Abstract
OT intervention significantly improved sensory processing and coping skills for at-risk youth (grades K–7) 6 months postintervention in urban settings. Efficacy research in this area poses significant challenges relative to maturity and setting effects.
Primary Author and Speaker: Christine Helfrich
Additional Authors and Speakers: Allison F. Sullivan
Long-term efficacy of Every Moment Counts (EMC) was examined for at risk youth in an urban school or community program. EMC promotes mental health by increasing positive experiences for children (Bazyk, 2021) to build resilience (LaCharite et al, 2023). OTPs can apply sensory processing and coping skills to increase resilience to support child development. Evaluation participants in the 2-group pre-post experimental design were recruited from an urban school (Grade K, n = 21) and community program (Grades 2-6, n = 15). The Coping Inventory (CI) (Zeitlin, 1985) and Short Sensory Profile 2 (SSP2) (Dunn, 2014) were administered after the 6-week program (T1) and six months later (T2) by staff and scored by an OT. ANOVA for the 2-group, 2-visit dependent variables was conducted with follow up independent T-Tests to explore interaction effects. The SSP2 indicated interaction effects for: seeking, avoiding, sensitivity, registration, sensory and behavior (F(1,32) = 6.56-17.536, p <.001). Follow up comparison showed the Community group drove the interaction effects with more typical sensory processing and behavior, while the younger, School group increased in sensitivity and registration (p <.01). There were no group effects; Seeking had a main effect (decreased) for visits. The CI indicated visit effects for environment, self & environment, and adaptive behavior (F(1,32) = 7.929-9.854, p = <.008). Follow up analysis showed the Community group drove the visit effects for environment (p = .009). There were no group or interaction effects. These results support that improvements continued after the EMC intervention for the Community Group. Preventive occupational therapy to increase sensory and coping skill needs of at risk younger children can have lasting impacts. Further study is needed to determine the effect of the intervention vs. maturation to improve sensory and coping skills as children age to support increased resilience. Longitudinal study would provide additional dimensions.
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Dunn, W (2014). Sensory profile 2: User’s manual. Psychological Corporation.