Effects of sensory stimulation on the adaptive behavior of students with ASD: a case study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) usually have difficulties to process and integrate the sensory stimulation of their environment. These difficulties can be reduced with adequate intervention, especially at early ages. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of a sensory stimulation program on the behavior and educational inclusion of a child with ASD of primary education. METHOD: A case study is presented with a 7-year-old participant diagnosed with ASD. The intervention consisted of 52 sessions of sensory stimulation designed according to the sensory profile of the participant. The effectiveness of the intervention has been evaluated through observation records, the Koynos sensory profile, the Short Sensory Profile and the Evaluation System for Children and Adolescents. RESULTS: The results of the intervention have shown a decrease in the frequency of maladaptive behaviors, what results in improvements in the inclusion processes. CONCLUSIONS: The students of the ordinary classroom have shown interest in the student with autism and his maladaptive behaviors have decreased during the intervention. That fact suggests that the intervention used has favored positive effects and that sensory stimulation is a good solution to sensory integration deficits.