Autism
A neurodevelopment disorder. The diagnostic features include persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
What is the term?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
True/False: Emerging evidence suggests that sensory processing patterns are linked to sleep disturbances, particularly hypersensitive responses to touch
True
____________ interventions target problem behavior by helping the person modulate sensory processing needs throughout the environmental modification and/or physical modification.
Sensory-based
True/False: Occupational therapists do NOT address sleep.
False, occupational therapists recognize sleep as an essential occupation across the lifespan.
What are a few comorbid conditions commonly seen with ASD?
intellectual disability, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, gastrointestinal symptoms, enuresis, epilepsy, and sleep disturbance.
children with sensory difference recognize and respond to sensory stimuli differently than their peers and may hyperactive or hypoactive response to stimuli
what model supports this statement?
Dunn's Sensory Model of Processing
What type of intervention is typically recommended to use with children with ASD to improve sensory modulation?
Sensory-based intervention (evidence is mixed on this)
emotional, economic, social, education, and the family unit
True or False: Children with ASD are more likely to experience sensory modulation disorders compared to typically developing children.
True, up to 90% of children with ASD exhibit a sensory difference
What is the difference between a hyperreactive response and hyporeactive response.
Hyperreactive: react strongly to stimuli
Hyporeactive: take a passive approach to stimuli
Based on the Mische-Lawson, L. et al. study (2022) a sensory garments was ______ (effective/not statistically effective) for ALL children with ASD.
not statistically effective, children responded variably to the garment based on sensory preferences and age.
What are common symptoms of "sleep disturbances"?
insomnia, night walking, delayed onset of rapid eye movement, decreased total sleep time
children with sensory difference recognize and respond to sensory stimuli differently than their peers and may hyperactive or hypoactive response to stimuli
what model supports this statement?
Dunn's Sensory Model of Processing
Describe what hyperactive versus a hypoactive response to stimuli is.
Hyperactive: A child with low sensory thresholds frequently notice stimuli, when others do not
Hypoactive: children with high sensory thresholds require more sensory stimuli to register sensory input
What is an important factor to consider when looking at any sleep problem that was discussed in this study?
Age- older children and adolescents report more problems with sleep onset than younger children but less resistance when going to sleep.
What is the difference between sleep latency and sleep duration?
Sleep Latency:the amount of time it takes to fall asleep once someone is in bed with the lights off
Sleep Duration: how long a person is asleep before they wake
Case Example: You see a 3 year old, male, client that in your clinic. You notice he is not producing understandable language, does not seem to make eye contact, and enjoys saying the same echoics repeatedly. The client enjoys lining cars up rather than racing them around. What might you recommend the client look into for a diagnosis? As an OT knowing there is a high chance of this diagnosis being present what might you want to access?
ASD could be a potential diagnosis for this child. As the OT you could further look at the child's sensory preferences, gross and fine motor abilities, and play skills since these are all common areas for difference in children with ASD.
Case Example: You are seeing a 15 year old female client in your clinic. You notice they cover their ears when there is a loud noice, can not seem to focus when there are other people in the room talking, and does not like any time of spice or seasoning on their food at lunch. What type of response does this client have to auditory and taste stimuli?
Low sensory threshold- Hypersensitive
Describe the type of sensory preferences a child with ASD might have that based on this study is more likely to benefit from pressure garments.
A child that is hyposensitive to sensory input and tend to miss cues in his/her environment would most likely benefit from pressure garments because of the increased physical input during a task.
Case Example: A 5 year old, female client with ASD comes to your clinic, her family reports feeling stressed, tired, and overwhelmed because she has a hard time falling asleep and wakes almost every 2 hours throughout the night.
What are some of your first thoughts for interventions?
Establishing a consistent bedtime routine, modifying the environment, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and sensory specific interventions.