Sensory and Motor Functioning in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Giulia Savarese, Aldo Diavoletto, Rosa Mandia, Giovanna Stornaiuolo, Luna Carpinelli, Mario Piscitelli, Francesca Impemba, Annatania Di Siervi, Alessandro Vertullo, Franca Bottiglieri, Marianna Sessa, Giulio Corrivetti, Mario Ambrosone
This study investigates the contribution of multisensory environments to the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on sensory functioning and the most widely used assessment tools in clinical practice. Following a systematic review of international literature on sensory profiles and assessment instruments, an action-research project was carried out in the Motor-Sensory Room of the «Giovamente» Cooperative in Salerno, in collaboration with the University of Salerno and the Salerno Local Health Authority (ASL Salerno). The sample consisted of 44 children diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. Pre- and post-intervention assessments, conducted using the PEP-3 and Sensory Profile-2, showed significant improvements in sensory modulation, motor coordination, personal autonomy, and verbal communication. The results support the effectiveness of multimodal therapeutic approaches based on structured sensory stimulation and integrated motor activities, highlighting the potential of sensory-motor rooms as innovative and inclusive intervention settings. Although methodological limitations related to the small sample size and the absence of a control group are acknowledged, the preliminary data provide encouraging evidence of the positive impact of multisensory environments on the overall well-being and functional adaptation of children with ASD.
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorder, Multisensory environments, Sensory processing, Sensory profile, Assessment tools, Rehabilitative interventions, Action research.
