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 autism, sensory sensitivities and sensory processing differences.

Prolonged Neural Encoding of Visual Information in Autism

This new study investigated the neural dynamics underlying visual-attentional dysfunctions in autistic children. Through assessing how incoming visual input are encoded at the neural level in autistic children, the researchers found that in both the cue- and target-locked time windows in the assessment, hyper-focused attention may have been linked at the neural level to an overrepresentation of stimulus information.

Back to Basics: Practical Strategies to Reduce Sensory Overstimulation in the Emergency Department Identified by Adults and Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This new qualitative study investigated paediatric and adult autistic patients’ perspectives on reducing sensory stimulation during an Accident and Emergency (A&E) visit. Respondents indicated that being placed in a separate, quiet, minimally decorated clutter-free location away from noise, odours and other people as much as possible, would make a significant contribution towards making A&E more sensory friendly.

Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Reactivity to Daily Events

This study investigated how sensory processing differences impact on reactions to daily life events. The researchers found that individuals who presented with sensory sensitivity showed substantially stronger reactivity to more intense naturally occurring negative events but this phenomenon did not occur for positive events.

Co-designing a Neurodivergent Student-led Peer Support Programme for Neurodivergent Young People in Mainstream High Schools

This recent study identified key elements of a neurodivergent student-led peer support programme via a co-design process. While there are many benefits of such a group, the students also highlighted concerns and considerations for setting up a peer support group. A must-read for anyone who is involved in setting up a peer support group.

Visual and Kinesthetic Motor Imagery in Adults with Different Degrees of Self-reported Motor Coordination Difficulties

This new study investigated self-reported visual and kinaesthetic motor imagery and motor difficulties in adults with DCD. The main findings by the researchers were that more kinaesthetic and visual imagery difficulties in participants at risk of DCD, and that there was no evidence in this study to suggest a relationship between difficulties with motor imagery and handwriting speed.

The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Sensory Processing and Connected Motor Planning and Skills: A Scoping Review

This new scoping review investigated the impact of childhood trauma on sensory processing and motor skills. The researchers found some emerging evidence to suggest that this population have specific problems with motor skills, in addition to modulation difficulties which have been most commonly studied in this population. They recommended that further research be done to investigate the motor planning and motor skills of individuals exposed to childhood trauma.

Age-related Changes in Neural Responses to Sensory Stimulation in Autism: A Cross-sectional Study

This recent study investigated age-related changes in sensory processing and differences in responses to sensory stimuli in autistic individuals. The main finding was that neural hyperactivity in response to sensory signals in autistic young people improves with age.

Autistic Traits, Emotion Regulation, and Sensory Sensitivities in Children and Adults with Misophonia

This study investigated autistic traits, emotion regulation and sensory sensitivities in 142 children and 379 adults with misophonia which is a disorder of decreased tolerance to specific sounds or stimuli associated with such sounds. The researchers found that individuals with misophonia presented with higher levels of sensory over-responsivity and emotion regulation difficulties.

Correlation and Predictive Ability of Sensory Characteristics and Social Interaction in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This recent study investigated sensory processing in autistic children and the association between sensory processing differences and differences in social behaviour. The researchers found that participants with higher levels of sensory over-responsivity (those more sensitive to sensory input) had more difficulties with social interaction.

An Investigation of the Association between School-Aged Children’s Sensory Processing and Their Self-Reported Leisure Activity Participation and Preferences

This study investigated children aged 7-12 years' leisure activity participation and preferences based on their sensory processing and sensory preferences. The researchers found that participants with increased levels of sensory processing differences and challenges participated less frequently in informal, self-improvement and social activities.

Balance Functions and Primitive Reflexes in Dyslexic Children

This study investigated balance functions and primitive reflexes in dyslexic children. The researchers found that dyslexic participants showed significant postural instability compared to a control group during balancing on one leg in both eye opened and eye closed conditions.

From “One Big Clumsy Mess" to “a Fundamental Part of My Character": Autistic Adults' Experiences of Motor Coordination

This recent qualitative study investigated the experience of motor coordination difficulties from the viewpoint of 17 autistic adults. An association between sensory processing differences and motor coordination difficulties was found, with participants indicating that ‘when they experienced sensory overload, it became more difficult to concentrate and perform movement.’

The Contribution of Atypical Sensory Processing to Executive Dysfunctions, Anxiety and Quality of Life of Children with ADHD

This recent study investigated dysregulation in children with ADHD. The researcher found that sensory processing differences impact on execution function and anxiety in children with ADHD and as a result influence their quality of life.