Effects of Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy Versus Conservative Treatment in Autism Spectrum

A. Jean Ayres, is a theory and practice that targets a person's ability to process and internally integrate sensory information from their body and environment. Sensory information may be visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, and/or vestibular in nature. ASI uses individually tailored activities that utilize "just right" challenges to an individual's existing patterns of sensory processing and motor planning and encourage movement and organization of self in time and space. ASI incorporates specialized equipment and materials in purposeful and playful activities in order to improve adaptive behavior.

The current treatment options for the core symptoms of autism are limited to psychosocial therapies, such as applied behavior analysis. Medications have been most effective in treating the associated behavioral symptoms of autism, though studies have examined potential benefits in some of the core symptoms of autism with certain medications, especially the repetitive behaviors often seen with this diagnosis. Risperidone and aripiprazole are currently the only medications FDA approved for symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders, targeting the irritability often seen with this diagnosis.