Sensory Integration Education

Each month we take a look at the latest Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing research and findings.

Neurodiversity in the Healthcare Profession 

This new paper discusses neurodiversity in healthcare professionals and highlights the importance of supporting neurodivergent staff members in the workplace.

Clinical Correlates and Prevalence of Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This recent study investigated food selectivity in autistic children aged 2-10 years. The researchers did not find an impact on nutritional intake for participants in this particular study. However, food selectivity did contribute to more disruptive mealtimes and behavioural challenges were observed. This highlights the importance of understanding autistic individuals' good choices in order to better support their needs.

Harnessing Real-life Experiences: The Development of Guidelines to Communicate Research Findings on Developmental Coordination Disorder/Dyspraxia

This new paper discusses the importance of co-production with the public and harnessing the experience of individuals with DCD/Dyspraxia when researching this topic. This paper includes recommendations that researchers should follow to achieve this.

Oculomotor Differences in Adults With and Without Probable Developmental Coordination Disorder

This recent study investigated oculomotor control in adults with and without DCD. Participants with DCD demonstrated difficulties in maintaining engagement and had lower pursuit gain in the faster pursuit task compared to participants without DCD, suggesting that adults with DCD had more difficulty maintaining attention on a visual target.

Exploring the Relationship Between Sensory Integration and Handwriting in Elementary Students

This recent cross-sectional study investigated the association between sensory processing difficulties and challenges with handwriting in children in the 3rd and 4th grades. The researchers found a strong correlation between difficulties with praxis, tactile perception and 2 areas of motor function (as measured through the EASI assessment) and handwriting.

The Relationship Between Pain and Interoception: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This new systematic review which included 28 studies investigated the relationship between pain and interoception. The researchers found that individuals with chronic pain presented with altered interoceptive accuracy compared to research participants without chronic pain.

Sensorimotor and Proprioceptive Exercise Programs to Improve Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

This recent review investigated the impact of proprioceptive and sensorimotor exercises on adults aged 55 years and older. The researchers found that engaging in these types of exercises significantly improved balance and contributed to a reduction in falls.

Sensory Processing Sensitivity as a Predictor of Health-related Quality of Life Outcomes via Stress and Sleep Quality

This new study investigated the association between sensory processing sensitivity ( a trait that causes extreme sensitivity to environmental and external stimuli), stress, sleep and health-related quality of life. The researchers found that individuals with high levels of sensory processing sensitivity presented with worse sleep quality and increased stress levels.

Parental Descriptions of Sensory Processing in Autism

This new qualitative study explored sensory processing challenges of autistic individuals aged 4-34 years as reported by their parents or caregivers. One of the key themes that emerged was the impact of sensory modulation difficulties on participation, a difficulty that caregivers stated was exacerbated by the physical environment. Caregivers highlighted the need for better urban planning to better meet the sensory needs of autistic individuals.

The Association Between Interoception and Olfactory Affective Responses

This new research investigated the association between interoception and emotional responses to odours. Based on findings from 2 studies, the authors concluded that there is a positive association between an individual’s self-reported interoceptive ability and their olfactory affective response.

Navigation Abilities and Spatial Anxiety in Individuals With and Without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia)

This recent study investigated navigational abilities in adults with and without DCD. The researchers found a positive association between higher levels of motor coordination challenges and greater difficulty navigating and orientating themselves in a new environment and estimating distance.

Interoception, Emotion Regulation Strategies and Skin-picking Behaviors – Results of an Intensive Longitudinal Study

This new study looked at the link between interoception, emotion regulation and skin-picking behaviours. The researchers found that lower interoceptive awareness was related to a higher likelihood of skin-picking for participants in this study.

Does Emotion Regulation Mediate the Relationship Between Interoception/Alexithymia and Co-morbid Depression/Anxiety? Evidence from Two Independent Samples

This new study investigated associations between emotional regulation, interoception, alexithymia and depressive disorders. The researchers found that the association between internal awareness (interoception and alexithymia) and depression was mediated (indirectly affected) by emotion dysregulation.