AAP Recommends Careful Approach to Using Sensory-Based Therapies
5/28/2012For Release: May 28, 2012
Sensory-based therapies using brushes, swings, balls and other equipment are
increasingly used by occupational therapists to treat children with
developmental and behavioral disorders. However, it’s unclear whether children
with sensory-based problems have an actual disorder related to the sensory
pathways of the brain, or whether these problems are due to an underlying
developmental disorder. In a new policy statement, “Sensory
Integration Therapies for Children With Developmental and Behavioral
Disorders,” published in the June 2012 Pediatrics (published online May 28),
the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that pediatricians not use
sensory processing disorder as an independent diagnosis. When sensory problems
are present, health care providers should consider other developmental
disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder, developmental coordination disorder and anxiety disorder. Occupational
therapy with the use of sensory-based therapies may be acceptable as one
component of a comprehensive treatment plan. The AAP recommends pediatricians
communicate with families about the limited data on the use of sensory-based
therapies, and help families design simple ways to monitor the effects of
treatment and discuss whether the therapy is working to achieve their goals for
their child. Occupational therapy is a limited resource and families should work
with pediatricians to prioritize treatments based on problems that affect a
child’s ability to perform daily functions.
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