The importance of creating an atmosphere conducive to positive behavioural development in autistic children was underlined at a recent workshop on sensory integration therapy organised by Pravaag Transitional Centre and School for Children with Autism.
M. Rekha, occupational therapist of Pravaag, spoke about sensory integration therapy, its components and about sensory processing disorder at the event held on Wednesday on the school’s K.K.Nagar campus. “Children with autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) often have difficulty regulating sensory input from the environment. These sensory-related problems include increased sensitivity to certain sounds, smell, taste and touch,” she said.
She added that many occupational therapists believe that these sensory issues are related to inappropriate behaviour among autistic children. “As the prevalence of autism continues to rise, it is important for teachers and parents to utilise techniques which improve the quality of the students’ daily functioning,” Ms.Rekha said.
Parents attending the workshop were able to find out how modifying behaviour would help in positively influencing their special child’s development. They also learned about the effects of sensory diet interventions on a child with autism to determine whether it would be successful in decreasing a target behaviour.
K. Geetha, Director and Sensory Enrichment Practitioner of Pravaag, spoke about how children with autism struggle with symptoms that interfere with the child’s functioning within a school setting.
“Parents should select activities with more sensory experiences that are consistent with the child’s specific needs to foster socially acceptable behaviour,” she said.
An exhibition of sensory materials was held on the sidelines of the workshop, where materials were displayed on various senses like touch, hearing, smell, taste and vision. Undergraduate students of the Department of Rehabilitation Science, Holy Cross College, who were also invited to attend the workshop, were given training in calming and alerting a child with processing difficulties.
