in autism, "common sense" initiation should dominate and precede the "other sensory regulation" Dr Kondekar insists every therapy or sensory activity should be sensible towards cognition than just sensory satisfaction.
We Don’t Need “Sensory Experts” — We Need Sensible Experts for Non-Verbal Autism
Poor sense of awareness is a constant feature in autism (A1+A2=A3), and this creates sensory issues, which is an accesory feature
in autism, "common sense" initiation should dominate and precede the "other sensory regulation" Dr Kondekar insists every therapy or sensory activity should be sensible towards cognition than just sensory satisfaction.
Many modern autism intervention programs focus heavily on sensory therapies such as swings, brushing, trampoline exercises, ball pits, and repetitive motor activities. While these activities may temporarily calm or entertain a child, they rarely address the core difficulty in autism — communication and language development.
Autism is fundamentally a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting communication, understanding, and social interaction. Sensory issues can occur in autism, but they are not the core defining feature of the disorder. Read concept of autism as a sensory model : click here
According to diagnostic frameworks, autism is characterized mainly by two domains:
1. Social communication difficulties
2. Restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRB)
Sensory behaviours fall within the RRB domain and represent only one of the four types of RRB patterns seen in autism. These include:
• repetitive movements or speech
• insistence on sameness or routines
• restricted interests
• sensory sensitivities or sensory seeking behaviours
This means sensory issues are only one possible feature among several, and not every child with autism has significant sensory dysregulation. Therefore, it is incorrect to assume that every autistic child requires sensory therapy.
Unfortunately, in many therapy settings, children with autism are automatically referred to sensory-based interventions, even when the primary problem is lack of language understanding and communication. This can divert valuable therapy time away from what the child actually needs.
A sensory expert may spend long sessions on activities like swinging, jumping, climbing, balancing, or ball play. These activities stimulate the body and increase arousal or excitement, but they often do not help the child develop language, comprehension, or meaningful communication.
In contrast, a sensible expert recognizes that the most important developmental goal for a non-verbal child is to build verbal understanding. This requires structured interaction such as:
• sitting-based activities
• language-rich communication
• imitation and response training
• naming objects and actions
• guided interaction during daily routines
When children develop verbal understanding, many behavioural difficulties naturally reduce. A large proportion of tantrums, irritability, and hyperactivity arise from frustration due to inability to communicate needs or understand instructions.
Excessive sensory stimulation may sometimes increase physical arousal and movement seeking, which can actually reduce sustained attention and learning readiness. Children may become more interested in movement-based rewards than in communication-based interaction.
A sensible autism therapist therefore prioritizes:
• language exposure and comprehension
• structured sitting and attention building
• communication attempts and interaction
• thinking and understanding
Physical or sensory activities may still have a role, but they should be short, purposeful, and supportive, rather than becoming the central focus of therapy.
The ultimate goal of intervention is that the child develops enough language and understanding to regulate behaviour using thoughts, communication, and reasoning.
In simple terms:
Sensory stimulation may entertain the body.
Language teaching develops the mind.
For children with non-verbal autism, what they truly need are sensible experts who build communication and understanding — not sensory experts who only stimulate the body.
Director — AAKAAR Clinic Child Development Center
Mumbai, India
📞 9869405747
🌐 www.autismdoctor.in
for all post links click https://speechandsenses.blogspot.com/p/httpsspeechandsenses.html for autism ADHD speech delay behaviour disorders epilepsy learning disability
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