The Analysis of Multi-sensory Environments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in United Arab Emirates
Abstract
Recent statistics indicates that one in 146 children had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United Arab Emirates and the number is increasing. Even though there is no cure for ASD, the multi-sensory environment (MSE) is widely accepted in the world. The objective of this paper was to explore the effects of the multi-sensory environment on children with ASD, who have visual and auditory hyposensitivity, with the help of cutting-edge technologies to monitor their heart rate. As a methodology, Single-Subject Experimental Design (SSED) was used for the study and MSE interventions was design with visual stimulation, auditory stimulation, and integration of visual and auditory stimulation. The result had shown that experience in a multi-sensory environment is effective in reducing negative repetitive behaviors in daily life of children with ASD. Visual/auditory integrated environmental intervention had a very positive effect on the target behavior of children with visual and auditory hyposensitivity. It was statistically proven that there are obvious differences in heart rate of children with autism spectrum disorder according to the three types of multi-sensory environment interventions. The change in heart rate in a multi-sensory environment, however, could not be concluded with the same effect as the reduction in target behavior. This study will serve as a basic data that one of the important aspects of multi-sensory environment therapy is the flexibility of spatial design that can provide customized environments according to each child with ASD's sensory needs.
References
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Wendt, O., & Miller, B., (2012). Quality Appraisal of Single-Subject Experimental Designs: An Overview and Comparison of Different Appraisal Tools. Education and Treatment of Children, 35(2), 235-268.
Wiggins, L. D., Robins, D. L., Bakeman, R., & Adamson, L. B., (2009). Brief report: Sensory abnormalities as distinguishing symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in young children, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(7), 1087-1091.
Al Nuaimi, M.S. & Safi, M. (2019). Digital Social Stories Improve Social Skills in Two Children with Autism: An Experimental Single-Subject Study, 1-17.
APA (American Psychiatric Association). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 22-24.
Baillon, S., Van Diepen, E., & Prettyman, R., (2002). Multi-Sensory Therapy in Psychiatric Care, Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 8(6), 444-450.
Barlow, D., Nock, M., & Hersen, M., (2008). Single Case Experimental Designs: Strategies for Studying Behavior Change. 142-145.
Bennett, M. (2020). Heart Rate Variability: Using Biometrics to Improve Outcomes in Trauma-Informed Organizations. 26-27.
Boucher, J. (2017). Autism Spectrum Disorder: Characteristics, Causes and Practical Issues. 16-18.
Burns, P., Garner, A., Lau, S., Dixon, R., Pascoe, C., & Szafraniec, M. (2019). Making Sense of Multi-Sensory Environments: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 67(6), 630-656.
Byiers, B.J., Reichle, J. & Symons, F.J., (2012). Single-Subject Experimental Design for Evidence-Based Practice, American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 21(4), 397-414.
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). (2020). Data and Statistics on Autism Spectrum Disorder, Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html
Collier, L., Truman, J., (2008). Exploring the Multi-sensory Environment as a Leisure Resource for People with Complex Neurological Disabilities, NeuroRehabilitation, 23(4), 361-367.
Cooper, J., Heron, T. & Heward, W. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis. 64-68.
Davies, C. (2019). Creating Multi-sensory Environments: Practical Ideas for Teaching and Learning (Nasen Spotlight). 92-96.
DSIB (Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau). (2015). Inspection Handbook 2014-2015. 13-14.
Eapen, V., Mabrouk, A,A, Zoubeidi, T., & Yunis, F., (2007). Prevalence of Pervasive Developmental Disorders in Preschool Children in the UAE. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 53(3), 202–205.
Faras, H., AlAteeqi, N., & Tidmarsh, L. (2010). Autism Spectrum Disorders. Annals of Saudi Medicine, Med, 30, 295–300.
Fava, L., Strauss, K. (2010). Multi-sensory rooms: Comparing effects of the Snoezelen and the Stimulus Preference environment on the behavior of adults with profound mental retardation. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31(1), 160-171.
Gulf News. (2013). Cabinet approves a proposed federal law on compulsory education, Retrieved from https://gulfnews.com/uae/education/cabinet-approves-a-proposed-federal-law-on-compulsory-education-1.1052379
Horner, R., Carr, E.G., Halle, J., McGee, G., Odom, S., & wolery, M. (2005). The Use of Single-Subject Research to Identify Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education, Exceptional Children, 71(2), 165-179.
Hoyle, R.H. (2014). Handbook of Structural Equation Modeling. 214-220.
Johnson, J.P. & Kiran, S. (2015). Preserving the flexibility of single-subject experimental design - a commentary on “Optimising the design of intervention studies: critiques and ways forward, Aphasiology, 29(5), 567-569.
Kazdin, A.E. (2010). Single-Case Research Designs: Methods for Clinical and Applied Settings. 36-38.
Lauritsen, M.B. (2013). Autism Spectrum Disorders. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 22, 37–42.
Ledford, J.R. & Gast, D.L. (2018). Single Case Research Methodology: Applications in Special Education and Behavioral Sciences. 147-150.
Matson, J.L. & Nebel-Schwalm, M. (2017). Assessing challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders: A review, Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28(6), 567-579
Mills, G., Gay, L. (2018). Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Applications. 342-346.
Myers, S.M., Johnson, C.P., (2007). Management of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pediatrics, 120(5), 1162-1182.
Novakovic, N., Milovancevic, M.P., Dejanovic, S.D., & Aleksic, B., (2019). Effects of Snoezelen—Multisensory environment on CARS scale in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder, Research in Developmental Disabilities, 89(1), 51-58.
Pagliano, P. J. (2012) The multisensory handbook: A guide for children and adults with sensory learning disabilities. 38-42.
Papavasiliou, A.S., Nikaina, I., Rizou, J., & Alexandrou, S. (2011). The effect of a psycho-educational program on CARS scores and short sensory profile in autistic children, European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 15(4), 338-344.
Poza, P., Gómez, C., Gutiérrez, M.T., Mendoza, N., & Hornero, R., (2013). Effects of a multi-sensory environment on brain-injured patients: Assessment of spectral patterns, Medical Engineering & Physics, 35(3), 365-375.
Rakap, S. (2015). Effect sizes as result interpretation aids in single‐subject experimental research: description and application of four nonoverlap methods, BJSE, 42(1), 11-33.
Rhoads, J. (2020). Clinical Consult to Psychiatric Mental Health Management for Nurse Practitioners, Second Edition – A Convenient, Practical, and Portable Guide of the Major DSM-5 Disorders. 106-118.
Robles, P., R., Ballabriga, M.C.J., & Diéguez, E.D. (2012). Validating Regulatory Sensory Processing Disorders Using the Sensory Profile and Child Behavior Checklist, Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21(1), 906–916.
Samsung. (2021). Samsung Galaxy Fit 2 – Fitness and Sleep Tracker / Samsung US, Retrieved from https://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/wearables/galaxy-fit-2/
Suen, H. & Ary, D. (2014). Analyzing Quantitative Behavioral Observation Data. 134-138.
Thompson, C.J. (2011). Multi-Sensory Intervention Observational Research. International Journal of Special Education, 26(1), 202-214.
Tomchek, S.D. & Dunn, W. (2007). Sensory Processing in Children With and Without Autism: A Comparative Study Using the Short Sensory Profile, American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(1), 190-200.
UAE Ministry of Education Special Needs Department. (2006). School for All: General Rules for the Provision of Special Education Programs & Services (Public & Private Schools). 7-8.
Virolainen, S., Hussien W., & Dalibalta S., (2020). Autism spectrum disorder in the United Arab Emirates: potential environmental links. Reviews on Environmental Health, 35(4), 359-369.
Ward-Horner, J. & Sturmey, P. (2013). Component analyses using single‐subject experimental designs: A review, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43(4), 685-704.
Wendt, O., & Miller, B., (2012). Quality Appraisal of Single-Subject Experimental Designs: An Overview and Comparison of Different Appraisal Tools. Education and Treatment of Children, 35(2), 235-268.
Wiggins, L. D., Robins, D. L., Bakeman, R., & Adamson, L. B., (2009). Brief report: Sensory abnormalities as distinguishing symptoms of autism spectrum disorders in young children, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(7), 1087-1091.
Published
2021-08-01
How to Cite
JUNG, Chuloh; AL QASSIMI, Nahla; AWAD, Jihad.
The Analysis of Multi-sensory Environments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in United Arab Emirates.
Asian Journal of Research in Education and Social Sciences, [S.l.], v. 3, n. 2, p. 230-243, aug. 2021.
Available at: <https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ajress/article/view/14570>. Date accessed: 13 oct. 2024.
Section
Articles
