The Wilbarger Protocol

The Wilbarger Protocol is a treatment that still has many fans.

In response to children who display sensory defensiveness from being oversensitive, the Wilbarger Protocol is designed to help reduce the discomfort and slowly help children become more used to touch. This practice is especially popular with autistic children.

History

The Wilbarger Protocol first appeared in Patricia and Julia Wilbarger's book "Sensory Defensiveness in Children Aged 2-12" and was displayed as a way to help combat sensory defensiveness in children. This practice is widely used by many occupational therapists trained in sensory integration.

Application

The Wilbarger Protocol involves brushing that takes place every two hours for 2 to 3 minutes. Brushing applies pressure to the skin using a surgical brush and is similar to getting a deep massage.This goes on for two weeks, at which point the recommendation is to re-evaluate how often the treatment is needed based on progress.

Scientific Research

As of 2010, little scientific research is available to confirm or deny the effectiveness of the Wilbarger Protocol for autistic children in dealing with sensory defensiveness. The lack of valid scientific research is considered one of the major downsides of this method.

Misconceptions

Many people believe the Wilbarger Protocol only lasts two weeks, but this is not the case. The initial treatment lasts two weeks, then is adjusted based on the individual progress each child displays.

References

• The Therapy Place: Ask the Expert: The Wilbarger Protocol for Sensory Defensiveness
• Sensory Processing Disorder: Wilbarger Deep Pressure Protocol
• National Autism Resources: The Wilbarger Protocol