Date of Award
2010
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Submission Date
October 2026
Abstract
The education of profoundly intellectually disabled individuals requires identifying motivators to help them learn basic tasks and skills. When these individuals also suffer from Autism Spectrum Disorder, one promising method of therapy, multisensory therapy, has been shown to relax patients, facilitating the educational process. Relaxation drastically minimizes maladaptive behaviors such as repetitive movement (stereotypy) and self-injury, allowing the participant to learn efficiently. In this study, a multi-axis measure was developed to determine behavioral differences between an experimental group that underwent the therapy and a control group that performed a functional task in their classroom. Stereotypic behaviors were significantly reduced and gaze focus was enhanced within the therapy. The significance of these effects carried over when participants were returned to their classroom.
Recommended Citation
Leichner, Jared., "Use of multisensory therapy by adolescents with co-occurring autism and profound intellectual disability" (2010). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2010 - 2019. 11.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_2/11
Extent
iv, 60 p : ill. (some col.)
Identifier
779475858
Comments
by Jared Leichner.