Sensory Integration Education

Each month we take a look at the latest SI research and research of topical interest - this month, we have a focus on socialising, sensory differences and autism.

Characterizing Social Functioning in School-Age Children with Sensory Processing Abnormalities

This study investigated social functioning in individuals with sensory processing differences in comparison to neurotypical peers. The researchers found that children with sensory processing differences required more support from their parents or caregivers in play interactions and that increased sensory processing differences were associated with a higher incidence of difficulties with reciprocal social behaviour and social skills.

The Relationship Between Attention, Sensory Processing, and Social Responsiveness Among Adults on the Autism Spectrum

This recent study investigated the association between attention, sensory processing and social responsiveness in autistic adults. The researchers found a significant relationship between the low registration and sensation-seeking Adult and Adolescent Sensory Profile (AASP) quadrants and social responsiveness for participants in the study.

The Sensory Processing Measure – Second Edition: A Critical Review and Appraisal

This new paper provides an overview and critique of the Sensory Processing Measure Assessment - 2nd Edition (SPM-2). The authors found that the SPM-2 assessment demonstrated good evidence of internal consistency and test-retest reliability, which is useful for therapists looking to measure changes after therapy.

How Processing of Sensory Information From the Internal and External Worlds Shape the Perception and Engagement With the World in the Aftermath of Trauma: Implications for PTSD

This study reviewed neural alterations that may underlie how sensations are experienced among traumatised individuals with PTSD. The findings from this study indicate that changes in the processing of affective bodily sensations among individuals with PTSD may have negative effects on how sensory stimuli from the external world are registered and processed in key cortical structures involved in sensory processing.

Prenatal Predictors of Maternal-infant Attachment

This study investigated prenatal predictors of maternal-infant attachment which included sensory processing patterns and differences. A key finding from the study was that sensory avoidance emerged as a predictor of the maternal-infant bond. These findings indicated that women who were likely to notice sensory information and react by avoiding or withdrawing from the stimuli in their environment i.e. noise, may be more likely to exhibit more impatience towards their baby and to interpret their baby's behaviour including crying negatively.

Improving the Sensory Environments of Mental Health in-patient Facilities for Autistic Children and Young People

This study investigated the environments and sensory-related aspects of it in mental health in-patient Facilities for Autistic Children and Young People. The researchers found that there are simple changes that can be made in this type of environment that can reduce the sensory load, and support autistic children and young people to self-regulate. Further these changes are likely to make the space more comfortable and accessible for all.

The Impact of Traumatic Childhood Experiences on Interoception: Disregarding One’s Own Body

This study investigated interoceptive processes and associations with traumatic childhood experiences and emotion dysregulation in individuals exposed to varying levels of traumatic childhood experiences. The researchers found a higher rate of body dissociation in all three groups included in the study which impacted participants' ability to process information from bodily signals.

Timing of Early-Life Stress and the Development of Brain-Related Capacities

This study investigated the association between Early Life Stress (ELS) occurring during the first 2 months of life and a variety of brain-related, clinician-rated functions including self-regulation and relational capacities. The researchers found that infants in the study who were exposed to ELS presented with difficulties with self-regulation and higher levels of sensory processing differences that impacted on participation in daily life.

The Relationship Between School-Age Children’s Self-Reported Perceptions of Their Interoceptive Awareness and Emotional Regulation: An Exploratory Study

This recent study investigated the association between school-age children’s self-reported interoceptive awareness, emotional regulation, and academic self-regulation. It was found that there was a significant correlation between IA and children who participated in the study’s autonomous motivation linked with their engagement in learning activities.

An Innovative Approach to Working with Children Who Have Experienced Developmental Trauma: An Introduction to the Building Underdeveloped Sensorimotor Systems (Buss®) Model

This recent study investigated the use of the BUSS® (Building Underdeveloped Sensorimotor Systems) Model as an intervention for children who have experienced developmental trauma. The BUSS Model offers a framework to support children who have survived developmental trauma to re-build their sensory systems. It was found that the BUSS Model can be an inclusive and accessible intervention to support young children who have been adopted or fostered or have experienced other developmental trauma.

The Relationship Between Sensory Processing and Attachment Patterns: A Scoping Review

This review investigated the relationships between sensory processing differences and attachment patterns across the life span. The researchers found a correlation between more extreme patterns of sensory modulation (e.g., higher sensory sensitivity) and attachment insecurity in adults.

Emotions and Sensory Processing in Adolescents: The Effect of Childhood Traumatic Experiences

This study investigated the impact of childhood trauma on adolescents' sensory processing. The researchers found that children who were exposed to traumatic events as children had a significantly higher rate of sensory processing differences in the areas of taste/smell, vision, auditory, tactile that impact on their participation in daily activities.

Fundamental Behavioral and Neurophysiologic Relationships Between Sensory Processing, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Autistic Traits in Children: A Hybrid Approach

This new study investigated the relationships between sensory processing, intolerance of uncertainty (IU), autistic traits and associated resting state brain connectivity in autistic children compared to neurotypical peers. The researchers found a significant correlation between IU and subtests scores related to auditory, visual, and somatosensory processing as measured on the Short Sensory Profile that impact on participation in autistic study participants.

Sensory Processing Preferences in an Adult Acute Mental Health Setting: A Retrospective Study

This new retrospective study investigated sensory processing in patients admitted with depression and substance use disorder diagnoses. The researchers found significant differences in the sensory processing patterns of diagnostic groups admitted to an acute mental health ward, with individuals with depression presenting with higher scores on sensory sensitivity, sensation avoiding, and low registration on the adult/adolescent sensory profile.

Individual Differences in Multisensory Attention Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Predict Language and Symptom Severity: Evidence from the Multisensory Attention Assessment Protocol (MAAP)

This study investigated the role of competing stimulation on attention, and relations with language and symptomatology in autistic children. The researchers found that individual differences in multisensory attention skills in autistic children predict their cognitive and language functioning as well as symptom severity.

Infants’ Interoception Is Associated with Eye Contact in Dyadic Social Interactions

This recent study investigated the relationship between interoception and social behaviour in infants and mothers through measuring the heartbeats of mothers and infants and social interaction/eye gaze. It was found that the infants with higher levels of interoception received more smiles from their mothers and made more eye contact with their mothers during the social interactions in the study.

The Relationship Between Sensory Experiences and Social Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This recent study investigated the connection between sensory experiences and social functioning among 142 autistic children aged 4 –10 years in Iran. Parents were asked to complete a Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire-Revised Persian Version (ASSQ-RPV). The researchers found that lower levels of functioning, as measured by the ASSQ-RPV, significantly correlated with lower total scores on the SSP, indicating that atypical sensory experiences were associated with behavioural difficulties that impacted on social functioning.