The pattern of sensory processing abnormalities in autism

Abstract

The study was undertaken to evaluate the nature of sensory dysfunction in persons with autism. The cross-sectional study examined auditory, visual, oral, and touch sensory processing, as measured by the Sensory Profile, in 104 persons with a diagnosis of autism, 3-56 years of age, gender-and age-matched to community controls. Persons with autism had abnormal auditory, visual, touch, and oral sensory processing that was significantly different from controls. This finding was also apparent when the high and low thresholds of these modalities were examined separately. At later ages for the group with autism, lower levels of abnormal sensory processing were found, except for low threshold touch, which did not improve significantly. There was a significant interaction in low threshold auditory and low threshold visual, suggesting that the two groups change differently over time on these variables. These results suggest that sensory abnormalities in autism are global in nature (involving several modalities) but have the potential to improve with age.

Sensory Sensitivities and Performance on Sensory Perceptual Tasks in High-functioning Individuals with Autism

“…Parent and caregiver questionnaires have often been used to study sensory reactivity in individuals with autism, and these consistently confirm elevated rates of sensory problems in toddlers (Rogers, Hepburn, & Wehner, 2003), preschool children (Ornitz, Guthrie, & Farley, 1977) and children of school age (Kientz & Dunn, 1997), as well as in adults (Harrison & Hare, 2004) and across the life-span (Kern et al, 2006). Rogers et al (2003) administered a questionnaire -the Short Sensory Profile -to parents of toddlers who either had autism, fragile X syndrome, developmental disorders of mixed etiology, or who were typically developing.…”

“…Using the Dunn (1999) sensory profile across the lifespan, Kern et al (2006) provide evidence that sensory processing abnormalities involve multiple modalities (e.g. auditory, visual and tactile) and can involve both sensory sensitivities and apparent insensitivity such that sensory seeking and defensiveness occur within the same individuals.…”

“…auditory, visual and tactile) and can involve both sensory sensitivities and apparent insensitivity such that sensory seeking and defensiveness occur within the same individuals. These authors also reported that sensory sensitivities may decrease with age (Kern et al 2006). It should also be noted that rates of sensory symptoms in school-age children with autism range in studies from 42% to 88% and thus are common but not universal to the condition (Baranek, Parham, & Bodfish, 2005).…”

Relación Entre El Procesamiento Sensorial Y La Severidad De La Sintomatología en Una Muestra De Niños Con Tea

“…Estos investigadores concluyen que a medida que aumenta la edad se produce una disminución de las alteraciones en el procesamiento sensorial. En esta misma línea, tanto en el meta-análisis de Ben-Sasson et al (2009), como en la investigación llevada a cabo por Kern et al (2006), se ha obtenido que las alteraciones en la percepción sensorial correlacionan con la edad, de manera que estas son más elevadas en la etapa infantil y, más concretamente entre los 6 y los 9 años, mientras que se produce un descenso con posterioridad.…”

Fragile Spectral and Temporal Auditory Processing in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Early Language Delay

“…Hyper and hyposensitivity to sensory stimulation (e.g., Kern et al 2006;Khalfa et al 2004) as well as atypical sensory processing abilities (e.g., Leekam et al 2007;Simmons et al 2009;Talay-Ongan and Wood 2000) are often reported and have been included in the new diagnostic criteria of ASD in DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association 2013). Delayed or deviant speech and language development are also often reported but are no longer incorporated in the diagnostic criteria of the disorder (American Psychiatric Association 2000, 2013.…”