Your Therapy Source Magazine for Pediatric Therapists June2016 | Page 3

In Class Sensory Activities and On Task Performance
The British Journal of Occupational Therapy published
research on in class sensory activities and on task
performance of 4 students with autism using a nonconcurrent, AB single system research design across
multiple baselines. Data was collected by school staff
using video recording during classroom tasks. Stage one
of the Perceive, Recall, Plan, Perform (PRPP) System of
Task Analysis was used as a repeated measure of student
performance. The PRPP system allows a therapist to
identify errors in task performance in relation to
occupational performance. Ratings were carried out by
independent raters who were blinded to the condition of
performance.
The interventions used in this study consisted of:
1. aspect comprehensive approach to education – is an
evidence-informed framework guiding everyday
educational practice for students with ASD which was
already taking place at the school
2. sensory activity schedule (SAS) – a functional, contextembedded approach to classroom management of atypical
sensory responses that is individualized for each child with
autism and school staff. The sensory activities were approximately 10 minutes. Some examples
were bouncing on therapy ball and jumping on mini trampoline.
3. task specific and teacher directed.
The results indicated the following: three out of four students achieved significant improvements
in classroom task performance following the use of sensory activity schedule intervention
developed in consultation with an occupational therapist as measured by the task analysis.
The researchers concluded that this study indicates promising results for improvements in task
mastery following the SAS intervention.

Check out Cut and Paste Sensory Diet to provide visual supports
throughout the school day and at home for sensory activities schedules.
Find out more at http://www.yourtherapysource.com/sensorydiet.html

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