Metacognitive Self-regulated Learning and Sensory Integrative Approaches for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are increasing each year. There are about 1 in 160 children for the age group of 6-12 years old in Australia are diagnosed with ASD. Children with ASD have impairment in two common areas including: i) social and communication and ii) repetitive and stereotypical patterns of behaviours. These common features result in behavioural problems which negatively impact children's participation in school, activities of daily living and social engagement. Therefore, there is a need for effective interventions to overcome the behavioural problems in children with ASD. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of sensory integration (SI) and self-regulated learning versus an activity-based control programme in reducing behavioural problems in children with ASD that interfere with their daily livings, school, and social engagement. The study will adopt a randomized controlled trial design with three intervention groups: I) self-regulated learning, II) sensory integration and III) activity-based intervention as the control group.