Abstract
Controversy surrounds the use of sensory integration (SI) treatment for children with motor difficulties and learning disabilities. The efficacy of 75 sessions of individual SI therapy was compared to equal amounts of individual tutoring with 29 subjects, ages 5-9 years. Assessments by people blind to group assignment occurred at pre-test and after 6 and 12 months of treatment, using academic, motor and behavioral measures. Non significant differences were noted between the two treatment groups after 6 or 12 months of treatment. The fact that the SI group improved as much in reading and other academic measures as the tutoring group who received extensive work in those areas supports the theory that SI may be as effective as tutoring in improving academic functioning. Tutoring, however, was effective as SI in improving motor functioning, which was unexpected.