Structured Abstract

Contents

• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Key Informants
• Technical Expert Panel
• Peer Reviewers
• Introduction
  • Background
  • Scope and Key Questions
  • Analytic Framework
  • Uses of This Evidence Report
• Methods
  • Topic Surveillance and Review Protocol
  • Literature Search Strategy
  • Data Synthesis
  • Risk of Bias Assessment of Individual Studies
  • Determining Overall Risk of Bias Ratings
  • Applicability
  • Strength of the Body of Evidence
  • Peer Review and Public Commentary
• Results
  • Results of Literature Searches for Key Questions
  • Key Question 1. Benefits and Harms of Interventions Targeting Sensory Challenges
  • Key Question 2. Modifiers of Treatment Outcomes
  • Key Question 3. Time to Effect of Interventions
  • Key Question 4. Evidence That Effects Measured at the End of Treatment Predict Long-Term Functional Outcomes
  • Key Question 5. Effectiveness Across Environments or Contexts
  • Key Question 6. Drivers of Treatment Outcomes
• Discussion
  • State of the Literature
  • Summary of Key Findings and Strength of the Evidence
  • Applicability
  • Implications for Clinical and Policy Decisionmaking
  • Limitations of the Comparative Effectiveness Review Process
  • Limitations of the Evidence Base
  • Research Gaps and Areas for Future Research
  • Conclusions
• References
• Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Appendix A. Detailed Methods
• Appendix B. Search Strategies
• Appendix C. Screening and Quality Assessment Forms
• Appendix D. Excluded Studies
• Appendix E. Risk of Bias Ratings
• Appendix F. Applicability of Findings
• Appendix G. Detailed Table of Findings

Suggested citation:

Weitlauf AS, Sathe NA, McPheeters ML, Warren Z. Interventions Targeting Sensory Challenges in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder—An Update. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 186. (Prepared by the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2015-00003-I.) AHRQ Publication No. 17-EHC004-EF. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; May 2017. www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/final.cfm. doi: https://doi.org/10.23970/AHRQEPCCER186.-->

This report is based on research conducted by the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) under contract to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Rockville, MD (Contract No. 290-2015-00003-I). The findings and conclusions in this document are those of the authors, who are responsible for its contents; the findings and conclusions do not necessarily represent the views of AHRQ. Therefore, no statement in this report should be construed as an official position of AHRQ or of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

None of the investigators have any affiliations or financial involvement that conflicts with the material presented in this report.

The information in this report is intended to help health care decisionmakers—patients and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers, among others—make well-informed decisions and thereby improve the quality of health care services. This report is not intended to be a substitute for the application of clinical judgment. Anyone who makes decisions concerning the provision of clinical care should consider this report in the same way as any medical reference and in conjunction with all other pertinent information, i.e., in the context of available resources and circumstances presented by individual patients.

AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human Services endorsement of any derivative products that may be developed from this report, such as clinical practice guidelines, other quality enhancement tools, or reimbursement or coverage policies, may not be stated or implied.

This report may periodically be assessed for the currency of conclusions. If an assessment is done, the resulting surveillance report describing the methodology and findings will be found on the Effective Health Care Program Web site at www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov. Search on the title of the report.

1

5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857; www​.ahrq.gov