The effects of sensory motor therapy on the stereotypic movements of children with disorders on the autistic spectrum

Jodi Beth Luce, Pace University

Abstract

The effects of Sensory Motor Therapy on the manifestation of stereotypic behaviors in autistic preschoolers were examined. The study was conducted at two preschool special education programs for Children with autism, and examined pre and post measurements of stereotypic activities or behaviors both before and after a daily period of Sensory Motor Therapy given by an occupational therapist on school premises. Although the original proposal described the treatment as Sensory Integration Therapy, upon closer examination, variation in treatment warranted a change in the way the treatment was described. The treatment will therefore be described as Sensory Motor Therapy. There were two groups of twelve children each. One group received treatment, and the other group participated in a structured, non-treatment activity. Short-term and long-term effects of the Sensory Motor Therapy were also evaluated. In addition, subjects' profiles on various assessment measures prior to the treatment were examined to determine whether or not certain traits leave a child more amenable to treatment via Sensory Motor Therapy. The subjects were twenty-five autistic preschoolers ranging in age from approximately two years, eight months to five years of age. Results were evaluated through a comparison of treatment and control groups through T-tests, ANOVAs and correlational analyses.

Subject Area

Developmental psychology

Recommended Citation

Luce, Jodi Beth, "The effects of sensory motor therapy on the stereotypic movements of children with disorders on the autistic spectrum" (2003). ETD Collection for Pace University. AAI3086677.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/dissertations/AAI3086677

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