Date Presented 03/21/24
Sensory integration (SI) therapy is a common intervention used by OT practitioners. This qualitative study looks beyond the impact of SI on the child to examine how SI therapy affects family dynamics as a whole.
Primary Author and Speaker: Brooklyn Osborne
Additional Authors and Speakers: Aimee Piller, Jessica McHugh Conlin
PURPOSE: A majority of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) working with pediatric clients indicate they use sensory integration therapy (SIT) interventions (Schaaf et al., 2018). While issues with fidelity remain, interventions defined as SIT are widely used across pediatric practice with good effectiveness to improve outcomes in play, participation, and sensory processing (Chan et al., 2022; Adenlin et al., 2021). Children exist as part of a family unit, with many of their routines and occupations being influenced by the family. Yet, there is little research to examine the impact of SIT on the family unit. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of caregivers of children who have received SIT.
DESIGN: This qualitative study recruited 16 caregivers of children who were currently receiving or had received OT services using a sensory integration approach within the last five years.
METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Three independent reviewers analyzed the interview using Moustakas approach to phenomenological qualitative design.
RESULTS: Four main themes emerged to describe the impact of SIT on the family dynamic including family routines, parent response to sensory needs, modified participation in family activities, and improved regulation leading to increased family participation outside of the home.
CONCLUSION: Overall participants reported that participation of their child in SIT changed how their family performed various occupations, but overall led to an increase in participation for the entire family unit.
IMPACT STATEMENT: This study indicates that parents perceive changes in their children, which impact their entire family unit. Overall, the changes were identified as positive, indicating that occupational therapy using an SIT approach can increase family participation and impact family dynamics, beyond just the child they are treating.
References
Andelin, L., Reynolds, S., & Schoen, S. (2021). Effectiveness of occupational therapy using a sensory integration approach: A multiple-baseline design study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7506205030. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.044917
Phoebe L. C. Chan, P. L. C., Poon, M. Y. C., Bux, V., Wong, S.K.F, Chur, A. W. Y., Lourie, F. T. M., Wang, A. Q. L., Yang, H. L. C., Yu, E. L. M. & Fong, S. S. L. Fong (2022) Occupational therapy using an Ayres Sensory integration® approach for school-age children – a randomized controlled trial, World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, https://doi: 10.1080/14473828.2022.2097814
Schaaf, R. C., Dumont, R. L., Arbesman, M., & May-Benson, T. A. (2018). Efficacy of occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72, 7201190010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.028431
