Sensory Integration Paper

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with certain features such as difficulties processing, integrating and responding to sensory stimuli. Currently, interventions such as sensory integration, that address issues in processing sensory information, are the most requested services from parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (Schaaf, Benevides, Mailloux, Faller, Hunt, van Hooydonk, & Kelly, 2014). The following paper will outline the pros and cons of the controversial treatment of sensory integration, as well as provide a personal opinion on the issue and how behavior analysts can approach the use of sensory integration. Hatch-Rasmussen (1995) defines sensory integration as, “an innate neurobiological process and refers to the integration and interpretation of sensory stimulation from the environment by the brain”. She supports this definition with saying that sensory integration focuses on three senses: tactile, proprioceptive and vestibular, which are all connected with systems in the brain, and deemed as critical for our basic survival. Because individuals with autism are said to have a dysfunctional sensory system, sensory problems could be an …show more content…
However, there is a lack in empirical evidence for sensory integration therapies and more research needs to be conducted to further evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy (Schaaf et al., 2014). Hoehn and Baumeister (1994) provided an article that examined the issue of whether or not children are helped in any way by participating in sensory integration therapy. They concluded their article stating that there are major doubts to the validity of sensory integration therapy and that there is enough evidence to deem sensory integration therapy as an ineffective treatment for learning disabilities and other disorders (Hoehn and Baumeister,