Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence

Improving Culturally Sensitive Practices by Adapting the Ayres Sensory Integration® Intervention for Black & African American Communities

The purpose of this project was to:

•  Learn about the challenges and facilitators of access to occupational therapy services for Black and African American families of autistic children experience.
• To culturally adapt the manualized of occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration (OT-ASI) intervention for Black and African American families of autistic children.

Using Ayres Sensory Integration & Behavioral Intervention for Autistic Children: A comparative Effectiveness Trial

Occupational Therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration (OT-ASI) is a frequently requested and utilized evidence-based intervention for autism. Studies show it improves daily living skills and socialization using standardized outcome measures. However, this intervention has not been compared to other autism intervention methods, such as behavioral intervention (ABA). This session presents the findings of a highly controlled randomized trial comparing these interventions. Analysis showed both treatment groups improved in daily living skills and in individual goals. The ASI group improved more in daily living skills while the ABA group improved more on repetitive behaviors.

Breaking Boundaries: The Feasibility of a Telehealth-Adapted Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) Intervention for Autistic Children

An evidence-based Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) manual was adapted for remote delivery based on telehealth best practices; and then reviewed and rated by telehealth experts and OT clinicians. Families report positive feasibility and acceptability. The intervention provided parents with fun ways to promote home carryover, and methods of recognizing and addressing sensory needs in their children.

Parent-perceived Facilitators & Barriers to Implementation of Ayres Sensory Integration® Parent Education Modules for Autistic Children

• Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) is an evidenced based occupational therapy intervention used in different settings with children whose participation challenges are related to sensory integration. Parent education is an important part of ASI.
• ASI Parent Education Modules were developed to: 

1. Educate caregivers about the sensory integrative factors that may be impacting their child’s ability to participate fully in activities, tasks, and occupations
   

2. Provide suggestions for integrating therapeutic activities into daily routines
3. Promote collaboration between therapists and parents

• The purpose of the project is to investigate parents’ perceived facilitators and barriers to implementation of ASI Parent Education Modules for autistic children. This project utilizes a qualitative, phenomenological approach to examine the experiences of caregivers who used the modules during their child’s occupational therapy intervention. Following the initial stages of reflexive thematic analysis, preliminary overarching codes include parent perspectives on ASI information, understanding the why, and home vs. clinic.

Preliminary Outcomes of a Sensory-Friendly Vaccine Clinic for Autistic Children.

Sensory adaptations were rated with high levels of satisfaction, acceptability, and usefulness by participating caregivers. Feedback from participants indicate that areas for improvement could be in enhancing the waiting room experience or providing additional sensory toys. Preliminary findings reinforce importance of utilizing a manualized protocol to ensure successful implementation of sensory-friendly vaccine clinic procedures.