Deck 23: Is Sensory Integration Effective a Complicated Question to End the Book

Question 1

What was concluded following the systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) by Case-Smith et al. (2014)?

A)There were many more studies completed evaluating Ayres traditional Sensory Integration (ASI)intervention in comparison to other kinds of sensory-based interventions.
B)Studies examining sensory integration (SI)therapy indicated positive outcomes, whereas those testing sensory-based interventions found minimal effects.
C)Studies examining traditional ASI therapy indicated minimal effects, whereas the results of those testing other sensory-based interventions were overwhelmingly positive.
D)The studies reviewed were favorable in that consistent language was used to describe SI problems, interventions, and outcomes.

Answer 1

Studies examining sensory integration (SI)therapy indicated positive outcomes, whereas those testing sensory-based interventions found minimal effects.

Question 2

With one exception, all of the following present challenges or barriers to rigorously studying sensory integration (SI) and answering the question, "Does SI intervention work?" Which of the following is NOT a barrier?

A)Finding ways to detect central nervous system (CNS)change as a result of SI intervention
B)Funding; it is a relatively expensive and labor-intensive intervention
C)Identifying meaningful outcome measures when goals of therapy inherently vary across study participants
D)Ability to recruit subjects with SI problems because the condition is so rare

Answer 2

Ability to recruit subjects with SI problems because the condition is so rare

Question 3

Why have considerable resources been directed to finding links between behaviors associated with sensory processing and neural processes, or exploring ways to detect central nervous system (CNS) changes as a result of the Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) intervention?

A)The primary goal of ASI treatment and assumption that is being made is that children will develop skills, functions, and more desired behaviors as a result of enhanced neurological system functioning that will result from experiencing SI treatment.
B)The primary assumption of ASI treatment is that through practice and applying carefully controlled sensory input, new skills can be learned and overall development will be enhanced, despite a static CNS that performs inefficiently.
C)The idea of neuroplasticity has been questioned.
D)The primary goal of ASI treatment is to enhance occupational performance rather than to impact body functions such as the brain processes involved in sensory processing and integration.

Answer 3

The primary goal of ASI treatment and assumption that is being made is that children will develop skills, functions, and more desired behaviors as a result of enhanced neurological system functioning that will result from experiencing SI treatment.

Question 4

How have studies examining the effects of environmental enrichment with animals and humans assisted occupational therapy practitioners in the delivery of clinic-based sensory integration (SI) interventions?

A)They have shown the importance of being playful and child-directed.
B)They have shown the importance of well-equipped clinic spaces with affordances for providing a vast variety of sensory input in the context of treatment.
C)They have shown the importance of giving clear concise feedback and maintaining safety in the context of treatment.
D)They have highlighted the importance of keeping true to all of the intervention methods first developed and described by Ayres in the early 1960s.

Question 5

Which of the following components or characteristics of the Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) intervention gives meaning to the child and allows for strategic adaptations to therapeutic play activities during treatment?

A)The art of sensory integration (SI)intervention
B)The science of SI intervention
C)The observations made and shared during SI intervention
D)The specific pieces of therapy equipment used in intervention

Question 6

Artful sensory integration (SI) therapy ___________________.

A)Does not depend upon the nature of the relationship between the child and therapist
B)Does not necessarily have to apply the science of SI
C)Relies on therapist creativity and playfulness, as well as therapist knowledge of how to embed intervention within meaningful activity and occupation
D)Means the same thing as the science of SI, and refers primarily to applications of the research evidence related to neuroplasticity and brain processes involved in sensory processing

Question 7

Which of the following represents a distal outcome measure that might be considered in a study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of sensory integration (SI) intervention?

A)Manual muscle testing and range of motion testing
B)Motor planning skills as measured by a test involving imitation of postures
C)A test of tolerance and ratings of behavioral responses to tactile stimuli
D)A measure of independence with bathing and dressing

Question 8

Which of the following is TRUE regarding complementary sensory-based approaches that focus on a single sensory system?

A)They tend to be effective for only addressing one well-defined, specific occupational performance problem or functional skill.
B)They tend to rely on very structured protocols that are difficult to customize for individual children.
C)Outcomes rarely address proximal skills such as improved postural control, or a decrease in sensory over-responsivity.
D)Most sensory-based approaches have been tested through several rigorous research studies and there is ample evidence of their effectiveness for certain outcomes.