AYRES SENSORY INTEGRATION FOR THE CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD):A MIXED METHOD STUDY
Authors:   Assistant Professor, Seth GS Medical College, KEM Hospital, Mumbai., Hemant P Nandgaonkar , Ferzandi Zarine ,   Associate Professor (Retired), Seth GS Medical College, KEM Hospital, Mumbai.
Published: October 2020

For intervention of children with a diagnosis of Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there are many modalities. Sensory Processing issues are present in children with ADHD. There is a wide use of Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI®) to treat children with ADHD. But effectiveness of ASI® in children with ADHD is unknown. The purpose of study was to examine the effects of ASI® Interventions on Participation of the child in addition to the parent’s perspective about the outcome of therapy in children with a diagnosis of ADHD. Method: Study was divided as 1. Development of the questionnaire for the evaluation of “Participation of the child with ADHD”. 2. Randomized controlled Pilot trial, double blind study. 3. Family perspective about the effect of intervention on children with ADHD using qualitative interview method. Eligible candidates were children having average intelligence with a diagnosis of ADHD, between age of 5 years and 12 years, sensory processing disorder. Children included in the study received occupational therapy with either protocol. Results: 1. Self-care, academics, interpersonal interactions and communication are important primacies for the parents of children with a diagnosis of ADHD. 2. Priorities of the parents of children with a diagnosis of ADHD change according to the culture they belong. 3. ADHD Participation Profile (APP) is a valid & reliable questionnaire to monitor progress of children with a diagnosis of ADHD. The responsiveness of the ADHD Participation Profile questionnaire has been proven to be good. Herein, the ADHD Participation Profile can be used reliably to document the treatment progress of patients with ADHD for research and clinical purposes.The children in ASI® Group, made gains that were significantly greater than the children in the other group on Goal Attainment Scale and ADHD Participation Profile. Large Effect sizes were found between and within the on both the outcome measures (1.87 & 0.939). Conclusion: ADHD does not have only represents sensory processing issues. It’s is complex disorder which embodies issues other than Sensory Processing and will be receptive to the other modes of intervention. If existing, the sensory processing issues needs to be addressed specifically, as it will influence the global performance.Occupational Therapy has brought a notable change in kids and parent’s life. Most of the caretakers were ready for new boundaries in their daily family occupations. Though some goals are met after the intervention, the list of apprehensions is unending. Many parents less worried after Occupational Therapy intervention, whereas the few were still doubtful about future of their kids. We would have overlooked this ironic data, if we should have given a verdict about the effect of the intervention though quantitative measure. Mixing the methods was a suitable solution.