Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. Youth who reside in congregate-care foster homes are at greater risk of developing physical, emotional, and behavioral problems. Many of these children could benefit from OT services but are not yet identified because of a lack of assessment. Data from this study suggest sensory modulation challenges are common in this population and may contribute to observed behavior problems. Critical information is provided to advocate for OT services in the foster care system. Primary Author and Speaker: Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth Additional Authors and Speakers: Sarah A. Schoen Contributing Authors: Tessa Burt

OBJECTIVE. We examined problem behavior in preschool- and school-age children with autism spectrum disorder and assessed whether sensory processing dysfunction (SPD) and parenting stress were differentially associated with problem behaviors in these groups of children. METHOD. Participants were 101 preschool- and 61 school-age children. An independent t test was used to examine group differences in problem behaviors. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were conducted to identify associations among SPD, parenting stress, and problem behaviors. RESULTS. Preschool children had more social withdrawal than school-age children. Moderately negative correlations were found between SPD and problem behaviors among preschool children. Parenting stress was a factor associated with problem behaviors in both groups, whereas SPD was a factor specific to preschoolers. CONCLUSION. Understanding unique problem behaviors and the significant role of SPD and parenting stress in problem behaviors could help occupational therapy clinicians plan interventions accordingly.

OBJECTIVE. This study describes the sensory-processing and behavior profiles of a clinic-referred sample of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and examines the relationship between sensory processing and behavior. METHODS. Outcomes on the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for 44 children, ages 5 to 10 years, were assessed and compared using retrospective data analysis. RESULTS. A high proportion of the children demonstrated deficits in sensory processing and problem behaviors as measured by the SSP and the CBCL. Moreover, the correlation between the SSP and CBCL total scores (r = −.72) was significant. CONCLUSION. Results provide evidence that children with FASD demonstrate problem behaviors and sensory-processing impairments as reported by parents and that sensory-processing deficits co-occur with problem behaviors at a high rate in this population. This finding suggests that deficits in sensory processing may affect the ability of children with FASD to respond adaptively to their environments.

One of the most difficult problems confronting occupational therapists, teachers, and parents in dealing with latency-age learning-disabled children is handling oppositional behavior. Pre-adolescent boys, in particular, frequently have difficulty working cooperatively in a group, relating to peers, staying with a task, and seeing the consequences of their actions. This paper provides a rationale for treatment of children in groups and describes the development and early results of an activity group approach to counseling learning-disabled children with behavior problems using Gazda’s developmental model. Group members showed improved ability to relate with siblings and peers; more mature and cooperative behavior; greater independence and impulse control; and increased verbal expression of anger. Parent and teacher feedback on behavior changes was positive.