Abstract
Individuals with IDD often experience sensory modulation difficulties. This study aimed to identify the effects of sensory diets on adults with IDD at a day habilitation in Texas. All participants had difficulty with sensory modulation, as determined by the Adolescent–Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) and structured observations. Sensory diets were created and are currently being implemented. Results will be analyzed and presented using visual analysis.
Primary Author and Speaker: Catherine Gawlas
Contributing Authors: Meghan Blaskowitz
The purpose of this project is to improve the quality of services focused on the rehabilitation of sensory modulation difficulties provided to students diagnosed with IDD attending a Day Habilitation program in Texas. The following questions were posed: What is the effect of sensory diets on participation and attention in adults with IDD in a community setting?; What is the effect of sensory diets on self-stimulatory/self-injurious behaviors in adults with IDD in a community setting?
Individuals with IDD tend to have difficulty processing sensory stimuli, often combatted with sensory integration (SI) therapy (Schaaf, et. al, 2013). SI therapy has had positive effects on the functioning of children with IDD, but research is limited on SI and adults. However, there is no evidence to suggest that individuals experience a resolution of sensory modulation disorders as they age. Urwin & Ballinger (2005) conducted a research study to explore the efficacy of SI therapy on improving behavior of adults with ID. Structured observation of level of engagement in identified maladaptive behaviors was used to gather data. The study concluded that SI therapy led to a decrease in maladaptive behaviors as well as increased engagement among participants (Urwin & Ballinger, 2005).
A nonconcurrent multiple baseline AB design was selected, as single subject designs are the “method of choice” when evaluating participant progress (Urwin & Ballinger, 2005, p. 58). Convenience sampling was used to select participants of this study. Inclusion criteria included: being over 22 years old, being diagnosed with an intellectual disability (ID) or developmental disability (DD), and experiencing difficulty with sensory modulation. Exclusion criteria included: lack of sensory modulation dysfunction and being a current recipient of occupational therapy (OT) or SI therapy.
Descriptive characteristics were collected from all participants including age, gender, race, diagnosis, living spaces, and community involvement. The AASP and structured observation of engagement in maladaptive behaviors (self-stimulatory/self-injurious) were used to determine the level of sensory difficulties of all students. 4 participants were then chosen for the study, each of which are currently receiving sensory diets 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Following each sensory diet session, participants are observed for engagement in maladaptive behaviors over a 10-minute period. The impact of the program will be presented and analyzed using a visual analysis technique.
Preliminary analysis of descriptive statistics found that 53.8% of the students at the center are diagnosed with an ID. 7.69% had ASD, 23.1% had Down syndrome, 15.4% had traumatic brain injury, 15.4% had cerebral palsy, and 23.1% had a genetic disorder. 53.8% of students do not participate in community events or clubs and 100% of the students reside with a caregiver. 16 students were evaluated using the AASP. The average low registration score was 40.65, the sensation seeking score was 49.29, the sensory sensitivity average was 34.35 and the average sensation avoiding score was 34.12. These average scores suggest students at the center have more low sensory registration than most people. Sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity and sensation avoiding was similar to most people.
The results of this study will enhance the evidence of sensory diets for adults with IDD. Through sensory integration and sensory diets, adults with IDD can experience improved sensory modulation leading to increased social and community participation through the reduction of maladaptive behaviors.
Schaaf, R.C., Benevides, T., Mailloux, Z., Faller, P., Hunt, J., van Hooydonk, E., … Kelly, D. (2013). An intervention for sensory difficulties in children with autism: A randomized trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44, 1493-1506. DOI 10.1007/s10803-013-1983-8
Urwin, R., & Ballinger, C. (2005). The effectiveness of sensory integration therapy to improve functional behavior in adults with learning disabilities: Five single-case experimental designs. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(2), 56-66. https://doi.org/10.1177/030802260506800202