Abstract
(1) Background: Sensory processing disorder is now recognised as a core feature of autism spectrum disorder that influences children’s adaptive behaviours, which, in turn, may interfere with their participation in life situations. This study describes the process of developing a technological platform, in the form of an app, to help families regulate children with ASD, aged 3–6 years old, by applying sensory strategies to improve the child’s participation in daily routines in the home context. (2) Methods: A focus group formed by four specialised occupational therapists who intervene with children with ASD was selected in order to understand and discuss content that should be included in the app. At a later stage, a group of three was involved to ensure quality and veracity in technological platform elaboration. (3) Results: The purpose of the app, named Regul-A, is to help parents regulate children with ASD regarding their participation in home routines. The sensory strategies provided by the focus group in the three major occupations of the child were the first results obtained, followed by the development of the app structure. (4) Conclusions: The next phase of the study will be the use of the platform by families of children with ASD and occupational therapists. It is believed that, in the future, Regul-A will be used as a tool to gather, analyse and manage data on the occupational performance of children with ASD in the home context, particularly for activities of daily living, sleep, rest and play, facilitating the implementation of strategies and the sharing of information between parents and occupational therapists.
Highlights
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by persistent impairments in social interaction and the presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviours, interests or activities [1]
Through the focus group meetings, it was possible to define the daily participation routines of the child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and establish the sensory strategies for regulating the sensory reactivity of a child with ASD that should be included in the app
The app included a page regarding the child’s profile and sensory needs according to each sensory system, and this information should be entered by the occupational therapist
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by persistent impairments in social interaction and the presence of restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviours, interests or activities [1]. The recognised, widespread presence of atypical sensory reactivity among people with ASD recently led to its inclusion as a diagnostic feature of ASD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) [1]; under the criterion of “restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities”. Studies estimate that 70–90% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display atypical reactivity to sensory stimuli [3]. This atypical reactivity is often characterised into three types that regularly coexist in individuals with ASD: hypo-reactivity (decreased or no reaction to sensory stimuli when it would be expected), hyperreactivity (increased or aversive reaction to sensory stimuli).
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