The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 50 No. 8 - Persons with Intellectual Disabilities 3

Sensory Processing Difficulties in Persons with Autism – An Occupational Therapist’s Recommendations for General Practitioners (GPs)

Tang Wei Kiat
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 50 No 8 - Persons with Intellectual Disabilities 3
31 July 2024
0377-5305
The organisation of sensory information from the body and the environment, which allows a person to interact effectively with their physical and social environment, is the process of sensory processing. People who have difficulty processing and organising sensory information are said to have sensory processing difficulties. It is found that such difficulties are common among children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), affecting their social functioning and participation in meaningful activities in community spaces. In this article, the author recommends strategies that might be helpful for General Practitioners (GPs) to support persons with ASD, while attending to their medical needs. These include communication, self-regulation of GPs, and modification of the physical and social environment.