with autism.

In this book, “Helping children with autism learn: Treatment approaches for parents and professionals” Siegel gives parents of autistic children what they need most: hope. Siegel explains that how to take an inventory of a child particular disabilities that break down the various kinds unique to autism. Many other signs and symptoms are also seen in a child suffering from autism are atypical eating, lack of intuition and less attention to social stimuli. This book has been a great help in the research as it explains about the key understanding of each autism case as a discrete set of learning disabilities, each of which must be treated individually. This book is relevant to my research as it has important documentation and papers about the conference. It provides a detailed account of the issues, at the same time, Siegel offer a new understanding and a practical, thoughtful approach that will give parents a new hope.

Therapists' Attitudes in the Field. International Journal of Play Therapy. 20 (2): 51-65, DOI: 10.1037/z0023410.

Lane, Young, Baker, and Angley (2010) examined sensory processing with 54 children with autism and the connection to sensory processing associated with adaptive behavior. Three distinct sensory processing (SP) subtypes were found as a result such as sensory modulation with taste/smell sensitivity, sensory-based inattentive seeking, and sensory modulation with movement sensitivity. This study was conducted using a questionnaire given to the parents called a Short Sensory profile. This looked at all 7 sensory areas such as tactile, taste/smell, movement and visual/auditory sensitivity, under responsive, auditory filtering, and low energy (Lane, Young, Baker, & Angley, 2010). The Vinland Adaptive behavior scales was used to interview the child's parents in order to assess the child's adaptive behavior skills. The result further provided evidence that children with ASD do experience more differences in SP than their peers. It resulted in high levels of sensory domains in auditory filtering, taste/smell sensitivity and low energy. It also showed a correlation that individuals with sensory modulation with taste/smell sensitivity have significantly greater communication

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD / autism) are a group of disorders referred to as "developmental disabilities" and the result for children afflicted with ASD is "significant social, communication and behavioral changes" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC). In short, children with ASD simply deal with their brain's information in ways apart from others around them. The CDC information explains that autism can afflict a child in a very "mild" way or in a "sever" way as well. Many of the symptoms are typically shared by all children with autism, and among those shared symptoms having to do with social interaction; children with autism struggle to have normal social interaction with others. The differences in how autism manifests itself in a child and how it starts can be dramatic. This paper reviews the physical, social, and cognitive aspects of autism in children, and relates two developmental theories to the literature on autism.

According to recent data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that 1 in 68 children in the United States are afflicted with an autism spectrum disorder, spanning all income classes and ethnicity and the majority of them are male. In the past educational needs were met with Special-Education teachers providing one on one instruction with specialized techniques. Autism affects the senses in terms of over-reactors and under-reactors of the senses. What this equates to is that the processing of senses, touch, taste, smelling, and feeling is distorted (Magnusen, 2005, p. 1).

Play is the business of childhood, allowing your child free rein to experiment with the world around him and the emotional world inside him, says Linda Acredolo, professor of psychology at the University of California at Davis and co-author of Baby Signs: How to Talk With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk and Baby Minds: Brain-Building Games Your Baby Will Love. While it may look like mere child's play to you, there's a lot of work — problem solving, skill building, overcoming physical and mental challenges — going on behind the scenes. Here are some of the things your child is experiencing and learning, along with ideas on how you can help boost the benefits of his play. Play builds the

Play is the foundation stone of children’s healthy and productive lives (Oliver & Klugman, 2002) and is also a significant means of child’s learning and development (Zigler, Singer & Bishop-