The results suggest that clinicians should include observations of stereotyped behaviors, particularly behavioral rigidities, in conjunction with assessments of sensory defensiveness because these are related phenomena that may pose unique challenges for children with developmental disabilities and autism. Further study is needed to determine the causal mechanisms responsible for these relationships.

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This study describes the relative prevalence of sensorydefensive behaviors in a large sample of children and adults with developmental disabilities and provides empirical evidence for a construct of sensory defensiveness comprised of two subtypes. AbstractLittle empirical data about the nature oftactile defensiveness and other types of sensory defensiveness are available. Clinicians speculate that these various phenomena are related as partof the more general construct ofsensory defensiveness. Furthermore, although it is suspected that these behaviors are prevalent in persons with developmental disabilities, no estimates are currently available. This study used data from a 54-item