Occupational therapy Approaches for sensory integration in autism spectrum disorder: scoping review
Keywords:
Occupational therapy, sensory, autism spectrum disorder, scoping review.
Abstract
Sensory treatment for children on the autism spectrum is one of the most prominent thorny topics that studies in all its forms have dealt with. Reliance was placed on presenting the latest theories that dealt with this topic, and what therapists have provided from 2014 to 2023 for children with their various types. The work aims to examine the sensory patterns and processing systems in children, and was completed. Treatment through a literary review of relevant literature from 2014 to 2023 through a database of databases published online in this field (PubMed, Eric, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus). (16) studies were extracted from Among them is one study in Arabic that was translated into English.
Following the submission, the inclusion criteria for 16 studies were analysed. The search was conducted by combining the keywords (autism), (sensory processing) (sensory processing disorder), and the results showed that children with autism show atypical sensory processing more than children who typically develop. natural.
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References
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Lucas, C. C., Pereira, A. P. da S., & Almeida, L. da S. (2023). Assessment of Sensory Integration in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review to Identify Tools Compatible with Family-Centred Approach and Daily Routines. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 17(3), 419–465. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2023.2203418
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Petty, T., Carpenter, A., Bland, A., & Brown, A. (2022). Sensory modulation terminology: A scoping review of OT’s terminology for children with autism spectrum disorder. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement_1), 7610500019p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.76S1-PO19
Reynolds, S., Glennon, T. J., Ausderau, K., Bendixen, R. M., Kuhaneck, H. M., Pfeiffer, B., Watling, R., Wilkinson, K., & Bodison, S. C. (2017). Using a Multifaceted Approach to Working With Children Who Have Differences in Sensory Processing and Integration. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(2), 7102360010p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.019281
Schaaf, R. C., Dumont, R. L., Arbesman, M., & May-Benson, T. A. (2018). Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(1), 7201190010p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.028431
Schoen, S. A., Lane, S. J., Mailloux, Z., May‐Benson, T., Parham, L. D., Smith Roley, S., & Schaaf, R. C. (2018). A Systematic Review of Ayres Sensory Integration Intervention for Children with Autism. Autism Research, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2046
Watling, R., & Hauer, S. (2015). Effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for children and youth with challenges in sensory integration and sensory processing: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(1), 6901180010p1–6901180010p12. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.018051
Barros, V. de M., Folha, D. R. da S. C., Pinheiro, R. C., & Della Barba, P. C. de S. (2023). Sensory processing and engagement: a systematic review. Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 31, e3521. https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctoAR269935212
Bartunek, J., Dittloff, K., & Gerdts, L. (2021). The effect of autism phenotype and diagnosis disclosure on students' desire for social distance from autistic peers. Autism, 25(7), 1863–1872. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613211014267
Bartunek, J., Kaitlyn Dittloff, Gerdts, L., Angela Huepfel, Sievert, W., Walczynski, V., & Yang, A. (2021). Sensory Based Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Evidence-Based Practice Project. Graduate Occupational Therapy Research and Projects, 0(2021). https://sophia.stkate.edu/ot_grad/18/
Bartunek, J., Dittloff, K., Gerdts, L., Huepfel, A., & Sievert, W. (2024). Enhancing exercise and training impact on children's quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 54(4), 1234–1247. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-024-05567-8
Bell, J. (2020). Sensory Integration Therapy for Students with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (Master's thesis, Northwestern College). NWCommons. https://nwcommons.nwciowa.edu/education_masters/251/
Buxbaum, J. D., Cutler, D. J., Daly, M. J., Devlin, B., Roeder, K., & Sanders, S. J. (2020). Not All Autism Genes Are Created Equal: A Response to Myers et al. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 107(5), 1000–1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2020.09.013
Buchner, T., Fortuna, J., & Lindsay, N. (2014). Sensory processing and functional performance in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 7(3-4), 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2014.966883
Case-Smith, J., Weaver, L. L., & Fristad, M. A. (2015). A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism, 19(2), 133–148. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361313517762
Daoud, Danielle, "Integrating Occupational Therapy Strategies in Autism Community Programs" (2023). Capstone Projects. 27.
Domínguez-Lucio, S., Compañ-Gabucio, L. M., Torres-Collado, L., & de la Hera, M. G. (2022). Occupational Therapy Interventions Using New Technologies in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(1). 332–358 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-022-05431-3
Edrees, H. M. (2023). Sensory interventions and treatments in autism: A critical review. Journal of Autism Spectrum Disorders, 58(2), 123–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-05789-1
Fouad, N., Hafez, N., El- Gebaly, H. H., & Fahiem, R. A. (2024). Efficacy of the sensory integration therapy on language development in autism spectrum disorder children. Egyptian Journal of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allied Sciences, 24(24), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejentas.2023.180257.1586
Justice, H., Haines, D., & Wright, J. (2021). Occupational therapy for adults with intellectual disabilities and sensory processing challenges: A Delphi study exploring practice within acute assessment and treatment units. Irish Journal of Occupational Therapy, 49(1), 28–35. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOT-11-2020-0018
Kashefimehr, B., Kayihan, H., & Huri, M. (2018). The effect of sensory integration therapy on occupational performance in children with autism. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 38(2), 75–83. https://doi.org/10.1177/1539449217743456
Kilroy, E., Aziz-Zadeh, L., & Cermak, S. (2020). Ayres Theories of Autism and Sensory Integration Revisited: What Contemporary Neuroscience Has to Say. Brain Sciences, 10(10), 653. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10100653
Lucas, C. C., Pereira, A. P. da S., & Almeida, L. da S. (2023). Assessment of Sensory Integration in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review to Identify Tools Compatible with Family-Centred Approach and Daily Routines. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 17(3), 419–465. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2023.2203418
Liddane, E. (2021). Occupational Therapy and Treatment of Sensory Issues Related Occupational Therapy and Treatment of Sensory Issues Related to Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review to Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review. https://cedar.wwu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1515&context=wwu_honors
Petty, T., Carpenter, A., Bland, A., & Brown, A. (2022). Sensory modulation terminology: A scoping review of OT’s terminology for children with autism spectrum disorder. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(Supplement_1), 7610500019p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2022.76S1-PO19
Reynolds, S., Glennon, T. J., Ausderau, K., Bendixen, R. M., Kuhaneck, H. M., Pfeiffer, B., Watling, R., Wilkinson, K., & Bodison, S. C. (2017). Using a Multifaceted Approach to Working With Children Who Have Differences in Sensory Processing and Integration. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(2), 7102360010p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.019281
Schaaf, R. C., Dumont, R. L., Arbesman, M., & May-Benson, T. A. (2018). Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(1), 7201190010p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.028431
Schoen, S. A., Lane, S. J., Mailloux, Z., May‐Benson, T., Parham, L. D., Smith Roley, S., & Schaaf, R. C. (2018). A Systematic Review of Ayres Sensory Integration Intervention for Children with Autism. Autism Research, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2046
Watling, R., & Hauer, S. (2015). Effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for children and youth with challenges in sensory integration and sensory processing: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(1), 6901180010p1–6901180010p12. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.018051
Published
2025-12-27
How to Cite
Sadeki , N., & Zaabta , sirine hadjer. (2025). Occupational therapy Approaches for sensory integration in autism spectrum disorder: scoping review. Journal of Science and Knowledge Horizons, 5(02), 312-336. https://doi.org/10.34118/jskp.v5i02.4448
Section
Articles
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