Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 1 of 1
The effectiveness of sensory integration therapy to improve functional behaviour in adults with learning disabilities: five single-case experimental designs
- Authors:
- URWIN Rosalind, BALLINGER Claire
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(2), February 2005, pp.56-66.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Describes a research project using a single-case experimental design (A-B-A) aiming to explore the impact of sensory integration therapy (SIT) on level of engagement and maladaptive behaviour (measured through timed scores) and function (using Goal Attainment Scaling, GAS) for 5 learning disabled adults with tactile sensory modulation disorder. Each phase lasted 4 weeks and consisted of 24 measurements. Individually tailored SIT was given twice weekly for 4 weeks during the intervention phase (B), immediately prior to each individual's participation in his or her prescribed horticulture task. The changes between phases in engagement, maladaptive behaviours and function scores, measured as the difference between baselines and intervention, were analysed visually and statistically for each participant. The intervention produced significant improvements in engagement for participant 4, with a highly significant deterioration in scores for all 5 on withdrawal of SIT. All participants' maladaptive behaviour decreased significantly on the introduction of SIT. Although there was no significant change to GAS scores for 4 participants, participant 4's score improved significantly with SIT, whose withdrawal resulted in highly significant deterioration in GAS scores for participants 1, 2, 4 and 5. This study may be the first to suggest that SIT is effective in improving functional performance in adults with a learning disability with a tactile sensory modulation disorder.