Awareness of Parents for Need of Sensory Integration Therapy

Abstract

Aim: To create awareness about the need of Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT) to the parents of children with autism. Objectives: • To help parents to know the need for sensory integration therapy in children with autism so that it can help in early intervention • To create awareness to the parents that some of the behaviors that their child exhibits are sensory problems and that their child needs sensory integration therapy for the same • To make the parents aware about the sensory problems so that they can help their child at home Methodology: A cross sectional study. Thirty parents of children who were diagnosed to have autism were considered for the study. A questionnaire was prepared consisting of 77 closed ended questions covering all the aspects of sensory integration dysfunction. After pilot study, the questionnaire was administered to parents of children with autism. The responses from the parents were tabulated and analyzed. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using split half method and validity using content validity method. Results: Majority of the parents (50.9%) were not aware about the need for sensory integration therapy in children with autism and only 34.08 % of the parents are aware, whereas 15.2 % of the parents are not sure about whether their child needs sensory integration therapy for the same. Conclusion: The questionnaire has helped in creating awareness among parents for the need of sensory integration therapy in children with autism spectrum disorders. Further steps needed to create awareness among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder which is important for early intervention of the problem.