Snoezelen Rooms®: Is There Science Behind That?

Elizabeth Hardesty, MA, BCBA, Breanna Roberts, MA, BCBA, and Thomas Zane, PhD, BCBA-D Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas In this article, we will discuss background information and current research on Snoezelen Rooms® or multi-sensory environments (MSE) that claim to treat symptoms of ASD including atypical sensory responses. Atypical sensory responses are now…

Zones of Regulation: Is There Science Behind That?

Breanna Roberts, MA, BCBA, Ellie Hardesty, MA, BCBA, and Thomas Zane, PhD, BCBA-D Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas What is Zones of Regulation? Zones of Regulation is a “social emotional learning curriculum and regulation program” developed by Leah Kuypers, MAEd, OTR/L (Kuypers, 2011, 2023). This class-wide curriculum has become popular in schools…

The Wilbarger Brushing Protocol

Written by: Courtney Keleher, MEd, BCBA1, Kristina Gasiewski, MOTR/L, MEd, BCBA2, Mary Jane Weiss, PhD, BCBA-D1, 2 1Endicott College 2Melmark Description: In the 1970s, Dr. A. Jean Ayres developed sensory integration (SI) theory, which is based on the idea that atypical sensory processing requires therapeutic exposure to sensations that can change the brain’s ability to…

Weighted Vests

Written by: Kristina Gasiewski, MOTR/L, M.Ed., BCBA Melmark Description: Weighted vests are a Sensory Based Intervention (SBI) often used by occupational therapists and educators to target problem behaviors (e.g., inattentiveness or repetitive/stereotypical behaviors that interfere with an individual’s ability to engage in on-task behavior). The weighted vest is intended to help the individual modulate their…

Sensory-based Interventions

We know that autism is a complex condition with very diverse presentations. When considering sensory-based interventions, we also know that there are many different approaches that vary widely in both scope and implementation. Therefore, it is not possible or appropriate to provide a single treatment summary that addresses sensory-based interventions for autism. Whereas sensory-based interventions…

Mindfulness: Is There Science Behind That?

Stacha C. Leslie, MEd, BCBA, Breanna Roberts, MA, BCBA, and Thomas Zane, PhD, BCBA-D Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas Deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior are the two diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorder that can range in severity – requiring minimal to substantial support (American Psychological Association,…

A Research Review of the Zones of Regulation Program

Mason, B. K., Leaf, J. B., & Gerhardt, P. F. (2024). A research review of the Zones of Regulation Program. The Journal of Special Education, 57(4), 219-229. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224669231170202 Reviewed by: Nicole Radzilowicz, MEd, BCBA, LABA and Mary Jane Weiss PhD, BCBA-D Endicott College and the Association for Science in Autism Treatment Why research this topic? The Zones…

Art Therapy: Is There Science Behind That?

Stacha C. Leslie, MEd, BCBA, LBA, Breanna Roberts, MA, BCBA, LBA, and Thomas Zane, PhD, BCBA-D Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas Deficits in social-emotional development, motor skills, and sensory regulation are highlighted as potential challenges faced by individuals with autism (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Several alternative treatments and therapies have been developed…

Description of the Treatment Team

Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment Individuals with autism often receive services from multi-disciplinary teams. Treatment teams work in partnership with the individual and their family. The members of a team, and their specialties, may depend on the individual’s current level of functioning, the nature…

Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Dolphin Assisted Therapy Lori Marino, PhD Whale Sanctuary Project & the Department of Animal Studies, New York University David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment Description: Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) is a form of animal‐assisted therapy (AAT) in which children or adults with various conditions interact with or swim with live captive…

Relevant ASAT Articles for Occupational and Physical Therapists

Compiled by Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA and Kristina Gasiewski, MEd, MOTR/L, BCBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment Occupational and physical therapists are important members of the treatment team providing services to individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. In keeping with our mission of promoting effective evidenced-based treatments for individuals with…