Interactive sensory therapy decreases stress in Autism and developmental disabilities

What is it about?

Different types of therapy that include a sensory, interactive component are very beneficial for children with developmental disabilities such as autism and intellectual disability. Some of the most popular forms of such therapies include music therapy, in which individuals listen to and create music as a group, and occupational therapy, in which individuals focus on developing autonomous life skills with the help of a therapist. We assessed stress levels, as measured by a chemical produced in the saliva called salivary alpha-amylase, in individuals before and after such therapies in the hopes of finding that they increase wellbeing and that salivary alpha-amylases could be used as a quick, reliable measure of stress levels. We found that both music and occupational therapy decrease salivary alpha-amylase, and thus stress, in individuals with autism and occupational therapy. This supports the use of salivary alpha-amylase as a measure of stress, and confirms the benefits of music and occupational therapy, which should keep being actively incorporated into children's' clinical and non-clinical care plans.

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