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

Simonetta Panerai,Daniela Fasciana,Daniela Ruccella,Valentina Catania,Maurizio Elia,Donatella Gelardi,Raffaele Ferri,Marinella Zingale

doi:10.3390/brainsci10060336

Simonetta Panerai, Daniela Fasciana + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10060336

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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.

Highlights

Sensory impairments are frequent in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) [1,2,3,4,5,6,7], with over 90% of cases presenting severe sensory symptoms in multiple sensory domains, as reported in some studies [2,4]
No significant differences were found between ASD children with (ASD-W) and ASD without feeding problems (ASD-WO) subgroups, neither in the chronological ages, nor in the number of male and female participants, or in the levels of disorder severity (Table 1); the two subgroups were comparable
The aim of our study was to shed light on this aspect, starting from the hypothesis that ASD-W children presented with higher sensory impairments than ASD-WO, with Taste/Smell sensitivity affected

Summary

Introduction

Sensory impairments are frequent in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) [1,2,3,4,5,6,7], with over 90% of cases presenting severe sensory symptoms in multiple sensory domains, as reported in some studies [2,4]. Sensory modulation disorders are classified into three subtypes: (1) over-responsivity (or hyperresponsiveness), characterized by exaggerated, rapid onset and/or prolonged reactions to sensory stimulation; (2) under-responsivity (or hyporesponsiveness), with unawareness or slow response to sensory input; and (3) seeking for, involving craving of, and interest in sensory experiences that are prolonged or intense [8]. Some patterns, such as hypo- and hyperresponsiveness, are known to co-occur in children with ASD [9,10,11,12], especially in children showing a generalized sensory. Studies using physiological tools, such as electrodermal sensors or cardiac vagal tone index, found a decreased or increased activation of the electrodermal responses (in under-responsive and in over-responsive children respectively) and an impaired less effective parasympathetic system

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