Patterns of sensory processing in young children with autism: Differences in autism characteristics, adaptive skills, and attentional problems

Abstract

Sensory processing differences are widely reported in autism. However, our understanding of sensory profiles in this population has been complicated due to the heterogeneous presentation of sensory symptoms. We addressed this by using latent profile analysis, allowing for the identification of more homogeneous sensory classes in a large cohort ( n = 211 (52 females), 2–4 years) of autistic children using subscale scores from the Short Sensory Profile. Based on the patterns of both severity and sensory modality, four classes emerged: Moderate/Mixed (35.5%), Severe/Mixed (8.5%), Moderate/Broad (14.6%), and Low/Mixed (41.1%). While a subset of children displayed normative sensory-related behaviors, the majority showed a combination of both hypo- and hyper-reactivity across various sensory modalities. Subsequent analyses showed that the class characterized by Severe/Mixed sensory differences exhibited greater problems in a variety of areas such as social and adaptive skills and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, whereas the Low/Mixed class showed overall fewer problems. Identification of homogeneous classes may be useful for neurophysiological/imaging studies focusing on studying underlying mechanisms linked with specific sensory patterns. These findings may help clinicians identify children with particular sensory profiles that might relate to other social, adaptive, or behavioral domains with potential implications for intervention. Lay abstract Research has found differences in responding to various sensory stimuli among autistic individuals, which are associated with social and adaptive skills. However, our understanding of sensory profiles in autism has been complicated due to the variable presentation of sensory symptoms. One way to better understand variability in sensory symptoms is to use advanced statistical approaches, such as latent profile analysis, that allow for the identification of more similar sensory classes in otherwise variable groups. We used the Short Sensory Profile to identify homogeneous classes of sensory reactivity in autistic children based on both severity and modality and examined whether sensory classes differed in terms of autism characteristics, adaptive skills, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Based on the pattern of both severity and modality, four sensory classes emerged and were named Moderate/Mixed (35.5%; probable-to-definite differences in all modalities except in movement sensitivity and low energy/weakness), Severe/Mixed (8.5%; definite sensory differences in all modalities except in low energy/weakness), Moderate/Broad (14.6%; probable-to-definite differences in all modalities), and Low/Mixed (41.1%; typical scores in most modalities with probable differences in taste/smell sensitivity, under-responsive/seeks sensation, and auditory filtering). The Severe/Mixed class exhibited greater problems in a variety of areas such as social, adaptive, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, whereas the Low/Mixed class showed overall fewer problems. This may provide insight for clinicians and researchers aiming to understand whether autistic children who exhibit distinct sensory patterns are more or less likely to also experience social, adaptive, and/or attention/behavior-related difficulties.