Somatosensory processing in neurodevelopmental disorders

Carissa J. Cascio

doi:10.1007/s11689-010-9046-3

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review the role of somatosensory perception in typical development, its aberration in a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, and the potential relations between tactile processing abnormalities and central features of each disorder such as motor, communication, and social development. Neurodevelopmental disorders that represent a range of symptoms and etiologies, and for which multiple peer-reviewed articles on somatosensory differences have been published, were chosen to include in the review. Relevant studies in animal models, as well as conditions of early sensory deprivation, are also included. Somatosensory processing plays an important, yet often overlooked, role in typical development and is aberrant in various neurodevelopmental disorders. This is demonstrated in studies of behavior, sensory thresholds, neuroanatomy, and neurophysiology in samples of children with Fragile X syndrome, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and cerebral palsy (CP). Impaired somatosensory processing is found in a range of neurodevelopmental disorders and is associated with deficits in communication, motor ability, and social skills in these disorders. Given the central role of touch in early development, both experimental and clinical approaches should take into consideration the role of somatosensory processing in the etiology and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Highlights

Somatosensory perception plays a central role in the early stages of human development
Accurate tactile and proprioceptive sensation is critical for the development of motor skills during childhood, with somasthetic touch being important for fine motor development (Cauller 1995) during the preschool years (Case-Smith 1995)
The studies included in this review reflect the central role of tactile processing in the development of social, communicative, and motor behavior

Summary

Introduction

Somatosensory perception plays a central role in the early stages of human development. Throughout infancy and early childhood, the sense of touch provides important information and feedback about the child and its world, influencing the development of motor, social, and communication skills. The development of both gross and fine motor skills depends heavily on the somatosensory system. Accurate tactile and proprioceptive sensation is critical for the development of motor skills during childhood, with somasthetic touch being important for fine motor development (Cauller 1995) during the preschool years (Case-Smith 1995). Tactile feedback from mechanoreceptors in the skin and joints critically guides the online modulation of gross motor functions such as walking (Metcalfe et al 2005), and fine motor functions such as grasping (Soechting and Flanders 2008), during early development and throughout the lifespan

Objectives

Findings

Conclusion