Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 72 (Member's Dashboard) | Page 37

SENSORY Sensory Enrichment Therapy: A New Approach By Claudie POMARES Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have sensory issues. They may be sensory-seeking, or they may be sensory-avoiding or even a little of both. For children living with autism, some textures can be very irritating. Sounds, crowds, lights, or smells can upset them. M any sensory approaches already aim to help in this area, and that is great. It is a good idea to develop a senso- ry plan for your child to help him/her be more comfortable. One approach is to keep the child isolated from the sensory stimulation that is upsetting. Another approach is to give the child what seems to soothe and satisfy him/her. Some sensory approach- es also try to expose a child to different sensory stim- ulations repeatedly so he/she can get used to them, 38 | Autism Parenting Magazine | Issue 72 hoping to reduce the child’s negative response over time. New approach for improved brain function Sensory Enrichment Therapy (SET), not to be con- fused with Sensory Integration Therapy, is a new sensory approach that comes from an entirely differ- ent perspective. Although SET is effective at helping children with autism regulate their sensory-seek- ing and sensory-avoiding behaviors, that is not the