Sensory Processing and Classroom Emotional, Behavioral, and Educational Outcomes in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

A pattern of auditory filtering difficulties, sensory underresponsiveness, and sensory seeking was associated with academic underachievement in the children with ASD. Children who have difficulty processing verbal instructions in noisy environments and who often focus on sensory-seeking behaviors appear more likely to underachieve academically.

Classroom displays—Attraction or distraction? Evidence of impact on attention and learning from children with and without autism.

“…Importantly, atypical sensory processing in children with ASD has been linked with poorer academic performance (Ashburner, Ziviani & Rodger, 2008). Ashburner et al (2008) suggest that maladaptive responses to classroom sensory environments can contribute to poorer academic achievement in these children (see also Howe & Stagg, 2016). It may be that a classroom heavily Running Head: Impact of classroom visual distraction on attention and learning in autism and typical development 8 decorated with displays is particularly stimulating for children with ASD, more so than the focus of lessons.…”

Reframing Services for Malaysian Students in Schools: Time to Bring Occupational Therapy into the Classroom

“…PPUKM is one of the most significant teaching and reference hospitals in Malaysia, as it receives referrals throughout the country, including referrals of children with ASD. Children with ASD are often referred for OT services for various intervention needs, including those related to academic difficulties (Ashburner et al 2008;Schaaf et al 2011). All referrals of children with ASD aged between 3 to 12 years by pediatricians or child and adolescent psychiatrists, to the OT services in PPUKM received between July and December 2013 were screened.…”

“…The challenging behavior exhibited by children with ASD might be due to their difficulties in sensory processing, such as poor abilities in sensory modulation (Ben-Sasson et al 2009;Schaaf et al 2011;Tomchek & Dunn 2007). A study by Ashburner, Ziviani and Rodger (2008) found that the difficulties in aspects of sensory processing such as sensory-seeking and sensory-underresponsiveness behaviors could lead to academic underachievement in children with ASD. Given there could be many causal factors affecting children with ASD, they need to be carefully diagnosed.…”

“…Efforts in managing problems faced by children with ASD and their families need to be appropriately channeled, so that problems of not being able to fully and actively participate in their life and community settings could be adequately addressed (Rodger & Umaibalan 2011;Spann et al 2003) According to a published preliminary study, there is generally low public awareness on the difficulties faced by children with ASD in Malaysia, with some participants having never heard of the condition (Md Shamsudin & Abdul Rahman 2014). This ignorance would help to explain the negative reaction and stigmatization placed on children with ASD and their families (Gray 1993;Woodgate et al 2008), specifically, on those who exhibit challenging behaviors (Ashburner et al 2008;O'Donnell et al 2012;Schaaf et al 2011). This stigmatization could increase psychological stress in parents or caregivers of children with ASD (Schaaf et al 2011).…”

Feasibility Exploration of Electrodermal Response to Food in Children with ASD Compared to Typically Developing Children

“…For example, SUR is one predictor of social communication skills during the early childhood period (Baranek et al, 2013;Watson, Baranek, Roberts, David, & Perryman, 2010). SS has been linked to underachievement in the academic setting due to attentional difficulties (Ashburner, Ziviani, & Rodger, 2008). There is a strong correlation between SOR and symptoms of anxiety (Lane, Reynolds, & Dumenci, 2012) and taken together, SOR and anxiety may lead to decreased participation in social and leisure activities outside of the home for children with ASD (Little, Ausderau, Sideris, & Baranek, 2015).…”