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Effectiveness of Therapy Ball Chairs on Classroom Participation in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

2010; American Occupational Therapy Association; Volume: 64; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.5014/ajot.2010.09149

1943-7676

Nancy Bagatell, Gina Mirigliani, Chrissa Patterson, Yadira Reyes, Lisa A. Test,

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research

A single-subject design was used to assess the effectiveness of therapy ball chairs on classroom participation in 6 boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The sensory processing pattern of each participant was assessed using the Sensory Processing Measure. Data on in-seat behavior and engagement were collected using digital video recordings during Circle Time. During baseline, participants sat on chairs. During intervention, participants sat on therapy ball chairs. Social validity was assessed by means of a questionnaire completed by the teacher. Each child demonstrated a unique response. The ball chair appeared to have a positive effect on in-seat behavior for the child who had the most extreme vestibular-proprioceptive-seeking behaviors. Children with poor postural stability were less engaged when sitting on the therapy ball chair. The results illuminate the complex nature of children with ASD and the importance of using sound clinical reasoning skills when recommending sensory strategies for the classroom.