Comparison of Functional Communication Training, Sensory Integration Therapy, and Behaviour Intervention for Challenging Behaviours in Children with Autism: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Introduction: Challenging behaviours are frequently observed in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), potentially hindering their daily functioning. As the prevalence of autism continues to rise, the array of challenging behaviours, including repetitive patterns, stereotypes, and self-harm, emphasizes the importance of developing effective interventions in occupational therapy. These interventions aim to manage these challenging behaviours and enhance the overall wellbeing and functionality of these children. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of Functional Communication Training (FCT), Sensory Integration Therapy (SIT), and Behavioural Interventions (BI) on challenging behaviours in children with ASD. Materials and Methods: An experimental study with prepost test design was conducted in the Paediatric Unit of the Department of Occupational Therapy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The duration of the study was nine months, from September 2020 to May 2021. A total of six (N=6) children selected through convenience sampling. The SIT took place at the paediatric unit of the occupational therapy department at SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Due to Coronavirus Disaese-2019 (COVID-19) restrictions, FCT and BI were conducted simultaneously at the participants’ homes. Outcomes were measured using Functional Behavioural Assessment (FBA) and the Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised (RBS-R). Within-group analysis involved utilising the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while between-group analysis entailed the application of the Kruskal-Wallis and one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 7.83±1.83 years. A significant reduction in challenging behaviours was seen in all six children in the three intervention groups when outcomes were measured using FBA (p<0.05). Among these interventions, BI proved to be the most effective in reducing the frequency of challenging behaviours in children with ASD, as evidenced by a mean post-test score of RBS-R (19.50±12.02 for BI, compared to 20±1.41 for SI and 23±11.31 for FCT, p=0.047). Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that all three interventions - SIT, FCT, and BI successfully decreased the occurrence of challenging behaviours in children with ASD.

Keywords

• maladaptive behaviours
• reinforcement
• self-injurious behaviour
• sensory processing
• stereotypy