A Feasibility Trial of a Telehealth-Adapted Ayres Sensory Integration® Intervention for Autistic Children

Families of autistic children with sensory needs who live in rural areas and places where in-person visits are not possible may benefit from additional therapy delivery options.

To assess parents' and therapists' acceptability of a telehealth delivery of occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration® (OT-ASI) and to evaluate preliminary changes in children's daily life skills and autism symptoms.

One-group pilot feasibility trial.

Telehealth delivery to the home environment.

Families (N = 6) with children ages 4 to 12 yr, diagnosed with autism and sensory difficulties, able to follow simple directions, willing to participate in 10 telehealth sessions, willing to complete pre and post measures, and with access to Wi-Fi-enabled devices.

Telehealth delivery of 10 OT-ASI sessions.

Sensory feature measures included the Sensory Processing Measure and a sensory screening tool adapted from the Evaluation of Ayres Sensory Integration®. Parent measures included goal attainment scaling, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders Behavior Inventory. The fidelity measure was adapted from the ASI® Fidelity Measure. Acceptability and feasibility were evaluated via semistructured interviews with parents and therapists.

Parents and interventionists were highly satisfied with OT-ASI and indicated that it was feasible to deliver. Children improved in individualized goals and functional skills as well as socialization and showed a decrease in overall autism symptomatology.

Telehealth delivery of OT-ASI is feasible and acceptable while maintaining strong fidelity. It can extend the reach and impact of occupational therapy services to autistic children and their families, particularly those facing barriers to in-person care. Plain-Language Summary: Many autistic children process or respond to sensation differently from other children, which can affect their participation in daily life activities. Occupational therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration® (OT-ASI) is an evidence-based intervention that can help these children participate more fully in daily life activities and reach personal goals. During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the OT-ASI intervention was updated for online delivery. This online approach was rated by parents and interventionists as feasible and helpful. Children met goals and improved social communication and responsibility skills. More research is needed to confirm and expand on these results.