Content area
Full Text
Many children and youth with and without disabilities are affected by challenges in processing and integrating sensations. Occupational therapy practitioners serve a pivotal role in the evaluation and treatment of this population. This special section of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy includes articles that elucidate the relationship between sensory processing and participation in valued occupations as well as articles that guide best practice, including systematic reviews on common occupational therapy interventions for children and youth with challenges in processing and integrating sensation. This editorial elaborates on key issues for future research.
A substantial number of children with and without disabilities are affected by challenges processing and integrating sensations. Research suggests that 10%- 55% of children without a diagnosed disability have difficulties in this area. This estimate increases to 40%-88% for children with various diagnoses (Ben-Sasson,Carter,& Briggs-Gowan, 2009; Cheung & Siu, 2009; Fernández-Andrés, Pastor-Cerezuela, Sanz- Cervera, & Tárraga-Mínguez, 2015), although it is important not to assume that all individuals with certain conditions experience these difficulties.
Internal and external responses to sensory stimuli vary greatly among individuals, but intervention is required when these responses affect participation in essential and meaningful occupations. Often, participation is affected when there is a mismatch between a person's neurophysiological sensory processing and integration abilities and his or her environment. The environment includes both the physical presence of sensory stimuli and specific tasks demands that require sensory processing and integration.
In recent years, the literature has shifted from a focus on sensory processing and integration problems to an emphasis on the occupational performance challenges resulting from these problems (Critz, Blake, &Nogueira, 2015). Challenges in detecting, interpreting, and adaptively responding to sensory stimuli affect a child's ability to participate in meaningful and valued occupations. The World Health Organization (2001) has defined participation very broadly as "involvement in a life situation" (p. 10). More specifically, participation involves engagement in key occupations such as activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs, rest and sleep, education, work, play, leisure, and social participation (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2014). Participation is the context in which people develop important life skills and competencies that contribute to overall health and quality of life (Pfeiffer et al., 2017).
An emerging literature has identified the pervasive impact of problems in...