Autonomic and Behavioral Responses of Children With Autism to Auditory Stimuli

Abstract

OBJECTIVES. We examined whether children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) differ in autonomic activity at rest and in response to auditory stimuli and whether behavioral problems related to sounds in everyday life are associated with autonomic responses to auditory stimuli.METHOD. We measured skin conductance (SC) at rest and in response to auditory stimuli as well as behavioral responses using the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) Home Form. Participants were 25 children with ASD and 25 typically developing (TD) children, aged 5-12 yr.RESULTS. The ASD group had significantly higher resting SC and stronger SC reactivity to tones than the TD group. Correlations between SC and SPM indicated that more severe auditory behavioral difficulties were associated with higher sympathetic activation at rest and stronger sympathetic reactivity to sound. CONCLUSION.High sympathetic reactivity to sound may underlie the difficult behavioral responses to sound that children with ASD often demonstrate.

Respiratory and autonomic dysfunction in children with autism spectrum disorders

“…We therefore expect the results to be comparable. Children with ASD tend to be in the hyperarousal state [3,5] and may have a greater response to novel test environment which could partly explain the higher percentages of some of the respiratory dysrhythmias. However, periodic breathing like Biot's breathing is known to be associated with brainstem dysfunction as discussed above.…”

“…Recent studies also indicate a similar link between dysautonomia and sensory disintegration in children with ASD [5]. Sensory disintegration is frequently reported as a symptom in ASD, often manifesting as atypical responses to sensation [6,7].…”

Relationship Between Cardiac Autonomic Regulation and Auditory Mechanisms: Importance for Growth and Development

“…A intensidade típica usada para provocar o reflexo de sobressalto é de 110 dB e a intensidade é muito mais alta que o ruído ambiente. No entanto, as respostas de aceleração cardíacas habitualmente apresentados durante os ensaios foram observadas nos sujeitos expostos por repetidas estimulações à ruído branco de 60 dB e 110 dB 31 . As respostas foram consideradas como de sobressalto e resposta de defesa em seres humanos ou uma reação de luta / fuga em animais.…”

Feasibility Exploration of Electrodermal Response to Food in Children with ASD Compared to Typically Developing Children

“…Although EDA has been supported as a useful measure of sympathetic response to isolated, contrived stimuli in children with ASD and sensory modulation disorders (Chang et al, 2012;Hubert, Wicher, Monfardine, & Deruell, 2009;Schoen et al, 2009;Schoen et al, 2008), very few studies have used this instrumentation to examine differences in response to everyday activities like eating. This study highlights some of the challenges of using EDA in this manner.…”