Sensory Modulation Toddlers

There is evidence provided within this proposal that includes sensory integration being an important contributor to ASD children sensory stimulus to self regulate and improve the children’s acting out behaviors, like aggression

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a growing problem throughout the entire globe. Autism Spectrum Disorder is defined as deficits in social reciprocity and communication, as well as unusual, restricted and repetitive behaviors (Lord). Such behaviors may include running back and forth, excessive cleaning, noises, and clapping. These also vary greatly with age and ability, and the notion of ASD has been introduced to recognize these diversities (Firth). Autism was first discovered in 1943 when Leo Kanner observed 11 children with several common traits such as, impairments in social interaction, anguish for changes, good memory, belated echolalia, over sensitivity to certain stimuli (especially sound), food problems, limitations in spontaneous activity,

These accounts have provided a special glimpse into the sensory disorders that accompany autism. It is fascinating to see how Dr. Grandin and Tito are living examples of how the autistic person perceives the world. At first glance, the two testimonies seem very much alike to me. Both of these autistic persons' nervous systems are constantly overwhelmed by the sensory input that their bodies receive. However, a much closer look reveals to me the key differences between the two. Dr. Grandin is a high-functioning autistic person whose nervous system receives too much sensory input. Her

Sensory perceptual issues are not part of the diagnostic criteria for autistic spectrum conditions. They are often overlooked and the difficulties they cause are attributed to other aspects of an individual’s autism. However, sensory sensitivity is an integral part of the lives of most people on the autistic spectrum and can have a profound effect on the individual and on those around them. Because of this it is very important to try to understand the sensory world of each individual with an autistic spectrum condition, however difficult this may be for a ‘neuro typical’ person. Wherever possible, it is important to get a sensory assessment, ideally carried out by a specialist.

The way information is processed can be described as hypersensitive or hyposensitive. The sensory system can be viewed as having seven components:

Looking at behavior of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders it can often be categorized in four broad categories. Attention/access is behavior that occurs so the child can obtain something that they want. (Heflin & Alaimo, 2011) Avoidance/Escape is a behavior that allows the child to escape something that is undesirable. (Heflin & Alaimo, 2011) Sensory-based is behavior that occurs to solicit pleasurable feedback. (Heflin & Alaimo, 2011) Pain attenuation is a behavior that so that a pain does not hurt so much not seen a lot in education. (Heflin & Alaimo, 2011) Three of the four behaviors will be addressed in how they manifest in the classroom, examples of these behaviors and recommendations to deal with behaviors.

Mastering social skills and interaction is a challenge for children living with autism. Autistic children often do not play with other children. Part of this is noticed during the early developmental stages of childhood. Autistic children are often referred as off in a world of their own, unaware of people or events around them. Children with autism have difficulties in verbal and with non-verbal communication, social interactions and leisure activities. Autistic children have sensory disorders that affect how they interact with objects and people around them. They possibly will experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell. “Many children with autism have unusual sensitivities to sounds, sights, touch, taste and smells. High-pitched intermittent sounds, such as fire alarm or school bells, may be painful to these children. Scratchy fabrics and clothing tags may also be intolerable, and some children have visual sensitivities to the flickering of fluorescent lights (autism-society).” The lack of social skills can create behaviors in autistic children.

With the prevalence of autism at an all-time high, there are many benefits to identifying a child as early as possible. Identification and intervention can dramatically improve outcomes for children with ASD. Children have increased neural plasticity at a very early age, making it easier for children to learn new skills such as communication, play, and overall skill development. Early intervention will improve children’s behaviors and remediate areas of weaknesses. Also, according to the New Jersey Early Intervention System program, early intervention makes the transition into preschool easier for children diagnosed with autism. In addition, parent-implemented intervention usually leads to better parent-child interaction, improved communication, behavior, and better maternal knowledge of autism.

The DSM 5 defines autism spectrum disorder as a persistent deficit in social communication and interaction across various areas. The deficits occur in the areas of social and emotional functioning, non-verbal communicative behaviors, and fostering relationships. The DSM 5 also includes repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities as factors to consider when seeking to understand if a child has autism. The child can become fixated on specific objects, strongly adhere to schedules or ritualized patterns. When patterns are broken, the child has a difficult time transitioning to a new schedule or pattern of existence. Additionally, the child may be hyper or hyperactivity to various sensory aspects of the environment. As denoted

Two other events were in 1980 when the term “infantile autism” was added to the DSM and in 1991 when autism was added to the Individualized with Disabilities Education Act. In 1943, Dr. Leo Kanner published a paper, "Autistic Disturbances of Affective Contact,” in the Nervous Child journal. He described the behavior and upbringing of eleven children with autism, along with the parent’s socioeconomic and educational background. The children were between the ages of two and eight years old and were highly intelligent.

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

When the phrase “sensory processing pattern” is coupled with behavioral responses in autistic disorder, one might agree that the two belong together. Not knowing much about autistic disorder, yet very interested in the topic, I found it fascinating that some sensory processing (SP) difficulties have a high correlation with the behaviors of autism, while other SP difficulties have been found to have little to do with the disorder. This can be seen in the study that was conducted in 2007 which was published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. The article, The Relationship between Sensory Processing Patterns and Behavioral Responsiveness in Autistic Disorder: a Pilot Study, investigated the correlation between sensory processing patterns and the social, emotional and behavioral receptiveness of autistic children. (Baker, Lane, Angley, & Young, 2007).

Other infants were placed in a low-risk control group (LRC) if they had at least one sibling with typical development. The development of these reference siblings was determined by their scores on the Social Communication Questionnaire answered by their parents. HRA infants had siblings who scored at least 15 and LRC infants siblings scored less than 12. HRA infant siblings also met diagnostic criteria on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) or were diagnosed by an expert clinician. Infants were seen at 12 and 18 months as part of a larger ongoing project. At the 12-month visit, research staff administered the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scale (CSBS), the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (MSEL), and infants and parents had 10-minutes of free play with infant-appropriate toys (MC). At the 18-month visit, staff ran the MSEL and the ADOS. CSBS is a semi-structured interaction between an infant and examiner designed to assess the infant’s communicative and symbolic behavior ranges; in the context of the present study, it was used for scoring infant gesture competency. MSEL is a standardized developmental assessment for infants from birth through 68 months that measures skills in Gross Mother and four cognitive domains: Visual reception, Fine Motor, Expressive and Receptive Language. ADOS is a semi-structured play-based interaction used to assess participants’ communicative and

Having a child with autism, you will know the challenges you face on a daily basis and one of the most common of them is dealing with sensory issues your child may have. Sensory issues are where someone has an over or under sensitivity to things such as; the texture of food, the level of light and the level of sound for example that causes them discomfort that causes stress and may even cause meltdowns.

Persons with autism may exhibit repeated body movements (hand flapping, rocking), unusual responses to people or attachments to objects and resistance to changes in routines. Individuals may also experience sensitivities in the five senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Several related disorders are grouped under the broad heading “Pervasive Developmental Disorder” or PDD – a general category of disorders which are characterized by severe and pervasive impairment in several areas of development (American Psychiatric Association 1994).