A systematic review of ayres sensory integration intervention for children with autism.
Sarah A Schoen, Shelly J Lane, Zoe Mailloux and 4 others
PMID 30548827WHAT IT FOUND
Ayres Sensory Integration delivered by occupational therapists met special education evidence criteria for children with autism, IQ above 65, ages 4 to 12.
The positive studies used individualized, play-based ASI with fidelity checks, not isolated sensory protocols.
Key findings
01After strict screening, only three studies met the review's definition of ASI and acceptable design.
02The two randomized trials reported positive outcomes for ASI on individualized goals and functional measures.
03The review's authors concluded that ASI met CEC criteria for evidence-based practice for children with ASD and IQ above 65.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only three studies remained after the review applied a strict definition of ASI and study design. The two randomized trials collectively had 69 participants. One included study was nonrandomized, did not report fidelity checks, and had an average calculated effect size of 0.23, below the 0.25 cutoff. Pfeiffer et al. had positive outcomes, but its average effect size was 0.21, below the 0.25 cutoff. The review's conclusion applies only to children with ASD and IQ above 65. The authors were seven occupational therapy researchers with advanced expertise in ASI, and they did not rate studies in which they were investigators, authors, or consultants. Intervention dosage varied across studies, from once weekly for nine months to three times weekly for six weeks or ten weeks.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as support for weighted vests, brushing, or spinning protocols. The review excluded sensory-based interventions that did not follow ASI principles and applied only to children with autism and IQ above 65.