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In April 2016 Manchester eScholar was replaced by the University of Manchester’s new Research Information Management System, Pure. In the autumn the University’s research outputs will be available to search and browse via a new Research Portal. Until then the University’s full publication record can be accessed via a temporary portal and the old eScholar content is available to search and browse via this archive.

A Case Study Investigation into the Sensory Needs of Children and Young People with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) within an Educational Context.

Hughes, Alison

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2014.

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Abstract

A number of studies have reported that many children with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) experience unusual responses to sensory stimuli, however it is argued that there is a lack of conceptual understanding regarding this phenomenon and an underdeveloped evidence base regarding appropriate support for these responses within an educational context. Despite this, practitioners from a range of professions are called upon to offer consultation, advice and intervention. Therefore, the present study sought to qualitatively explore the experiences of these professionals with regards to the sensory needs of children with ASC within an educational setting.An exploratory single-embedded case study design was adopted. Two Specialist Teachers, two Educational Psychologists (specialists in ASC) and two Occupational Therapists were recruited opportunistically and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant, resulting in six interviews. Each interview was audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis and the findings presented as three thematic maps according to research question.Six organising themes were identified for Research Question 1: conceptualisations, assessment, defining unusual sensory responses, pragmatism, impact at school and professionals’ roles. Three organising themes arose from the data for Research Question 2: interventions, differences between special and mainstream, and efficacy. The data from the interviews yielded two organising themes for Research Question 3: barriers and facilitators.The study extends conceptual understanding by presenting a proposed Interactive Factors Framework (IFF) for unusual sensory responses in children with ASC. A number of recommendations for supporting children with ASC and unusual sensory responses within educational settings are also proposed. Implications for professionals supporting the sensory needs of children with ASC are discussed with reference to the pragmatic issues involved in translating a developing evidence base into practice.

Bibliographic metadata

Type of resource:
Content type:
Administered thesis
Form of thesis:
Traditional
Type of submission:
Doctoral level ETD - final
Thesis title:
A Case Study Investigation into the Sensory Needs of Children and Young People with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) within an Educational Context.
Degree type:
Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology
Degree programme:
Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology
Publication date:
2014-08-19T19:38:14
Institution:
The University of Manchester
Location:
Manchester, UK
Total pages:
267
Abstract:
A number of studies have reported that many children with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) experience unusual responses to sensory stimuli, however it is argued that there is a lack of conceptual understanding regarding this phenomenon and an underdeveloped evidence base regarding appropriate support for these responses within an educational context. Despite this, practitioners from a range of professions are called upon to offer consultation, advice and intervention. Therefore, the present study sought to qualitatively explore the experiences of these professionals with regards to the sensory needs of children with ASC within an educational setting.An exploratory single-embedded case study design was adopted. Two Specialist Teachers, two Educational Psychologists (specialists in ASC) and two Occupational Therapists were recruited opportunistically and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant, resulting in six interviews. Each interview was audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis and the findings presented as three thematic maps according to research question.Six organising themes were identified for Research Question 1: conceptualisations, assessment, defining unusual sensory responses, pragmatism, impact at school and professionals’ roles. Three organising themes arose from the data for Research Question 2: interventions, differences between special and mainstream, and efficacy. The data from the interviews yielded two organising themes for Research Question 3: barriers and facilitators.The study extends conceptual understanding by presenting a proposed Interactive Factors Framework (IFF) for unusual sensory responses in children with ASC. A number of recommendations for supporting children with ASC and unusual sensory responses within educational settings are also proposed. Implications for professionals supporting the sensory needs of children with ASC are discussed with reference to the pragmatic issues involved in translating a developing evidence base into practice.
Keyword(s):
Thesis main supervisor(s):
Thesis co-supervisor(s):
Thesis advisor(s):
Degree grantor:
Language:
en

Institutional metadata

University researcher(s):
Academic department(s):

Record metadata

Manchester eScholar ID:
uk-ac-man-scw:231646
Created by:
Hughes, Alison
Created:
19th August, 2014, 18:38:16
Last modified by:
Hughes, Alison
Last modified:
9th December, 2014, 10:18:45

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