Research studies on sensory issues in autism, including those based on questionnaires, autobiographical accounts, retrospective video observations and early experimental approaches are reviewed in terms of their strengths and limitations. We present a cognitive neuroscience theoretical perspective on multisensory integration and propose that this…

During visually guided grasping movements, visual information is transformed into motor commands. This transformation is known as the "visuomotor map." To investigate limitations in the short-term plasticity of the visuomotor map in normal humans, we studied the maximum grip aperture (MGA) during the reaching phase while subjects grasped objects…

In the cutaneous rabbit effect (CRE), a tactile event (so-called attractee tap) is mislocalized toward an adjacent attractor tap. The effect depends on the time interval between the taps. The authors delivered sequences of taps to the forearm and asked participants to report the location of one of the taps. The authors replicated the original CRE…

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID), a sensory processing problem that afflicts about 15% of children, sets many children on a developmental trajectory of emotional and social problems. Children with SID often unintentionally alienate parents, peers, and teachers in their efforts to modify the amounts of sensory stimulation they receive. They…

Patients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, show impaired integration of information across different senses. The processing-level from which this impairment originates, however, remains unclear. We investigated low-level integration of auditory and visual stimuli in subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorder. High-functioning adult subjects…

The papers included here are based on a 1971 symposium held at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association in San Francisco. The first three papers report the results of research carried out over the last few years at the Wisconsin Research and Development Center for Cognitive Learning. Levin's paper focuses on the effectiveness of…

First, third, and fifth graders made judgments of the geographical slant of surfaces depicted in photographs while optical slant and postural orientation were manipulated. The results indicated the existence of a linear mechanism which compensates for the effect of postural inclination. (JMB)

Professional advocacy as a means to promote occupational therapy services is discussed. Sensory integration is the focus, but the process discussed is valuable for promoting any aspect of occupational therapy. Examples of providing occupational therapy to children in a public school setting illustrate the process. (Author/KM)

A critical review of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons found inadequate experimental design and statistical procedures to support use of this therapy and interpretation of research results. (Author/DB)

In a response to a critique of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons, the article suggests that better research on the variety of variables involved is needed and that clinicians should not cease using an apparently successful program. (DB)

In a response to a critique of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons, the article suggests that the research of the authors of the critique is subject to the same criticisms leveled by them at sensory integration therapy. (DB)

In a response to a critique of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons, the article provides a detailed chart of mistakes, selective statements, distortions, and evidence of poor scholarship on the part of the authors of the critique. (DB)

In a response to a critique of studies on the use of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons, the article suggests that the original authors should have encouraged professionals using this therapy to systematically evaluate outcomes rather than discouraging them from using the therapy. (DB)

The article is in response to critiques of the authors' review of the literature on the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy with mentally retarded persons. After responding to the individual criticisms, the authors encourage research into the specific mechanisms functioning to produce effects and how such mechanisms relate to proposed…