Efficacy of a Sound‐based Intervention with a Child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder and Auditory Sensory Over‐responsivity. (29th October 2013) - Gee, Bryan M.
Abstract Sound‐based interventions (SBIs) are being used by paediatric occupational therapists to help children with autism spectrum disorders and co‐morbid sensory processing disorders. A limited yet growing body of evidence is emerging related to the efficacy of SBIs in reducing sensory processing deficits among paediatric clients with co‐morbid conditions. The current study employed an ABA single‐subject case‐controlled design, implementing The Listening Program® with a 7‐year‐old child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who demonstrated auditory sensory over‐responsivity (SOR). The intervention consisted of 10 weeks of psycho‐acoustically modified classical music that was delivered using specialized headphones and amplifier and a standard CD player. Repeated measures were conducted during the A(1), B and A(2) phases of the study using the Sensory Processing Measure, a subjective caregiver questionnaire, and the Sensory Over‐Responsivity Scales, an examiner‐based assessment measure to track changes of the participant's auditory SOR‐related behaviours. The results indicated that the participant exhibited a decrease in the number of negative (avoidant, verbal and physical negative) and self‐stimulatory behaviours. The decreases in negative and self‐stimulatory behaviour may have been due to the therapeutic effect of the repeated exposure to the Sensory Over‐Responsivity Scales or The Listening Program SBI. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.