Art Therapy’s Scope to Address Impaired Attachment in Children With ASD and Comorbid SID

Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SID) is a core deficit of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that is associated with high levels of anxiety and dysregulation, which may contribute to impaired attachment. This article explicates current discourse on the relationship between SID and attachment for children with ASD. Art therapy is uniquely able to address both SID and attachment concurrently by promoting sensory regulation through art materials and employing a combination of kinesthetic and non-verbal processes within a relational context. A case vignette illustrates how an art therapist can tackle SID and facilitate attachment in a child with ASD.