Sensory Integration Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Lang, R., O'Reilly, M., et al. (2012).
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6(3), 1004-1018.
This systematic review investigates the effects of sensory integration therapy (e.g., weighted vests, swinnging, brushing, joint compression) on behaviors (e.g., sterotypy, communication, social skills), quality of life, environmental access, and/or academics in individuals on the autism spectrum.
Not stated
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Peer-reviewed, English-language studies (not further specified)
25
"The results of 14 [out of the 25] studies (56%), [four of which reported the effects of sensory integration therapy [SIT] on communication and language skills], were classified as negative because no benefit to any participant on any dependent measure was found" (p. 1015). "The results of this systematic review were that SIT had no consistently positive effect as a treatment .... In conclusion, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of SIT as a therapy" (p. 1017) for children on the autism spectrum.
