Study on the Importance of Sensory Processing on Leisure Activity Choices

As noted by Zuckerman (1994) and Dunn (1997), the way an individual processes and responds to sensation has an impact on their daily life activities and activity choices. Poor or atypical sensory processing abilities have been associated with problems in social participation and behavioral self-regulation, as well as learning, leisure and occupational activities (Dunn, 2001). McIntosh, Miller, Shu and Haggerman (1999) noted that hyper-reactivity to sensation may result in negative responses to touch, sounds or bright lights; avoidance of certain tastes or smells; aggressive or emotional reaction to touch; and/or anxiety or distress to movement which may interfere with daily life activities. Similarly, extreme hypo-reactivity to sensation often results in poor awareness of sensation or compensator sensation seeking behaviors and also interferes with daily life activities (Miller et al, 2001). Other common behavioral manifestations of atypical sensory processing include distractibility, impulsiveness, abnormal activity level, disorganization, anxiety, and emotional labiality (Mallioux and Parham, 1995).

It is clear from the literature, therefore, that sensory processing abilities have an impact on behavior, and that poor sensory processing may have a deleterious effect on the individual's quality of life. Therefore, it is important to study the mechanism of sensory processing as well as its behavioral sequela. This knowledge will help occupational therapists and others who work with individuals who have difficulties with sensory processing to develop effective therapeutic intervention strategies aimed at reducing abnormal sensory responsiveness and improving the quality of life for individual's with disruptions in sensory processing.

The specific aims of this study are to:

• To assess whether behavioral responses to sensation are related to PsNS and SNS activity in a sample of young adults ages 18-30.

• To determine if there are patterns of SNS and PsNS activity associated with behavioral responses to sensation.

• To provide a foundation for future studies that will examine the effectiveness of specific therapeutic interventions (i.e.: occupational therapy intervention) on reducing abnormal sensory responses as well as enhancing participation and improving the quality of daily living activities.

In order to participate in this study adult must be:

• Between the ages of 18 and 30 years of age;

• No physical or medical complications that may affect cardiac or electrodermal activity

• No medications that may affect cardiac or electrodermal activity

In addition to the laboratory procedures, where we measure the subject's heart rate and sweat gland activity while introducing various stimuli, the subject will also be asked to fill out a series of questionnaires:

• Demographic Form (Microsoft Word doc) -information about subject's age, gender, date of birth etc.

• Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile -a questionnaire which measures the subject's behavioral responses to sensation (Brown & Dunn, 2002).

• Sensation Seeking Scale - subjects report which scenario they find themselves more comfortable in (Zuckerman,1994).

• Leisure Questionnaire

The entire procedure, for either the child or adult study takes approximately 1.5 hours.

If you are interested in participating in our lab OR are an OT applicant/student interested in working in the Sensory Integration Lab as a research assistant please contact:

Roseann C. Schaaf PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
130 South 9 th Street
Suite 810
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Telephone: 215-503-9609
Fax: 215-503-3499
Email: Roseann.schaaf@jefferson.edu

Achenbach, T.M. & Rescorla, L.A. (2001). Manual for the ASEBA School-Age Forms and Profiles. Burlington VT: University of Vermont, Research Center for Children, Youth, and Families.

Anzalone, M. E. & Williamson, G. G. (2000). Sensory processing and motor performance in autism spectrum disorders. In A.M.Wetherby & B.M.Prizant (Eds.), Autism spectrum disorders: A transactional developmental approach (9 ed., pp. 143-166). Baltimore, MD: Brooks Publishing Company.

Baranek, G. T. (1998). Sensory processing in persons with autism and developmental disabilities: Considerations for research and clinical practice. Sensory Integration

Behnke, C.J. (1982). Examining the reliability of the play history. Unpublished Master's Research Project, Virginia Commonwealth University.Master's Research Project, Virginia Commonwealth University. Special Interest Section Quarterly, 21, 1-3.

Brown, C.E., & Dunn, W. (2002). Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile: User's Manual. Antonia, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

Dunn, W. (1997). The impact of sensory processing abilities on the daily lives of young children and their families: A conceptual model. Infants and Young Children, 9 (4), 23-35.

Dunn, W., (1999). Sensory Profile: User's Manual . Antonia, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

Dunn, W. (2001). The sensations of everyday life: Empirical, theoretical, and pragmatic considerations. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 55, 608-620.

Fleischer, A. (Producer). (2000, July 21). 20/20. New York: ABC.

Harrison, P.L., & Oakland T. (2003). Adaptive Behavior Assessment System Second Edition Manual, San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Cooperation.

Huebner, R. A. (2001). Autism: A sensorimotor approach to management . Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers, Inc.

Kientz, M.H. (1996). Sensory-based needs in children with autism: Motivation for behavior and suggestions for intervention. AOTA Developmental Disabilities Special Interest Section Newsletter, 19 (3), 1-3.

Mailloux, Z. (2001). Sensory integrative principles in intervention with children with autistic disorder. In S.Smith-Roley, E.Imperatore-Blanche, & R.C.Schaaf (Eds.), Understanding the nature of sensory integration with diverse populations. (pp. 365-382). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

McGrath-Clarke, J. and Summers, C. (2000). Sensory modulation dysfunction: Research and treatment. School Health Reporter, Winter, 4-5.

McIntosh, D. N., Miller, L.J., & Hagerman, R. J. (1999). Sensory modulation disruption, electrodermal responses and functional behaviors. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 41, 608-615.

Menarchek, M. (1982). Examining the validity of the play history. Unpublished.

Miller, L. J., Reisman, E., McIntosh, D. N., & Simon, J. (2001). An ecological model of sensory modulation: Performance of children with fragile X syndrome, autistic disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and sensory modulation dysfunction. In S.S. Roley,, E. I. Blanche, & R. Schaaf (Eds.), Understanding the nature of sensory integration with diverse populations (pp.57-85). San Antonio, TX: Therapy Skill Builders.

O'Neill, M. & Jones, R. S. P. (1997). Sensory-perceptual abnormalities in autism: A case for more research? Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 27, 283-293.

Parham, L.D., & Fazio, L.S. (1997). Play in occupational therapy for children . St. Louis, MO: Mosby-Year Book, Inc.

Parham, D. & Mailloux, Z. (1995). Sensory integrative principles in intervention with children with autistic disorder. In J.Case-Smith, A.S.Allen, & P.N.Pratt (Eds.), Occupational therapy for children (pp. 329-382). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Price, Mayfield, McFadden, & March. (2000-2001). The change from isolation to collaboration. In Collaborative teaching: Special education for inclusive classrooms(Chapter 1). Retrieved August 1, 2004 from http://www.parrotpublishing.com/Inclusion_Chapter_1.htm

Sparrow, S.S, Balla, D.A., Cicchetti, D.V. (1984). Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Interview Edition: Survey Form Manual. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.

Takata, N. (1974). Play as a prescription . In M. Reilly (Ed.), Play as exploratory learning (pp. 209-246). Beverly Hills: Sage Publication, Inc

Zuckerman, M. (1994). Behavioral Expressions and Biosocial Bases of Sensation Seeking. New York, New York: Cambridge University Press.

Zuckerman, M. (1994). Biological Bases of Sensation Seeking, Impulsivity and Anxiety. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publishers.

Links:

The SPD Network - The STAR Center