Effect of Sensory-Based Interventions on Adaptive Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorders are described as anomalies of social interactions, and having repetitious and stereotype behaviors. There is a positive correlation between hyper sensitivity and attention disorders in the diagnosed children. Also, there is a problem with hypo sensitivity in these children in the sense that they are not capable of performing adaptive behavior. Also, they lack interaction skills and social interactions. The present study aimed to investigate the intervention of the sensory based intervention of the high function autistic children on their adaptive behavior. The present randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 children with Autism Spectrum Disorders who were selected from an available sample. The data was collected using Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales questionnaire. The evaluations were conducted both before and right after the interference. The control group received the normal therapy whereas the experimental group received this therapy together with the privileges of the sensory protocol of the present study. The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS and running Paired T-Test. The findings of the study indicated that there was no significant meaningful difference between the performances of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the two groups regarding the interactive skills (P=0.575), daily living skills (P=0.702), socialization (P=0.449), and maladaptive behavior (P=0.605). According to the results, the interference had no effect on the adaptive behavior of the Autistic children. Considering the fact that adaptive behavior is related to secondary senses (olfactory, taste and hearing), it is suggested that these factors be taken into consideration, too.