Comprehensive Sensory Integration in Corrective Work with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using the Senspace Method
Keywords:
Autism Spectrum Disorders, Children, Community-Based, Health Technology, Sensory Integration
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Senspace comprehensive sensory integration method as a community-applied intervention, utilizing standardized health technology tools for assessment
Methodology: The research employed a quasi-experimental design in a community rehabilitation setting involving 50 children with ASD aged 4-7 years. The experimental group (n=25) received the 10-week Senspace program. Standardized health technology instruments (Sensory Profile, Vineland-3) and observational scales were used for evaluation.
Main Findings: Statistically significant improvements were observed across all evaluated indicators within the experimental group. Notable reductions in sensory hypersensitivity were recorded: tactile sensitivity decreased by 16.5%, vestibular sensitivity by 19.1%, and proprioceptive processing by 19.7%. Indicators of social-communicative skills exhibited marked improvement: contact initiation increased by 83.3%, and joint attention improved by 84.6%. The overall adaptive score on the Vineland-3 demonstrated a rise of 13.4%. Correlation analysis revealed strong links between the alleviation of sensory disorders and advancements in adaptive functioning (r ranging from -0.745 to -0.668, p<.001).
Novelty/Originality of this study: The scientific novelty of this work resides in the formulation and empirical validation of a therapeutic intervention program that combined structured play practices with elements of behavioral therapy, specifically designed to cultivate communicative and cognitive functions.
References
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2. L. Wing & J. Gould, «Severe impairments of social interaction and associated abnormalities in children: Epidemiology and classification», J Aut Dev Dis, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 11–29, Mar 1979, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531288
3. M. Shrestha, S. Basukala, N. Thapa, O. Shrestha, M. Basnet, K. Shrestha ... & B. Kunwor, «Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children in Southeast Asia from 2002 to 2022: An updated systematic review and meta‐analysis», Health Sci Rep, vol. 7, no. 4, art. no. e2005, Mar 2024, https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.2005
4. K. A. Shaw, «Prevalence and early identification of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 4 and 8 years—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 16 Sites, United States, 2022», Surveillance Summaries, vol. 74, no. 2, pp. 1-22, Apr. 2025, http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss7402a1
5. M. Hryntsiv, M. Zamishchak, Y. Bondarenko, H. Suprun & A. Dushka, «Approaches to speech therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD)», Int J, vol. 14, no. 1, art. no. 33, Jan. 2025, https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-4247.2025.14.01.05
6. P. Duan, L. Zhang & K. Chen, «Spectral brain graph neural network for prediction of anxiety in children with autism spectrum disorder», 2024 IEEE International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging (ISBI), IEEE, pp. 1-5, May 2024, https://doi.org/10.1109/ISBI56570.2024.10635753
7. I. M. Collins, F. Halter, L. T. Schächinger Tenés, R. Lieb & A. H. Meyer, «A meta-analysis of applied behavior analysis-based interventions to improve communication, adaptive, and cognitive skills in children on the autism spectrum», Rev J Aut Dev Dis, pp. 1-21, May 2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-025-00506-0
8. F. van den Boogert, B. Sizoo, Y. H. Bouman, W. J. Hoogendijk & S. J. Roza, «Sensory processing and alcohol use in adults with autism spectrum disorder», Alcohol, vol. 114, pp. 25-30, Feb. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.alcohol.2023.08.005
9. Y. Chen, Z. Xi, R. Saunders, D. Simmons, V. Totsika & W. Mandy, «A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between sensory processing differences and internalising/externalising problems in autism», Clin Psych Rev, vol. 114, art. no. 102516, Dec. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102516
10. C. Acuña, S. Gallegos-Berrios, J. Barfoot, P. Meredith & J. Hill, «Ayres sensory integration with children ages 0 to 12: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials», The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, vol. 79, no. 3, art. no. 7903205180, Apr. 2025, https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2025.051023
11. G. Mishra, D. P. Mishra, «Occupational therapy for autistic children», In: M. Goyal, K. Goyal, Eds., Rehabilitation Approach in Autism, Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4162-8_6
12. C. De Domenico, M. Di Cara, A. Piccolo, C. Settimo, S. Leonardi, G. Giuffrè ... & F. Cucinotta, «Exploring the usefulness of a multi-sensory environment on sensory behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder», J Clin Med, vol. 13, no. 14, art. no. 4162, Jul. 2024, https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13144162
13. J. Stephenson & M. Carter, «The use of multisensory environments with individuals with developmental disabilities: A systematic review», J Dev Phys Dis, pp. 1-27, Jul. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-024-09982-4
14. C. Failla, P. Chilà, N. Vetrano, G. Doria, I. Scarcella, R. Minutoli ... & G. Pioggia, «Virtual reality for autism: Unlocking learning and growth», Front Psych, vol. 15, art. no. 1417717, Dec. 2024, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1417717
15. M. E. Minissi, A. Altozano, J. Marín-Morales, I. A. C. Giglioli, F. Mantovani & M. Alcañiz, «Biosignal comparison for autism assessment using machine learning models and virtual reality», Comp Bio Med, vol. 171, art. no. 108194, Mar 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108194
16. H. Staunton, T. McIver, J. Tillmann, S. Clinch, V. Hanrahan, B. Ewens ... & L. Barrett, «Development of a goal attainment scale (GAS) outcome measure for clinical interventional studies in paediatric autism», Autism, vol. 29, no. 12, art. no. 13623613251349904, June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613251349904
17. C. López Díaz & E. I. Parra-Esquivel, «Descriptive study on the perception of parents about the use of the Goal Attainment Scaling scale as a measure in the achievement of occupational therapy goals based on sensory integration», Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, vol. 32, art. no. e3707, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctoER285237072
18. M. Alhwaiti, «Sensory profile of children with low-functioning autism and the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with proximal senses: Results from a randomized cluster trial», Int J Dev Dis, pp. 1-8, Apr. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2025.2548528
19. V. P. Mohanakumar Sindhu, A. Brignell, M. Moses, K. Kallady, M. A. Bellgrove & B. P. Johnson, «Evaluating the CELF‐5 screening test and vineland‐3 for identifying language difficulties in autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder», Aut Res, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 857-869, Mar. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.70021
20. CIOMS, «International Ethical Guidelines for Health-related Research Involving Humans», Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences, 2016. Available from: https://cioms.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/WEB-CIOMS-EthicalGuidelines.pdf
21. S. C. Bayoumi, A. Halkett, M. Miller & S. P. Hinshaw, «Food selectivity and eating difficulties in adults with autism and/or ADHD», Autism, vol. 29, no. 6, pp. 1497-1509, Feb. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613251314223
22. B. M. Williams & J. Daly-Lynn, «A qualitative exploration of the therapeutic characteristics of the art of therapy: Perspectives on Ayres Sensory Integration», PLoS One, vol. 20, no. 5, art. no. e0322433, May 2025, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322433
23. S. Iwasaki, Y. Yoshimura, C. Hasegawa, S. Tanaka, T. Ikeda, K. Yaoi ... & M. Kikuchi, «Sleep problems and sensory features in children with low-average cognitive abilities and autism spectrum disorder», Sci Rep, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 1-9, Jul. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08581-3
24. C. Mallory & B. Keehn, «Implications of sensory processing and attentional differences associated with autism in academic settings: An integrative review», Front Psych, vol. 12, art. no. 695825, Aug. 2021, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.695825
25. D. Yoon & E. Y. Kim, «Sensory processing and autistic traits: Mediation effect of frontal alpha asymmetry», Occupational Therapy International, 5065120, Jan. 2023, https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5065120
26. O. Kahraman, H. S. Dogan, A. Asci, T. Asi, H. B. Haberal & S. Tekgul, «Factors associated with the stone‐free status after retrograde intrarenal surgery in children», Int J Clin Pract, vol. 75, no. 10, art. no. e14667, Jul. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14667
27. L. Wen & Z. Wu, «The impact of sensory integration based sports training on motor and social skill development in children with autism spectrum disorder», Sci Rep, vol. 15, no. 1, art. no. 19974, June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-05393-3
28. H. M. Alotaibi, A. Alduais, F. Qasem & M. Alasmari, «Sensory processing measure and sensory integration theory: A scientometric and narrative synthesis», Behav Sci, vol. 15, no. 3, art. no. 395, Mar 2025, https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030395
29. Y. Morimoto, A. Imamura, N. Yamamoto, K. Nakanishi & Y. Takai, «Atypical sensory characteristics in autism spectrum disorders. In AM. Grabrucker, editor», Autism Spectrum Disorders (Chapter 5), Exon Publications, 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573615/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
30. H. Shi & M. Hirai, «Autistic traits linked to anxiety and dichotomous thinking: Sensory sensitivity and intolerance of uncertainty as mediators in non-clinical population», Sci Rep, vol. 14, no. 1, art. no. 23334, Oct. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73628-w
31. M. R. Rosales, C. D. Butera, R. B. Wilson, J. Zhou, E. Maus, H. Zhao ... & S. C. Dusing, «Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of motor intervention on cognition, communication, and social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorder», Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, pp. 1-23, May 2025, https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2025.2498357
32. J. C. de Carvalho Koehne & M. D. Forn, «Breaking the silence: The children with high-functioning autism perspective about their needs within», Based International Student Involvement: The Research-Tandem Model, vol. 17, art. no. 69, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02211842
Published
2025-12-25
How to Cite
Latysheva, K. (2025). Comprehensive Sensory Integration in Corrective Work with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Using the Senspace Method. Journal of Educational Technology and Learning Creativity, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.37251/jetlc.v3i2.2339
Section
Multidisciplinary
Copyright (c) 2025 Kateryna Latysheva
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