Behavioral indexes of the efficacy of sensory integration therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The study examined behavioral treatment effects of classical sensory integration therapy.

METHOD: This study used a prospective longitudinal, single-subject ABAB design. The participant was a boy, age 3 years and 5 months, with average nonverbal intellectual skills, delayed communication skills, and sensory modulation disorder. Difficulties with modulating sensory input and delayed communication skills affected his occupational performance in preschool. Behavioral data were collected in the preschool by teachers who were blind to the type and timing of sensory integration therapy.

RESULTS: Improvement in behavior regulation was observed, including increased engagement and decreased aggression, less need for intense teacher direction, and decreased mouthing of objects.

CONCLUSION: Classical sensory integration therapy may be associated with improved self-regulatory behaviors.