Abstract
BackgroundSensory and emotional disorders are typical in autism spectrum and were analyzed by psychological, neuropsychological and psychodynamic models of interpretation. Our theoretical analysis revealed that sensory-based solicitation of the autistic patients with intellectual disabilities could allow the revival of the intersubjectivity development. Therefore, the emergence of a relational and communicative dynamic. We conceptualized an approach of psychotherapy with sensory mediation intended to formulate therapeutic proposals for remediation of relationship and communication disorders. ObjectivesIn this study, we aim: to present our care devices and method and their application within the framework of a developmental, clinical and experimental research program; to report the main results obtained with five patients as a clinical illustration. MethodDuring 18 months, we exposed five patients to individual weekly sessions of psychotherapy with sensory mediation. Our experimental group, constituted of three children presenting severe intellectual disability associated with autistic disorders. It was compared to a control group with two children showing the similar level of intellectual deficiency but without autistic disorders. Quantitative (i.e. statistical) and qualitative analyses of the therapeutic effects were performed in the following domains: sensory integration, social interaction, communication, stereotypies, “positive” behaviors and “negative” behaviors. ResultsThe specificity of the sensory profile of children with autistic disorders was shown. Moreover, we calculated a Sensory Integration Index allowing observation of the improvement of the autistic children's sensory integration capacity along the continuous care. Both groups increased significantly their investment of the plurimodal stimulations (i.e. associated proximal and distal stimulations). In parallel, the psychotherapy sessions allowed an increased level of social interaction and communicative skills for both groups. Furthermore, the number of stereotypies decreased for the autistic children in the course of care.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
