Sensory Processing Patterns in Children and Adults on the Autism Spectrum
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Date
2023-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Introduction: Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that manifests with differences in social-emotional reciprocity, nonverbal communication, and relationship development, along with restricted and repetitive behaviors and sensory processing issues (CDC, 2020). Although sensory atypicality is part of the diagnostic criteria for autism, there is limited research on sensory processing across the lifespan among those on the autism spectrum. This study examines sensory processing patterns in children and adults on the autism spectrum as compared to neurotypical children and adults.
Methods: The Short Sensory Profile (SSP), a parent-reported questionnaire used to measure sensory behaviors, was collected for 48 child participants (autism: n = 24; typically developing [TD]: n = 24). The Adolescent/Adult sensory profile (AASP), a self-report questionnaire about everyday sensory experiences, was completed by 48 adult participants (autism: n = 24; neurotypical [NT]: n = 24). Analysis of Variance (ANOVAs) was used to analyze group differences and Pearson's correlations were used to examine correlations between sensory processing and age.
Results: Children on the autism spectrum showed significant group differences in all SSP domains compared to the control group (p-values < .05). Adults on the autism spectrum had significant group differences in all four sensory quadrants as well as significant group differences in domain scores for activity level, visual, touch, and auditory processing (p-values < .05). For TD children, no domains significantly correlated with age, and in the autism group, taste/smell sensitivity (r = 0.479, p = 0.018) was the only domain that significantly correlated with age. For NT adults, taste/smell processing (r = -0.519, p = 0.009) and touch processing (r = -0.538, p = 0.007) were the only domains that significantly correlated with age, and low registration (r = -0.557, p = 0.005) was the only quadrant that significantly correlated with age. For autistic adults, no domains or quadrants significantly correlated with age.
Conclusions: The results suggest that both children and adults on the autism spectrum demonstrate greater sensory processing concerns than the control group. Given the continued persistence of sensory concerns in adulthood, there is a need for more research on strategies to support sensory processing across the lifespan.
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Keywords
Autism, Sensory Processing, Children, Adults