Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
13:44
Project-Based Learning Guidelines for Health Sciences Students: An Analysis with Data Mining and Qualitative Techniques
Published on: December 9, 2022
Enhancing adaptation and learning in educational environments (SENSE project): a case series study.
R Maggio1,2, C Pino3, L Catalfamo3
1IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino - Pulejo", Messina, Italy.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Multisensory environments (MSE) provide structured breaks for autistic students, reducing challenging behaviors and improving sensory regulation. This approach shows promise for enhancing inclusion in public schools.
Area of Science:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research
- Inclusive Education Strategies
- Sensory Integration Therapy
Background:
- Autistic students experience higher rates of school exclusion due to unmet sensory and social needs.
- Lack of structured sensory breaks exacerbates stress and behavioral issues, leading to classroom removal.
- Dedicated spaces for sensory regulation are recommended to support autistic learners.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility and impact of a multisensory environment (MSE) as a structured mid-morning break in a public school setting.
- To assess the effectiveness of MSE in reducing sensory overload and improving behavioral engagement for autistic students.
- To evaluate the safety, usability, and integration of MSE into daily school routines.
Main Methods:
- A community-based case series involving five autistic students attending regular MSE sessions.
- Teachers received training from an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP).
- Sessions were individualized, supported by a neuropsychomotor therapist, and assessed via service metrics, observation, and teacher questionnaires.
Main Results:
- The MSE intervention was found to be feasible, safe, and easily integrated into school routines.
- All participating students demonstrated reduced challenging behaviors and enhanced sensory regulation.
- Students showed increased engagement and requested preferred activities within the MSE.
Conclusions:
- Integrating MSEs into daily school practice can improve sensory tolerance and decrease challenging behaviors in autistic students.
- This study is the first to report on MSE use for sensory regulation during school hours in a public school.
- Findings support further research into MSEs within inclusive education models.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Case Studies
There are many research methods available to psychologists in their efforts to understand, describe, and explain behavior and the cognitive and biological processes that underlie it.
01:15Natural Selection and Adaptation
Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations, psychological...
Beyond physical adaptations, psychological...
02:57The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
01:21Cognitive Learning
Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
01:22Purposive Learning
E. C. Tolman emphasized the purposiveness of behavior — the idea that much of our behavior is goal-directed. For instance, employees who aim for a promotion work diligently to meet their targets. Tolman argued that when classical conditioning and operant conditioning occur, the organism acquires certain expectations. In classical conditioning, a child might fear a dog because they expect it to bite. In operant conditioning, a person might consistently work overtime because they expect a bonus...