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♥ Qigong Sensory Therapy (QST) is an evidence-based, proven, touch-based autism intervention for children that parents perform daily with their child to effectively treat sensory issues and decrease symptoms of autism. QSTI (2014). Parents who give their children this simple, daily fifteen-minute massage see less tantrums and difficult behavior, and better language and social skills.
♥ Results are cumulative and can be apparent in as few as 30 days of treatment. QSTI (2014).
♥ QST is based on practices used in the East for thousands of years. QSTI (2014).
♥ QST is the intervention with the most positive outcomes for treating sensory challenges in children with autism. Bodison & Parham (2018).
Research shows that one of the main reasons for the developmental delays and behavioral problems
seen in children with autism is a sensory nervous system that is out of balance. The child doesn’t
respond to their own body and events in family life the same way the rest of the family does. Things that
should feel good, don’t (e.g. warm clothes, hugs from grandparents, good food), and things that should
hurt, don’t (e.g. cuts, scrapes, burns). As a result, the child doesn’t notice what is going on around them,
or they find it uncomfortable and try to avoid it. In both situations, they are missing out on normal,
everyday social learning, and their sensory problems cause them to react in ways that we interpret as
problem behavior.
In scientific research, QST has been proven to correct many of these sensory
problems. Within a few months, children are calmer, more aware of what is going on around them, and
more comfortable. As the sensory problems improve, children feel less stressed and confused, autistic
behavior decreases, and the child’s nervous system comes back into balance. Children are better able to
focus, pay attention and learn. Parents also feel less stressed caring for their child, and feel really good
that they can help their child catch up on their development.
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QST is unique in 3 ways:
- It improves all aspects of autism – sensory, behavioral, social and language. QSTI (2014).
- It is consistently effective for children with severe as well as mild autism. QSTI (2014).
- It effectively treats the sensory abnormalities in autism. QSTI (2014).
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Typical Outcomes of QST* include:
✓ Improved sleep
✓ Improved digestion (relief of constipation or diarrhea)
✓ Increase in appetite
✓ Helps with picky eating
✓ Counteracts toe walking
✓ Helps with potty training
✓ Restores normal sensation to the skin (reduces tactile defensiveness)
✓ Boosts the immune system
✓ Clears toxins from the organs and promotes organ health and function
✓ Improves receptive and expressive communication (speech and language)
✓ Promotes eye contact and social connections
✓ Promotes self-soothing and emotional regulation
✓ Reduces or eliminates self-injurious behaviour
✓ Increases tolerance for frustration and reduces aggressive behaviour
✓ Helps with transitions
✓ Increases attention/focus
✓ Improves learning
✓ Decreases parenting stress
✓ Autism severity can decrease by 10-30%
Silva (2011).
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*Success is dependent on parents’ commitment to provide the intervention daily at home and participate in training sessions with a QST Certified Trainer. Individual results may vary. Younger children (Age 6 and under) typically have better results but the intervention has been proven to be successful up to the age of 12 according to research published in scientific journals, and beyond the age of 12 with anecdotal results.
What is the QST Program at Discovering Abilities?
Occupational Therapists trained in QST meet with families once a week in clinic to teach parents to give QST to their child. Parents give QST to their child everyday for at least five months. During weekly visits the OT meets with families to review goals and progress, support parents and help them with any challenges they may have.
What do Parents Do?
♥ Complete intake and pre-test forms before starting QST and post-test forms 20 weeks later with the OT
♥ Learn the 12 QST movements
♥ Do QST with their child daily for a minimum of 5 months
♥ Attend weekly support and coaching visits with the OT for the first 20 weeks they
give QST to their child
♥ Learn from the OT how to modify QST based on their child’s responses
What do OTs Do?
♥Complete intake and pre-test forms before starting QST and post-test forms 20 weeks later with the parent
♥Teach parents the 12 QST movements
♥ Meet with the family once a week for the first 20 weeks to support and coach parents
♥ Help families with any challenges they may have at first
♥ Teach parents how to modify the massage as their child changes and improves
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What To Expect
♥ The intervention consists of a sequence of 12 different movements that are completed in a specific order. The movements are based on the principles of Chinese Medicine and Qigong, and have been developed specifically to treat sensory and self-regulation challenges in children with autism.
♥ QST is completed on the full body, over the clothing.
♥ For optimal results, 20 treatment sessions are typically required over a 5 month period.
♥ During treatment sessions, the occupational therapist, who is also a QST Certified Trainer, will provide the intervention to the child with parents participating, as well as train parents in how to provide the intervention with the correct form and attune it according to the child’s responses and changing needs.
♥ The first appointment will take approximately 1 hour and will include a sensory assessment (pre-test) of the child (including standardized assessments and a health history). During the next appointment (typically lasting 45 minutes), parents will be taught how to perform the intervention and the intervention will be introduced to the child by the occupational therapist.
♥ Subsequent appointments will take approximately 45 minutes and the child will receive the intervention by the occupational therapist and parents. Sessions will focus on parent training and modification of the intervention based on the child’s responses and progression.
♥ Post-testing will be completed at the end of the 20 therapy sessions in order to measure efficacy of the therapy and results will be provided to families.
♥ Parents are required to be present and participate during every visit. Reading materials and resources will be provided to parents prior to and during the intervention to help them understand and provide the intervention effectively.
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Additional Resources
Click the video below for a discussion on how QST works.
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It is highly recommended that parents purchase and read this manual prior to starting the intervention. The manual also contains access to a video demonstration that parents can watch.
QSTI:
https://www.qsti.org/product/qigong-massage-for-your-child-with-autism/
or
Amazon:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4gp9zUU
Kindle edition: https://amzn.to/46c5a4t
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Please visit qsti.org for further information about Qigong Sensory Therapy
References
QSTI (2014) About Qigong Sensory Treatment. QSTI. https://www.qsti.org/qigong-sensory-treatment/
Bodison, S. C., & Parham, L. D. (2018). Specific sensory techniques and sensory environmental modifications for children and youth with sensory integration difficulties: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72, 7201190040. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2018.029413
QSTI (2014) QST for Autism is a Breakthrough. QSTI. https://www.qsti.org
Silva L. (2011). Qigong massage for your child with autism: A home program from Chinese
medicine. Singing Dragon, London; Philadelphia
QSTI (2014) A Different Sense of Touch: Autism and Qigong Massage. QSTI. https://www.qsti.org/qst-autism-parent-resources.
Additional Research Studies:
Tal-Atzili, O., Salls, J. (2017). Qigong Sensory Training pilot study: A tactile home program for children with or at-risk for autism. Journal of Occupational Therapy,
Schools, & Early Intervention, DOI: 10.1080/19411243.2017.1325819
