Commitment to Research
Research Archive
SPIRAL Foundation is committed to conducting research which aims to improve the lives of individuals with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and their families. Our research programs primarily contribute to improved understanding of SPD, assessment development and investigation of efficacy of treatment modalities.
If you have any questions about past or current SPIRAL Foundation research projects, or are interested in participating in any of the studies detailed below, please contact our Research Assistant Alison Teasdale at research@thespiralfoundation.org and (617) 969-4410 ext. 267. You may also contact our Research Coordinator, Olivia Easterbrooks-Dick at Olivia EasterbrooksDick
SPIRAL Foundation has an active research program dedicated to conducting research that supports understanding of sensory integration. On this page you will find summaries and resources on research projects and papers completed by the Spiral Foundation and its staff. It is not meant to be a comprehensive archive of sensory integration literature but a reference for work conducted by the SPIRAL Foundation and its members.
Adults with Sensory Processing Disorder
Cates, J., Laurendi, K., Rappaport, S., Rider, A., Stern, A., Koomar, J. Adult Sensory Sensitivities: Daily Occupations and Coping Strategies, Poster presented at the Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy.
May-Benson, T. (June, 2011). Understanding the occupational therapy needs of adults with sensory processing disorder. OT Practice,16(10). 13-18. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. A. (2009). An Intensive Integrated Sensory Integration- Based Occupational Therapy Intervention Program for Adults with Sensory Processing Disorder. OT Practice 14(10), 16-19. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Champagne, T. (2011). Occupational Therapy Using a Sensory Integration-Based Approach with Adult Populations. Bethesda, MD: The American Occupational Therapy Association. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Kinnealey, M. (2012). An approach to assessment of and intervention for adults with sensory processing disorder. OT Practice, 17(7), CE-1 – CE-8. [PDF]
Assessment Tools for Sensory Integration and Praxis
Lane, S. J., Ivey, C. K., & May-Benson, T. A. (2014). Test of Ideational Praxis (TIP): Preliminary findings and interrater and test–retest reliability with preschoolers. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(5), 555-561. [PDF]
Ivey, C. K., Lane, S. J., & May-Benson, T. A. (2014). Interrater reliability and developmental norms in preschoolers for the Motor Planning Maze Assessment (MPMA). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(5), 539-545. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Cermak, S. (2007). Development of an Assessment for Ideational Praxis. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 148-153. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Koomar, J. (2007). Identifying Gravitational Insecurity in Children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 142-147. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. Lauchlan, C., Salazar, M., Polshuk, H., Rogers, C., & Sherman, S. Ideational Praxis and Playfulness in Children With and Without ASD. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, April 1, 2017. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Friel, S. Relationships between Narrative Language Skills and Ideational Praxis in Children. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, March 31, 2017. [PDF]
May-Benson, T.A. & Teasdale, A. Inter-Rater Reliability and Test-Retest Reliability of the Sensory Integration Clinical Observations. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. April, 20 2018. [PDF]
Ayres Sensory Integration® as an Evidence-Based Intervention
May-Benson, T. A. (2012, September). Locating evidence for practice of occupational therapy using a sensory integration frame of reference. Sensory Integration Special Interest Section Quarterly, 35(3), 1–4. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. A., & Koomar, J. A. (2008). AOTA’s Centennial Vision and the sensory integration frame of reference. Sensory Integration Special Interest Section Quarterly, 31(1), 1–4. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. A., & Koomar, J. A. (2010). Evidenced-Based Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Sensory Integrative Intervention for Children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 64(3), 403-414; doi:10.5014/ajot.2010.09071. [PDF]
Schaaf, R.C., Benevides, T., Blanche, E.I., Brett-Green, B.A., Burke, J.P., Cohn, E.S., Koomar, J., Lane, S.J., Miller, L.J., May-Benson, T.A., Parham, D., & Schoen, S.A. (2010). Parasympathetic functions in children with sensory processing disorder. Frontiers of Integrative Neuroscience, 4(4). [PDF]
Schaaf, R. C., Burke, J. P., Cohn, E. C., May-Benson, T. A., Schoen, S., Roley, S. S., Lane, S. J., Parham, L. D., Mailloux, Z. (2014). The Issue Is: The State of Measurement in Occupational Therapy Using Sensory Integration. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. [PDF]
Schaaf, R., Dumont, R., Arbesman, M. & May-Benson, T. (2018). Efficacy of Occupational Therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(1).
Schaaf, R. C., Schoen, S., May-Benson, T. A., Parham, L. D., Lane, S. J., Roley, S. S., Mailloux, Z. (2015). State of the science: A roadmap for research in sensory integration. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69, 1-8. [PDF]
Schaaf, R. C., Schoen, S. A., Smith Roley, S., Lane, S. J., Koomar, J. A., & May-Benson, T. A. (2010). A frame of reference for sensory integration. In P. Kramer, & J. Hinojosa (Eds.), Frames of reference for pediatric occupational therapy (3rd ed., pp. 99). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Coping Skills and Sensory Integration
May-Benson, T. (2000, November 20). Examining Coping Skills in Children with Sensory Integration. OT Practice, American Occupational Therapy Association.
May-Benson, T. Sensory Processing and Coping Skills in Children with Sensory Integrative Dysfunction. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 16 – 20, 1999.
Development of the Adult/Adolescent Sensory History
Amin-Arsala, T., Dunwell, C., Smith-Howe, A., Valliere, E., Weber, B., May-Benson, T. A. Performance of Typical Adults on the Adult/Adolescent Sensory History. Poster presented at the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Norwood, MA, October 29, 2015.
Barker, M.S., Burke L.J., Easterbrooks-Dick, O.K., Kane, A. W., Savrann, J. N., & May-Benson, T. A. Concurrent Validity of the Adult/Adolescent Sensory History. Poster presented at the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Norwood, MA, November 7, 2014 and at the American Occupational Therapy Association, Nashville, TN, April 18, 2015. [PDF]
Holland, C. & May-Benson, T. Discriminant Validity of the Adult/Adolescent Sensory History. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association, Nashville, TN, April 17, 2015.
Development of the Fidelity Measure of Ayres Sensory Integration Intervention
May-Benson, T.A., et al. (2014). Inter-Rater Reliability and Discriminative Validity of the Structural Elements of the Ayres Sensory Integration® Intervention Fidelity Measure©. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 68(5), 506-513. Click for Link
May-Benson, T.A., Mailloux Z., Parham D., & Smith Roley S. Fidelity in Sensory Integration: Using Research to Guide Professional Practice and Development. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association, Baltimore, MD, April 3, 2014. [PDF]
Parham, L. D., Cohn, E., Spitzer, S., Koomar, J., Miller, L., Burke, J., Brett-Green, B., Mailloux, Z., May-Benson, T., et al. (2007). Fidelity in Sensory Integration Intervention Research. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 216-227.
Parham, L.D., Mailloux, Z., May-Benson, T.A., Smith Roley, S. Use of the Ayres Sensory Integration® Intervention Fidelity Measure to Teach Entry-Level and Post-Professional Students. Poster presented at the AOTA Educational Summit, Denver, CO. October 18, 2015. [PDF]
Parham, L. D., Roley, S. S., May-Benson, T. A., Koomar, J., Brett-Green, B., Burke, J. P., Cohn, E, S., Mailloux, Z., Miller, L., Schaaf, R. C., et al. (2011). Development of a Fidelity Measure for Research on Effectiveness of Ayres Sensory Integration ® Intervention. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65:133-142; doi:10.5014/ajot.2011.000745. [PDF]
Early Development, Play and Sensory Integration
May-Benson, T. Lauchlan, C., Salazar, M., Polshuk, H., Rogers, C., & Sherman, S. Ideational Praxis and Playfulness in Children With and Without ASD. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, April 1, 2017. [PDF]
Hung, M., Lin, N., Quinn, J., Savla, P., Smith, D., May-Benson, T.A. Jarrold, Boucher, and Smith Play Scenario: Inter-rater Reliability with Preschoolers. Poster presented at the Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy, Norwood, MA, October 29, 2015. [PDF]
May-Benson, T.A., Koomar, J.A., and Teasdale, A. (2009). Incidence of pre-, peri-, and post-natal birth and developmental problems of children with sensory processing disorder and children with autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers of Integrative Neuroscience, 3(31). [PDF]
May-Benson, T. Sensory Processing in Children with ADD and Sensory Integrative Dysfunction: A Comparison with Typical Peers. Poster presented at the Neurobehavioral Rehabilitation Research Center, Fifth Annual Research Colloquium, Boston University, Boston, MA, May 5, 1997.
FOCUS Program for Mealtime Success, Feeding and Eating
Goodrich, L. & May-Benson, T. The FOCUS Program – A Systematic and Comprehensive Approach to Improve Feeding Skills and Mealtime Participation. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, March 30, 2017. [Poster]
Goodrich, L. & May-Benson, T. The Role of Occupational Therapists in the Eating Disorder Community. Poster presented at American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, April 4, 2019 [Poster]
Goal Attainment Scaling
Mailloux, Z., May-Benson, T., et al. (2007). The Issue Is: Goal Attainment Scaling as a Measure of Meaningful Outcomes for Children with Sensory Integration Disorders. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 254-259. [PDF]
May-Benson, T.A., Schoen, S., Teasdale, A., Koomar, J. (2021). Inter-Rater Reliability of Goal Attainment Scaling with Children with Sensory Processing Disorder. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 9:1 [PDF]
Gravitational Insecurity
May-Benson, T. & Koomar, J. (2007). Identifying Gravitational Insecurity in Children. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 142-147. [PDF]
May-Benson, T.A. & Teasdale, A. The State of Understanding of Gravitational Insecurity: A Scoping Review. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. April, 19 2018. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. Teasdale, A., Gentile, . Gravitational Insecurity in Children. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association, Chicago, IL, April 8, 2016. [PDF]
May-Benson, T., Teasdale, A., Santos, W. Gravitational Insecurity in Adults. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association, Chicago, IL, April 8, 2016.
May-Benson, T., et al.. Normal Performance of 2-4 year old Children on a Gravitational Insecurity Assessment. Poster presented at the Neurobehavioral Rehabilitation Research Center, Second Annual Research Colloquium, Boston University, Boston, MA; Research Institute, Can-AM Occupational Therapy Association Conference, Boston, MA; Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Conference, Marlboro, MA. 1994.
Obesity, Physical Fitness and Sensory Integration
Cermak, S., Bandini, L., Song, L., Tybor, D., Curtin, C., Gleason, J., Teasdale, A., May-Benson, T., & Munoz, M. Body Mass Index in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Poster presented at the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Westford, MA, October 27, 2006. [PDF]
Gill, S. V., May-Benson, T. A., Teasdale, A., & Munsell, E. G. (2013). Birth and developmental correlates of birth weight in a sample of children with potential sensory processing disorder. BMC pediatrics, 13(1), 29. [PDF]
Parenting and Sensory Integration
Cohn, E., May-Benson, T., & Teasdale, A. (2011). The relationship between behaviors associated with sensory processing and parental sense of competence. OTJR: Occupation, Participation, Health. DOI: 10.3928/15394492-20110304-01. [PDF]
Cohn, E., Schub, J., Kramer, J., & May-Benson, T. (2014). Parents’ explanatory models and hopes for outcomes of occupational therapy using a sensory integration approach. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. [PDF]
Turner, K.A., Cohn, E.S., & Koomar, J. (2012) Mothering when mothers and children both have sensory processing challenges. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(10), 449-455.
Praxis: Ideational Praxis and Motor Planning
Ivey, C. K., Lane, S. J. & May-Benson, T. A. (2014). Inter-rater Reliability and Developmental Norms in Preschoolers for the Motor Planning Maze Assessment. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
Lane, S. J., Ivey, C. K., & May-Benson, T. A. (2014). Test of Ideational Praxis: Preliminary Findings, Inter-rater and Test-retest Reliability in Preschoolers. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. Inter-Rater Reliability of a Test of Ideational Praxis for Children. Poster presented at the Neurobehavioral Rehabilitation Research Center, Sixth Annual Research Colloquium, Boston University, Boston, MA, May 2, 1998.
May-Benson, T. & Cermak, S. (2007). Development of an Assessment for Ideational Praxis. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 148-153. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Friel, S. Relationships between Narrative Language Skills and Ideational Praxis in Children. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, March 31, 2017. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. Lauchlan, C., Salazar, M., Polshuk, H., Rogers, C., & Sherman, S. Ideational Praxis and Playfulness in Children With and Without ASD. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, April 1, 2017. [PDF]
SAFE PLACE, Sensory Integration, Trauma, Attachment and Mental Health
Holland, C. & May-Benson, T.A. (2014). Rationale for Integrating Attachment, Trauma, and Sensory Integration Theory: Spiral Foundation Self Study Series-Article. Newton, MA: Spiral Foundation. [Course]
May-Benson, T. (March 17, 2016). OTA The Koomar Center White Paper: A Sensory Integration-Based Perspective to Trauma-Informed Care for Children. Newton, MA: OTA the Koomar Center. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Sawyer, S. SAFE PLACE: A Collaborative Sensory Integration-Based Approach to Treating Trauma. The Rudd-REFCA 2016 Conference: New Worlds of Adoption & Foster Care: Thriving on the Frontline, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA, May 13, 2016. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Sawyer, S. SAFE PLACE: Research Summary. Poster presented at the Association for Occupational Therapy Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, April 20, 2018.
May-Benson, T. & Teasdale, A. (May 24, 2016). SAFE PLACE: Construct Validity Through Video Review – Project Summary. Newton, MA: The Spiral Foundation. [PDF]
May-Benson, T. & Teasdale, A. (April 13, 2017). The SAFE PLACE Program: A Program Review – Interim Project Summary. Newton, MA: The Spiral Foundation. [PDF]
Sensory-Based Interventions
Kimball, J. G. & May-Benson, T. A. (2013). Complementary Sensory-Based Interventions in Occupational Therapy Using a Sensory Integration Approach, OT Practice 18(22), CE-1-8.
May-Benson, T. A., Carley, K., Szklut, S., & Schoen, S. (2013, June). Sound therapy: A complementary intervention for individuals with sensory integration and processing disorders, part II. Sensory Integration Special Interest Section Quarterly, 36(2), 1–4. [PDF]
May-Benson, T., & Schoen, S. Effectiveness of the Integrated Listening System for Children with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder. Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association, San Diego, CA, April 25, 2013. [PDF]
Sensory Integration and Primates
Ingmanson, I. (2014, November). Project Holly: Can human-based behavioral therapy help a chimpanzee? Bridgewater Review, 33(2), 4 – 7.
Ingmanson, E.J., May-Benson, T. A., & Bauman, M. L. Behavioral Comparisons with Peers for a Young Adult Female Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes) following Application of Sensory Integration Therapy. Poster presented at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, St. Louis, MO, March 25-29, 2015. [PDF]
Ingmanson, E. J., May-Benson, T. A., Braccini, I., Hunnicutt, T., & Bauman M. L. Application of Human-Based Sensory Integration Therapy for Improving the Well-Being of a Captive Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Poster presented at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Portland, OR, April 11 – 15, 2012. [PDF]
Ingmanson, E. J., May-Benson, T. A., Braccini, S., Porton, I., & Bauman, M. L. Changes in Social Behavior Following the Application of Sensory-Integration Based Therapy in a Young Adult Female Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Poster presented at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Knoxville, TN, April 9 – 13, 2013. [PDF]
Ingmanson, E.J., May-Benson, T. A., Braccini, S., Porton, I., & Bauman, M. L. The Holly Project: Continuing Behavioral Changes in a Young Adult Female Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Identified with Sensory-Integration Difficulties. Poster presented at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, April 8 – 12, 2014. [PDF]
Ingmanson, E.J., May-Benson, T.A., Hunnicutt, T.,Braccini, S., Porton, I., & Bauman, M.L. Social Behavior and Proximity to Group Members in a Captive Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Identified with Sensory Integration Difficulties. Poster presented at the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Minneapolis, MN, April 13 – 16, 2011. [PDF]
Ingmanson, E.J., May-Benson, T.A., Hunnicutt, T., Porton, I., Weber, M.A., Pruett, Jr., J.R., Beversdorf, D.Q., & Bauman, M.L. Chimpanzee behavioral anomalies: possible sensory integration difficulties in a captive individual (Pan troglodytes). Poster presented at the 79th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 14-17, 2010. Abstract in American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Supplement 50:132-33. [PDF]
May-Benson, T.A., Ingmanson, E.J., Braccini, S., Porton, IQ, Hunnicutt, T. & Bauman, M.L. The Holly Project: Applying sensory integration theory and practice to improving occupational performance and well being of captive chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes). Poster presented at the American Occupational Therapy Association, Philadelphia, PA, April 14 – 17, 2011. [PDF]
Telehealth
Easterbrooks-Dick, O., & Teasdale, A. Research Brief. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness of a Sensory Integration Occupational Therapy Clinic Telehealth Program: A Program Review. [PDF]
What's the Prognosis for Adults Diagnosed with Sensory Processing Differences as Children?
May-Benson, T. A., Easterbrooks-Dick, O., & Teasdale, A. (2023). Exploring the Prognosis: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study of Children with Sensory Processing Challenges 8–32 Years Later. Children, 10(9), 1474. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10091474
May-Benson, T. A., Teasdale, A., & Easterbrooks-Dick, O. (2022). Relationship between childhood sensory processing differences and quality of life as adults. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 886833.