Talk to parents of children with special needs, and many will tell you that meeting their child’s sensory needs remains a daily struggle. India has occupational therapy, speech therapy and sports-based interventions, but where can families turn for specialised, evidence-informed support focused entirely on sensory challenges? Why does finding the right help remain such a struggle for so many parents?
A child puts hands over his ears when a pressure cooker sounds. Another find sounds and lights of the mall challenging. Some children find some foods difficult because of textures, while some crave motion. For parents of autistic children, the sensory issues experienced by their children may be problematic in terms of performing daily tasks, including eating, dressing, learning, and socializing.
Occupational therapy and sensory-related therapies might prove effective in dealing with some children’s issues. Yet, accessing qualified professionals, cost-effective, and scientifically based treatment may still be a problem for some Indian parents.
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India has sensory integration centres, but are they delivering effective care? Without national data on assessments, treatment quality and outcomes, families are left questioning whether their time, money and trust are translating into real progress.
A sensory room is not enough
Swings, trampolines, balance equipment and textured toys are common features of sensory therapy rooms. But equipment alone does not establish the quality or effectiveness of an intervention.
The American Occupational Therapy Association recommends that sensory-based interventions be supported by documented assessment findings identifying a child’s sensory processing or integration difficulties. Treatment should be tailored to the individual rather than applied uniformly.
A child who is overwhelmed by loud sounds may need different support from one who seeks constant movement. Another may benefit from practical adjustments to mealtimes, clothing, classroom environments or personal care.
Parents should receive clear explanations of their child’s assessed needs, the goals of therapy, the expected benefits and how progress will be reviewed. If an intervention is not helping, the plan should be reconsidered.
What international evidence tells us
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends considering individualised, play-based social-communication interventions for autistic children, adapted to their developmental level and involving parents, carers or teachers where appropriate.
More specifically, the UK-funded SenITA trial examined sensory integration therapy in 138 autistic children aged four to 11 with sensory processing difficulties.
Published in 2022, the randomised controlled trial found no significant advantage over usual care on its primary outcome of irritability at six months. It also found no significant overall benefits across several other measured outcomes.
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However, families and therapists reported improvements in some individualised goals. The findings do not establish that sensory support never helps; they demonstrate the importance of evaluating specific interventions and being realistic about what they can achieve.
For India, the lesson is that therapy should not be judged by the appearance of a specialised room or the number of sessions completed, but by whether it helps a child participate more comfortably in everyday life.
Why access remains a concern in India
Research on autism care in India has documented challenges such as delayed diagnosis, fragmented referral pathways, financial pressures and difficulties accessing rehabilitation services. These problems can make it harder for families to identify appropriate support and sustain treatment.
However, evidence specifically measuring the quality, availability and affordability of sensory integration therapy across India remains limited. It would therefore be inaccurate to conclude that all centres provide inadequate care.
The larger concern is whether families have enough information to distinguish qualified, individualised services from programmes whose benefits, costs and goals are not clearly explained.
What should parents look for?
Before starting therapy, parents should ask whether the practitioner has recognised occupational therapy qualifications and relevant specialist training, whether an assessment has been conducted, and how treatment goals will be measured.
Goals should relate to meaningful everyday activities, such as eating, dressing, sleeping, learning or participating in family life. Parents should also receive practical guidance for supporting their child at home and understand when a treatment plan may need to change.
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Beyond the sensory room
India needs better information about the availability of sensory therapy services, professional training, treatment costs and outcomes. Greater transparency and stronger coordination between therapists, families, schools and healthcare professionals could help parents make informed decisions.
The challenge is not simply to create more sensory rooms, but to ensure that children receive appropriate support from qualified professionals. Every family deserves a clear explanation of what a therapy aims to achieve, what evidence supports it and how its benefits will be assessed.
Key references: American Occupational Therapy Association’s sensory integration guidance; NICE autism guidelines; and the UK’s 2022 SenITA randomised controlled trial.)
