Autism support involves a wide range of therapies and interventions.
They differ not only in method, but in the amount of effort they demand and the return they offer.
Many commonly used approaches require:
lengthy and intensive therapist-led sessions
significant daily effort from parents (time, organisation, emotional load)
ongoing adaptations and special support from schools
considerable financial investment
Despite this collective effort, progress is often slow, limited or difficult to sustain.
Over time, this dynamic becomes demotivating and exhausting -for parents, therapists and educators alike- especially when everyone is working hard but meaningful change remains elusive.
This reality matters when comparing approaches.
QST was designed to address this exact problem.
It offers:
short, structured daily sessions
a clear therapeutic trajectory
realistic and transparent timelines
In practice, QST follows a predictable rhythm:
first changes within the first 3 months
consolidation over 6 months
deeper sensory and regulatory repair over 1 to 2 years, depending on the severity and depth of the child’s impairments
Early, repeatable changes -particularly in sensory processing and self-regulation- are commonly observed within the first three months.
These early shifts are reproducible, not incidental.
They restore motivation and direction:
parents feel encouraged to continue
therapists see confirmation of the mechanism
schools experience reduced strain
QST is not positioned as a replacement for all other therapies.
It is best understood as a foundation.
When sensory processing and physiological self-regulation stabilise:
physiotherapy becomes more effective
occupational therapy integrates faster
speech and communication therapy meet less resistance
developmental delays begin to close rather than accumulate
In clinical practice, it is often advisable to dedicate 3 to 6 months to QST before starting additional therapies, so that those interventions can build on a more stable nervous system.
When QST is applied first, other supports tend to yield faster and more durable results.
When starting any new therapy or intervention, a simple principle applies:
Work in a vacuum for three months.
If a method produces clear and meaningful change within that period, it is worth continuing.
If progress is minimal or absent despite consistent application, it is reasonable -and responsible- to reconsider.
QST consistently meets this three-month criterion when sensory and self-regulation impairments are present.
QST works on sensory processing and physiological self-regulation.
It focuses on:
the quality of sensory input reaching the nervous system
tactile sensory processing in particular
the nervous system’s capacity to organise, stabilise and recover
Changes in behaviour, attention, communication and social engagement are understood as downstream effects of improved sensory and regulatory function.
QST does not train behaviour, teach coping strategies or practise skills.
Behavioural approaches focus on observable behaviour.
They typically aim to:
increase desired behaviours
reduce unwanted behaviours
shape responses through reinforcement
Some children may show improvements in specific skills, particularly in structured contexts.
However:
sensory processing impairments remain unaddressed
tactile dysfunction is not repaired
regulation depends on the child’s tolerance of ongoing sensory load
When sensory input remains overwhelming or painful, behavioural gains may be fragile or context-dependent.
QST differs by addressing sensory and regulatory causes, not behavioural outcomes.
Educational and developmental approaches focus on:
learning
communication
cognitive development
social participation
They are most effective when the nervous system can remain regulated during engagement.
When sensory and self-regulation impairments are present, educational progress may stall despite skilled teaching.
QST aims to restore the sensory foundation that makes learning possible.
Occupational therapy often supports children by:
adapting environments
introducing sensory strategies
reducing sensory stress
These approaches help children cope with sensory challenges.
QST differs in that it aims to repair sensory processing itself, particularly tactile processing, rather than compensating for ongoing impairment.
Speech and communication therapies focus on:
expressive and receptive language
alternative communication methods
They do not address the sensory and regulatory conditions that limit:
attention
tolerance for interaction
sustained engagement
QST does not replace communication therapy, but often increases a child’s capacity to benefit from it.
Medical care addresses:
physical health
neurological conditions
seizures, sleep, pain
Supportive care helps families cope with daily demands.
QST does not replace medical care.
Medical stability is a prerequisite, not an alternative.
QST differs from most other approaches in three key ways:
Level of intervention
It works on sensory input and nervous system processing.
Mechanism of change
Change occurs through sensory repair and physiological regulation.
Direction of effect
Behavioural and functional improvements emerge as consequences, not targets.
QST differs by offering a structured, time-bound sensory intervention that reduces sensory load and supports faster progress in other therapies.
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QST is best understood as a foundation. When sensory processing stabilises, other therapies tend to be better tolerated and more effective.