Sensory Integration and Play Behavior

Abstract

This paper presents a case study describing a developmentally delayed child and examines the changes in environmental interactions that occurred during a study period in occupational therapy in which sensory integration (SI) techniques were applied. Its purpose is to discuss the use of play observation as a means of measuring change in individuals involved in SI treatment and to demonstrate the relevance of qualitative research methodologies to the collection of data on play behavior. The study is a first step in a process of developing methods to evaluate the effectiveness of SI treatment in occupational therapy through collecting qualitative data on play and other behavioral measures of environmental interactions.