What is sensory integration therapy? Does it work?
Sensory integration therapy, a specific type of occupational therapy, covers a broad range of activities used to treat children who have sensory processing problems. The OT chooses a program of activities based on a careful analysis of a child’s specific problems and a set of goals designed to improve her everyday functioning. Most of the research done on the effectiveness of this therapy has looked at the relationship between treatment and children’s school performance rather than their behavioral or emotional functioning. The results have been inconsistent, but generally negative. However, many of these studies have been poorly constructed and are seriously flawed from a scientific point of view. Therefore, it is impossible to draw any reliable conclusions from them about the potential usefulness of sensory integration therapy. While the science of sensory integration treatment continues to evolve, occupational therapy remains a popular choice for parents of children with sensory pro
