Sensory Processing in Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective: The aim is to assess the sensory processing difficulties in children and adolescents with ADHD. Methods: In all, 38 ADHD children of the age group 6–14 years and 34 age- and gender-matched typically developing controls were included in the study. Sensory processing was assessed on Child Sensory Profile-2. The child behavior checklist and Weiss functional impairment rating scale were applied to assess behavioral problems and functional impairments, respectively. Results: A significantly higher sensory processing difficulties were seen in children with ADHD than typically developing controls. There were positive correlations between the scores of Child sensory profile 2 with internalizing (with Sensitivity p = .036, Avoiding p = .001, and Auditory p = .029) and externalizing T scores (with Seeking p = .031, Movement p = .025, and Visual p = .018) of CBCL and also with scores of Weiss functional impairment rating scale (with Seeking p = .001, Sensitivity p = .019, and Registration p = .045). Conclusions: Sensory problems were common in children with ADHD and add to the functional impairments.