Schaaf Research

Contact

Name: Roseann Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L
Position: Professor

901 Walnut Street
6th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Contact Number(s):

Highlighted Publications

Schaaf, R. C., Benevides, T., Mailloux, Z., Faller, P., Hunt, J., van Hooydonk, E., ... & Kelly, D. (2014). An intervention for sensory difficulties in children with autism: A randomized trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders44(7), 1493-1506.

This randomized trial compared a manualized occupational therapy intervention that follows Ayres sensory integration principals to usual care for treating sensory difficulties in children with autism, ages 4-8. Children in the treatment group had significantly higher gains than the usual care group in meeting functional goals (as measured by the Goal Attainment Scale), needing less caregiver assistance in self-care and social activities, and improving skills in these areas. Findings support the use of the intervention for children with autism.  

Schaaf, R. C., & Lane, A. E. (2015). Toward a best-practice protocol for assessment of sensory features in ASD. Journal of autism and developmental disorders45(5), 1380-1395.

Given that sensory difficulties are now included in the DSM-V as a commonly occurring manifestation of autism spectrum disorders, guidelines for comprehensive assessment of sensory features are needed. This paper provides information on sensory development, the relationship of sensory features to core symptoms of autism, and gives recommendations for clinical assessment of sensory features in light of current assessment practices. 

Faller, P., Hunt, J., van Hooydonk, E., Mailloux, Z., & Schaaf, R. (2016). Application of Data-Driven Decision Making using Ayres Sensory Integration® with a child with autism. American Journal of Occupational Therapy70(1), 7001220020p1-7001220020p9.

This study compared autonomic nervous system activity during sensory stimulation in 59 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 30 typically developing children. Results of multivariate comparisons suggest participants with ASD have different patterns of parasympathetic responses from sensory stimulation. Significant differences in parasympathetic responses, particularly respiratory sinus arrhythmia across sensory stimuli (p=0.02) and from domain to domain (p=0.01) were found, but there were no significant differences in pre-ejaculation period sympathetic activity between groups. Implications for ASD research are discussed. 

Schaaf, R. C., Benevides, T. W., Leiby, B. E., & Sendecki, J. A. (2015). Autonomic dysregulation during sensory stimulation in children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders45(2), 461-472.

This study compared autonomic nervous system activity during sensory stimulation in 59 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 30 typically developing children. Results of multivariate comparisons suggest participants with ASD have different patterns of parasympathetic responses from sensory stimulation. Significant differences in parasympathetic responses, particularly respiratory sinus arrhythmia across sensory stimuli (p=0.02) and from domain to domain (p=0.01) were found, but there were no significant differences in pre-ejaculation period sympathetic activity between groups. Implications for ASD research are discussed. 

Recent Publications

Use of sensory adaptive environments with autistic children: A scoping review

Examining the latent structure and correlates of sensory reactivity in autism: a multi-site integrative data analysis by the autism sensory research consortium

A working taxonomy for describing the sensory differences of autism

Sensory Phenotypes in Autism: Making a Case for the Inclusion of Sensory Integration Functions

Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration® Praxis Tests: Construct Validity and Internal Reliability

Caregivers' views on cannabis use for their children with autism

Neurophysiological Correlates of Sensory-Based Phenotypes in ASD

Forwarding the Science of Sensory Features in Autism and Related Conditions

Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) Tactile Perception Tests: Construct Validity and Internal Reliability

Notes from an epicenter: navigating behavioral clinical trials on autism spectrum disorder amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the Bronx

A Parent Guidebook for Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®

Occupational Therapy Using Ayres Sensory Integration®: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Brazil

Response: Commentary: Evaluating Sensory Integration/Sensory Processing Treatment: Issues and Analysis

Evaluation of MealSense©: A Sensory Integration–Based Feeding Support Program for Parents

EASI Praxis Tests: Age Trends and Internal Consistency

Looking for consistency in an uncertain world: test-retest reliability of neurophysiological and behavioral readouts in autism

Choosing Performance-Based Outcome Measures of Daily Living Skills and Socialization for Clinical Trials in Autistic Children

Evaluation in Ayres Sensory IntegrationVR (EASI) Vestibular and Proprioceptive Tests: Construct Validity and Internal Reliability

Cultural adaptation of the evaluation in ayres sensory integration® (easi) for spanish-speaking populations

Sensory Features as a Marker of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Ayres Sensory Integration Meets Criteria for an Evidence-Based Practice: A Response to Stevenson [2019]

Neural foundations of ayres sensory integration®

Occupational therapy interventions for children and youthwith challenges in sensory integration and sensory processing: A clinic-based practice case example

Occupational therapy interventions for children and youthwith challenges in sensory integration and sensory processing: A school-based practice case example

A systematic review of ayres sensory integration intervention for children with autism