Abstract
A high incidence of sensory processing difficulties exists in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and children with Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD). This is the first study to directly compare and contrast these clinical disorders. Sympathetic nervous system markers of arousal and reactivity were utilized in a laboratory paradigm that administered a series of sensory challenges across five sensory domains. The Short Sensory Profile, a standardized parent-report measure, provided a measure of sensory-related behaviors. Physiological arousal and sensory reactivity were lower in children with ASD whereas reactivity after each sensory stimulus was higher in SMD, particularly to the first stimulus in each sensory domain. Both clinical groups had significantly more sensory-related behaviors than typically developing children, with contrasting profiles. The ASD group had more taste/smell sensitivity and sensory under-responsivity while the SMD group had more atypical sensory seeking behavior. This study provides preliminary evidence distinguishing sympathetic nervous system functions and sensory-related behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Sensory Modulation Disorder. Differentiating the physiology and sensory symptoms in clinical groups is essential to the provision of appropriate interventions.
Highlights
Sensory processing involves the ability to take in, organize and make sense of different kinds of sensations received by the brain
Since the gender distribution was different for the typical group compared to the two clinical groups, gender was included as a covariate in the analyses
Arousal Statistical analyses revealed that arousal at baseline were significantly lower in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) group than either the Sensory Modulation Disorder (SMD) group or the typically developing children (TYP) group
Summary
Sensory processing involves the ability to take in, organize and make sense of different kinds of sensations received by the brain. When children present with sensory processing impairments in the absence of any other childhood disorder it is known as idiopathic Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) (Miller et al, 2007a). The focus of this paper is on Sensory Modulation Disorder, which is characterized by difficulty regulating one’s responses (i.e. duration, intensity, and/or type of response) in a flexible and adaptive manner to sensory experiences that occur in daily life. Because SMD is related to grading one’s responses to sensations from the environment, patterns of responsivity may vary throughout the day and from day to day depending on the context (World Health Organization, 2001; Zero To Three, 2005; Miller et al, 2007a). To be considered a disorder, the responses to sensory input must significantly impair the successful performance of one’s daily activities and routines
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