Research Supports Sensory Therapeutic Techniques...

Imagine as a parent, not being able to hug your child or take them to the zoo or even stay in a hotel while on vacation. Picture too the tantrums and meltdowns when washing your child's hair or brushing their teeth or trying to convince them to leave their clothes on. Imagine the challenge your child faces daily when his behavior excludes him from regular kid activities. Then consider what you might do as the parent of a sensory challenged child if a program was proven effective in addressing this frustrating condition.

Recently the first twelve months of the sensory defensiveness research project, funded by an Erkkila Grant through Samaritan Health Services, was completed with strong indications that the prescribed sensory integration therapy techniques were very helpful. The results can also be attributed to the dedication of the families who committed to performing the therapeutic protocol at home multiple times daily.

Specific goals were determined for each participant and progress was tracked diligently. Suffice it to say each child showed measurable improvement, but more importantly was the impact on the child's and family's lives. By participating in this study, these children and their families are able to experience what many families take for granted. These parents learned techniques to actually change how their child's nervous system interprets sensory information. What was threatening or painful has become accepted and perhaps welcomed. Parents indicated significant changes with one parent commenting, "I have a 'typical' five year old now".

A sampling of the types of goals that these children were to work on included: increase the variety of foods they would eat, wear a variety of clothing, accept having their hair washed/cut/combed, decrease meltdowns in a particular day, increase interactions with peers, sleep through the night, be able to participate in social settings (preschool, party, etc), sit for increased periods of time, increase attention for tasks, participate in activities directed by others (adult or peer). All of these changes were expected without hitting, kicking, screaming, or refusing. For most children this would have been their reaction to these types of events prior to starting this program.

In addition to the specific goals that were established for each child, many parents noted changes in their child that were not reflected in measurable goals. Observations of increased attention, improved language, more peer interactions, sleeping better, happier, and less controlling were frequently noted. The occupational therapists at Old Mill will now share this information with local physicians, insurance providers, teachers and parents, as well as publish the study in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

For more detailed results of the research project, call Geri Aman at 757- 8068.