The effectiveness of sensory program on the behavior of pre-school children with autism spectrum disorder

The Effectiveness of Sensory Program on the Behavior of Pre-school Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder The aim of research work – to determine the effectiveness of sensory program on the behavior of pre-school children with autism spectrum disorders. Tasks of research work: 1. Evaluate sensory system changes in 3-6 year old children with autism spectrum disorder during occupational therapy sessions. 2. Evaluate behavioral disorder changes in 3-6 year old children with autism spectrum disorder during occupational therapy sessions. 3. Evaluate parents’ quality of life after occupational therapy sessions for their 3-6 year old children with behavior and autism spectrum disorders. Research methods: The study was conducted at Children's Hospital, Všį VULSK Child Development Center department during the period of 2016 10 - 2017 02. In total 24 pre-school children with autism spectrum and behavior disorders took part in this research. The participating children were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group consisted of 12 children with autism spectrum and behavioral disorders. The average age of children in this group was 4.25 ± 0.86 years. The control group consisted of 12 children. The children in this group were the same age and was chosen from the children with autism spectrum and behavioral disorders attending the Children's Hospital, Všį VULSK Child Development Center. Children's average age was 4.19 ± 0.79 years. In order to carry out the research a sensory program was designed and applied to the experimental group during occupational therapy sessions while the control group had only occupational therapy sessions for emphasizing the child's self-abilities and fine motor. Occupational therapy sessions were conducted in eight single procedures for 30 minutes and performed every working day. In order to evaluate child’s sensor system a “Sensory Profile“ test was used whereas to evaluate behavior disorders and behavior sameness a flexibility scale called “Flexibility Behavior Rating Scale” was used. In order to determine parents’ quality of life, when they are raising a child with behavioral and autism spectrum disorder, a questionnaire was used. Previously mentioned tests were applied twice for the children - at the beginning and at the end of the rehabilitation. Data analysis was performed using the R statistical analysis package and the Excel 2010 program. Results. Conclusions. The usage of sensory program during occupational therapy sessions for autistic children with sensory disorders (hearing, sight, touch, movement) improved their behavior significantly (p <0.05) compared to the control group. Children's autistic behavior through the application of sensory program improved significantly (p <0.05). The biggest positive changes in comparison with the control group were decreased impulsive anger and inconstant requirements, the reactions in response to the annoying stimuli became calmer, the fear to try new things decreased, and the concentration of attention during the task performance from start to finish improved significantly. The parents’ quality of life quality raising such children proved to be significantly better after the application of sensory program (p