Sensory Profiles of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder with and without Feeding Problems: A Comparative Study in Sicilian Subjects

Abstract

The aim of this study is to better understand the relationship between sensory and feeding problems in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by comparing sensory responsiveness of ASD children with (ASD-W) and without (ASD-WO) feeding problems. The feeding and sensory characteristics of 111 children with ASD (37 ASD-W and 74 ASD-WO) were assessed by using two questionnaires tapping on feeding problems and two on sensory problems. A comparative study was carried out with between-group as well as intra-group comparisons design; a correlation analysis was also added. A statistically significant correlation was found between sensory and feeding problems. ASD-W children showed more severe and extensively impaired sensory responses than ASD-WO, with lower sensory adaptation and more generalized and severe deficits in all subdomains. Taste/Smell sensitivity was strongly impaired only in ASD-W, whereas in ASD-WO it was found to be a point of strength. Both groups showed a Hyporesponsive profile, though it was more marked in ASD-W. Both groups showed strengths in Visual/Auditory sensitivity, Low-Energy/Weak, and Movement sensitivity, again more marked in ASD-WO. These results might prove to be particularly useful for sensory training and psychoeducational treatment.

Sensory processing and eating behaviours in autism: A systematic review

“…Padmanabhan and Schroff (2020) and Wang et al (2014) reported multi-modal correlations between sensory processing and mealtime behaviours, with the strongest associations observed for taste/smell sensitivities and stronger evidence reported in Wang et al (2014)'s autism sample compared to neurotypical peers. Finally, Panerai et al (2020) found that autistic children with feeding problems exhibited higher multi-modal sensory differences compared to those without, with the largest effect size (0.52) being for taste/smell sensitivities. Furthermore, this was the only study that differentiated between hyper-and hypo-sensitivity patterns and found significant differences between autistic children with feeding problems demonstrated greater impairments in hypersensitivities (Panerai et al, 2020).…”

Intervenção de musicoterapia nos sinais vitais de crianças com transtorno do espectro autista: Estudo piloto

“…Embora a redução da saturação de O2 neste estudo pareça um fator negativo da intervenção de musicoterapia realizada, por outro lado, é preciso destacar que crianças com TEA possuem um padrão de comportamento mais sensível a elementos estressores do ambiente, que podem levar ao aumento da saturação de O2, em decorrência da hiperventilação proveniente de agitação psicomotora e aumento dos níveis de adrenalina (Panerai et al, 2020;Le Menn-Tripi et al, 2019).…”

Cannabinoids for People with ASD: A Systematic Review of Published and Ongoing Studies

“…In fact, pharmacological therapies commonly prescribed to individuals with ASD are frequently burdened by side effects, such as weight gain, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. These adverse events are also frequent in children, given the sensory difficulties, food selectivity, and rigidity in eating behaviors, which can lead to an increased risk for weight gain and poor nutritional habits [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ]. For this reason, the correct management of pharmacological treatment should try to prevent the onset of side effects, through reviewing and identifying the risk factors, monitoring metabolic markers, and promoting potential modifiers of the course of metabolic syndrome (i.e., lifestyle, polypharmacy) [ 72 ].…”