Effectiveness of Sensory Integration Versus Behavioral Intervention Techniques On Sleep Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Scoping Review
Main Article Content
Abstract
Aim: To compare the effectiveness of the sensory integration (SI) approach and behavioral approaches on the quality of sleep among children with ASD.
Materials & Methods: To identify the SI/processing, we searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane up to 2023 for children with ASD who received the intervention and reported sleep results. We included RCTs, cohorts, and case controls. The different elements of the studies were identified as follows: the author and year of publication, the study design, the number of participants, the characteristics of the implemented intervention, and the results concerning sleep.
Results: It can be concluded that increasing sleep is possible with both SI and behavioral interventions, each affecting sleep in its own way. These interventions actively regulate over-aroused states or sensitivities to increase sleep time or quality. Concurrent interventions for a disorder share aspect that provide additional benefits, implying that disorders have both sensory and behavioral components.
Conclusions: Non-pharmacological interventions that align with children’s sensory and behavioral characteristics are most helpful for managing ASD sleep. Occupational therapists (OT), behavioral therapists (BT), and sleep specialists should be involved. An RCT study based on the comparison of various interventions should be conducted. Parental involvement is essential.
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