Evaluate and Intervene in Sensory Processing Disorders by Occupational Therapists in Early Intervention Teams of the North of Portugal
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2021.09.06.1Keywords:
Early Intervention, Natural Environments, Occupational Therapy, Sensory Processing, Sensory Processing DysfunctionsAbstract
Background: The National Early Childhood Intervention System of Portugal is an organized set of services under the responsibility of the Ministries of Health, Labor, and Social Security and Education aimed to support children between 0 and 6 years old and their families, and its mission is to ensure Early Childhood Intervention. At present, there is no research to support the extent of the use of sensory interventions in early intervention teams of Portugal.
Aims: This study aims to analyze and understand the role of occupational therapists who support children with Sensory Processing Dysfunction and their families in local Early Intervention Teams.
Methods: A qualitative and descriptive research was developed using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were conducted with ten occupational therapists who have worked in Early Intervention Teams in the North of Portugal for at least one year.
Results: Modulation and Praxis were the categories of Sensory Processing Dysfunction most identified. Families consider that Sensory Processing Dysfunctions interfere with children's performance in activities of daily living and playing. Early childhood educators report that Sensory Processing Dysfunctions influence the child's participation in food, playing, and in more structured and directed activities. To transfer skills, occupational therapists organize training for professionals, families, and early childhood educators.
Conclusion: The importance of collaborative work between professionals and the child's family is evident, and the support they provide in the natural environment and daily routines.
References
Bundy A, Lane SJ. Sensory Integration: Theory and Practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis Company; 2020.
Mattos JC, D’Antino MEF, Cysneiros RM. Evidências de confiabilidade e validade do instrumento de avaliação sensorial Sensory Profile: Um estudo preliminar [Evidence of reliability and validity of the sensory profile assessment instrument: A preliminary study]. Psicologia: Teoria e Prática 2019; 21(2): 75-98. https://doi.org/10.5935/1980-6906/psicologia.v21n2p99-121
Miller LJ, Anzalone ME, Lane SJ, Cermak SA, Osten ET. Concept evolution in sensory integration: a proposed nosology for diagnosis. Am J Occup Ther 2007; 61(2): 135-40. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.61.2.135
El Shemy SA, Mohamed NE. Effect of sensory integration on motor performance and balance in children with developmental coordination disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Int J Ther Rehabil Res 2017; 6(1): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.5455/ijtrr.000000213
Cabrera SJ, Ayuso DR, Gil GR, Juárez JM. Assessment of sensory processing characteristics in children between 3 and 11 years old: A systematic review. Front Pediatr 2017; 5: 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2017.00057
República Dd. Decreee Law nº 281 Cria o Sistema Nacional de Intervenção Precoce na Infância. In: I S, editor. Diário da República 2009, n.º 172/1999, Série I-A de 1999-07-26, páginas 4680 – 4681.
Kuhaneck HM, Watling R. Occupational therapy: Meeting the needs of families of people with autism spectrum disorder. Am J Occup Ther 2015; 69(5): 6905170010p1-5. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2015.019562
Ashburner J, Rodger S, Ziviani J, Jones J. Occupational therapy services for people with autism spectrum disorders: Current state of play, use of evidence and future learning priorities. Aust Occup Ther J 2014; 61(2): 110-20. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440-1630.12083
Ayres AJ. Sensory integration and the child: Understanding hidden sensory challenges. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services; 2005.
Kilroy E, Aziz-Zadeh L, Cermak S. Ayres theories of autism and sensory integration revisited: What contemporary neuroscience has to say. Brain Sci 2019; 9(3): 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9030068
Bowyer P, Moore CC, Tiongco CG, Tkach MM, Thom C. Perspectives of occupational therapists on the challenges of early intervention practice: A pilot study. J Occup Ther Sch Early Interv 2017; 10(1): 18-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2016.1257966
Gibbs V, Toth-Cohen S. Family-centered occupational therapy and telerehabilitation for children with autism spectrum disorder. Occup Ther Health Care 2011(4): 298-314. https://doi.org/10.3109/07380577.2011.606460
Segal R. Family routines and rituals: A context for occupational therapy interventions. Am J Occup Ther 2004; 58: 499-508. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.58.5.499
Raver SA, Childress DC. Family-centered early intervention: Supporting infants and toddlers in natural environments. Baltimore: Paul H. Brooks Publishing; 2015.
Minard C. The underutilization of occupational therapy in transdisciplinary early intervention services. J Occup Ther Sch Early Interv 2018; 11(1): 15-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2017.1408441
DEC. Division for Early Childhood recommended practices in early intervention/early childhood special education 2014. Available at: https://www.dec-sped.org/dec-recommended-practices
Bardin L. Análise de conteúdo [Content analysis]. 2nd ed: Edições 2015; 70: ISBN: 9789724415062.
Lincoln SY, Guba EG. Naturalistic inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 1985. https://doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8
Lane SJ, Mailloux Z, Schoen S, Bundy A, May-Benson TA, Parham LD, et al. Neural foundations of Ayres Sensory Integration. Brain Sci 2019; 9(7):153. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci9070153
Parham LD, Mailloux Z. Sensory integration. In: Case-Smith J, Ed. Occupational therapy for children: Volve; 1995; pp. 329-81.
Dunn W. Supporting children to participate successfully in everyday life by using sensory processing knowledge. Infants Young Child 2007; 20(2): 84-101. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.IYC.0000264477.05076.5d
James K, Millera LJ, Schaaf R, Nielsene DM, Schoen SA. Phenotypes within sensory modulation dysfunction. Compr Psychiatry 2011; 52: 715-24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2010.11.010
Schaaf RC, Miller LJ, Seawell D, O'Keefe S. Children with disturbances in sensory processing: A pilot study examining the role of the parasympathetic nervous system. Am J Occup Ther 2003; 57(4): 442-9. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.57.4.442
Spies R, Van Rensburg E. The experiences of parents with tactile defensive children. S Afr J Occup Ther 2012; 42(3): 7-11.
Pérez-Fonseca RA, Burguillos-Torres GE, Castillo-Velásquez VG, Moreno-Zuleta N, Fonseca-Angulo RI, Blumtritt C, et al. Sensory profile in children with autism disorder and children with typical development. Rev Mex Neurociencia 2019; 20(5): 229-36. https://doi.org/10.24875/RMN.M19000019
Reis HS, Gomes MD, Dixe MdA. Semantic, conceptual, experiential, and idiomatic equivalence of sensory processing measure for preschoolers. Siglo Cero 2019; 50(4): 61-73. https://doi.org/10.14201/scero20195046173
APA. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). 5th ed. Washington, USA: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. Available at: https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm
Hubbard KL, Anderson SE, Curtin C, Must A, Bandini LG. A comparison of food refusal related to characteristics of food in children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children. J Acad Nutr Diet 2014; 114: 1981-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2014.04.017
Postorino V, Sanges V, Giovagnoli G, Fatta LM, De Peppo L, Armando M, et al. Clinical differences in children with autism spectrum disorder with and without food selectivity. Appetite 2015; 92: 126-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2015.05.016
Rocha GS, Júnior FC, Lima ND, Silva MV, Machado A, Pereira IC, et al. Análise da seletividade alimentar de pessoas com transtorno do espectro autista [Analysis of food selectivity in people with autism spectrum disorder]. Revista Eletrônica Acervo Saúde 2019; 24: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.25248/reas.e538.2019
Angel MA. Selective eaters and tactile sensitivity: A review of classification and treatment methods that address anxiety and support a child's need for a sense of control. ICAN: Infant, Child, & Adolescent Nutrition 2010; 2(5): 299-303. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941406410382904
Ben-Sasson A, Cermak SA, Orsmond GI, Tager-Flusberg H, Carter AS, Kadlec MB, et al. Extreme sensory modulation behaviors in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders. Am J Occup Ther 2007; 61(5): 584-92. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.61.5.584
Chu VWT. Assessing proprioception in children: A review. J Mot Behav 2017; 49(4): 458-66. https://doi.org/10.1080/00222895.2016.1241744
May-Benson TA, Koomar JA. Systematic review of the research evidence examining the effectiveness of interventions using a sensory integrative approach for children. Am J Occup Ther 2010; 64(3): 403-14. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2010.09071
Cohn E, Miller LJ, Tickle-Degnen L. Parental hopes for therapy outcomes: Children with sensory modulation disorders. Am J Occup Ther 2000; 54(1): 36-43. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.54.1.36
Chien CW, Rodger S, Copley J, Branjerdporn G, Taggart C. Sensory processing and its relationship with children's daily life participation. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 2016; 36(1): 73-87. https://doi.org/10.3109/01942638.2015.1040573
Crozier SC, Goodson JZ, Mackay ML, Synnes AR, Grunau RE, Miller SP, et al. Sensory processing patterns in children born very preterm. Am J Occup Ther 2016; 70(1): 7001220050 p1-7. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2016.018747