scholarly journals Transdiagnostic Patterns of Sensory Processing in Autism and ADHD

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nichole Scheerer ◽  
Anahid Pourtousi ◽  
Connie Yang ◽  
Zining Ding ◽  
Bobby Stojanoski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Diagnostic Labels ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Processing Abilities

Sensory processing abilities are highly variable within and across people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examined the transdiagnostic nature of sensory processing abilities, and their association with features of ASD and ADHD, in a large sample of autistic people (n = 495) and people with ADHD (n = 461). Five similar data-driven sensory phenotypes characterized sensory processing abilities, and showed similar patterns of association with features of ASD and ADHD, across both diagnostic groups. These results demonstrate the transdiagnostic nature of sensory processing abilities, while contributing to a growing body of literature that suggests the ASD and ADHD diagnostic labels have poor explanatory power.

scholarly journals A co-twin-control study of altered sensory processing in autism

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132199125
Author(s):  
Janina Neufeld ◽  
Mark J Taylor ◽  
Karl Lundin Remnélius ◽  
Johan Isaksson ◽  
Paul Lichtenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Sensory Sensitivity ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is associated with sensory processing alterations, such as sensory hyper- and hypo-responsiveness. Twin studies are scarce in this field, but they are necessary in order to disentangle the genetic and environmental contributions to this association. Furthermore, it is unclear how different neurodevelopmental/psychiatric conditions contribute to altering sensory processing. We investigated the association between autistic traits/autism spectrum disorder diagnosis and sensory processing alterations in twins ( N = 269), using the adult/adolescent sensory profile, which differentiates four sub-domains: Low Registration, Sensation Seeking, Sensory Sensitivity, and Sensation Avoiding. While the associations between autistic traits and Low Registration and Sensation Avoiding persisted within monozygotic (genetically identical) twins, Sensory Sensitivity was only associated with autistic traits within dizygotic twins. In multivariate analyses with different neurodevelopmental/psychiatric diagnoses as predictor variables, autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were the strongest predictors for two adult/adolescent sensory profile sub-domains each. The results suggest that the association between autistic traits and Sensory Sensitivity is influenced by genetics while non-shared environmental factors influence the associations between autistic traits and Low Registration and Sensation Avoiding. They further indicate that altered sensory processing is not specific to autism spectrum disorder, while autism spectrum disorder is a strong predictor of certain sensory processing alterations, even when controlling for other (comorbid) neurodevelopmental/psychiatric conditions. Lay abstract Individuals diagnosed with autism often describe that they process sensory information differently from others, and many experience sensory issues as problematic. For instance, an increased sensitivity to smells or sounds can make participating in social settings challenging. While sensory issues are now part of the diagnostic criteria for autism, they also co-occur with other psychiatric diagnoses such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and anxiety disorders. It is unclear to what extent the relationship between autism and alterations in sensory processing are due to genetics or environment. In addition, more research is needed on how autism, as compared to other diagnoses, is associated with sensory issues. Using a twin study, we found that genetic factors influenced self-reported reactivity to sensory stimuli in autism while environmental factors influenced other sensory issues (e.g. difficulties in detecting or differentiating sensory input). Hence, sensory hyper-reactivity might be an early onset core feature of autism, while other domains of alterations in sensory processing might develop later, influenced by the environment. Moreover, autism was more strongly associated with sensory issues related to increased sensitivity/reactivity as compared to other psychiatric diagnoses. However, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was more strongly related to deficits in detecting/differentiating sensory stimuli and with an increased drive to seek sensory input. Our results indicate that sensory issues are not specific to autism, but that some aspects of altered sensory processing are more relevant for autism than for other diagnoses.

scholarly journals Sensory Processing in ASD and ADHD: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Mary Ann Parks ◽  
Samantha Schulz ◽  
Christina G McDonnell ◽  
Evdokia Anagnostou ◽  
Robert Nicolson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Structure ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Sensory Information ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Daily Functioning ◽  
Factor Solution ◽  
Multiple Modalities ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Confirmatory Factor

Difficulties related to sensory processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and attention/deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can manifest within multiple modalities and impact daily functioning. We examined the factor structure of the Short Sensory Profile in ASD and ADHD (N=517). A seven-factor structure held for ASD and ADHD however, differences were found in responses to the sensory measure. At the subscale level, a two-factor structure emerged in ASD, while a single-factor solution emerged in ADHD. Although there are differences in the way those with ASD and ADHD process sensory information, a single inventory can be used to describe processing patterns in both groups. Establishing the shared and non-shared features of sensory processing may have the potential to inform more targeted clinical approaches.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF SENSORY PROCESSING ABILITIES AMONG AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS CHILDREN

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-43
Author(s):  
Sundas Khan
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Sensory Integration ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Sensory Profile ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Short Sensory Profile ◽  
Processing Abilities ◽  
Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Definite Difference

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Autism is characterized by the complex paradigm of intellectual disabilities that leads to impairment in sensory integration, communication barriers and social interaction. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the sensory processing abilities among autism children. Further the study will be helpful in identifying difficulties faced by autistic children in multidimensional aspects. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study was conducted at special education institute/schools of Karachi among the Autism Spectrum Children to evaluate the patterns of sensory integration by using Short Sensory Profile. RESULTS A total of 50 children, 23 males and 27 females with mean age of 9.5±1.84 years included in the study. On SSP, the mean scores of participants were 17.89±7.61 in tactile sensitivity, 16.66±6.90 in Under-responsive/Seeks Sensation, 14.45±5.75 in Visual/Auditory Sensitivity, 17.77±7.04 in Auditory Filtering, 19.57±7.91 in Low Energy/Weak while lowest scores were reported in Taste/Smell Sensitivity and Movement Sensitivity. CONCLUSION It was concluded that definite difference is more prevalent among children with autism whereas varying percentages are found on different items on Short sensory profile. Further studies are required to assess the sensory processing issues for more useful outcomes.

scholarly journals Behavioural and neural markers of tactile sensory processing in infants at elevated likelihood of autism spectrum disorder and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Serena Piccardi ◽  
◽  
Jannath Begum Ali ◽  
Emily J. H. Jones ◽  
Luke Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Repetition Suppression ◽  
Neural Markers ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Backgrounds Atypicalities in tactile processing are reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but it remains unknown if they precede and associate with the traits of these disorders emerging in childhood. We investigated behavioural and neural markers of tactile sensory processing in infants at elevated likelihood of ASD and/or ADHD compared to infants at typical likelihood of the disorders. Further, we assessed the specificity of associations between infant markers and later ASD or ADHD traits. Methods Ninety-one 10-month-old infants participated in the study (n = 44 infants at elevated likelihood of ASD; n = 20 infants at elevated likelihood of ADHD; n = 9 infants at elevated likelihood of ASD and ADHD; n = 18 infants at typical likelihood of the disorders). Behavioural and EEG responses to pairs of tactile stimuli were experimentally recorded and concurrent parental reports of tactile responsiveness were collected. ASD and ADHD traits were measured at 24 months through standardized assessment (ADOS-2) and parental report (ECBQ), respectively. Results There was no effect of infants’ likelihood status on behavioural markers of tactile sensory processing. Conversely, increased ASD likelihood associated with reduced neural repetition suppression to tactile input. Reduced neural repetition suppression at 10 months significantly predicted ASD (but not ADHD) traits at 24 months across the entire sample. Elevated tactile sensory seeking at 10 months moderated the relationship between early reduced neural repetition suppression and later ASD traits. Conclusions Reduced tactile neural repetition suppression is an early marker of later ASD traits in infants at elevated likelihood of ASD or ADHD, suggesting that a common pathway to later ASD traits exists despite different familial backgrounds. Elevated tactile sensory seeking may act as a protective factor, mitigating the relationship between early tactile neural repetition suppression and later ASD traits.

scholarly journals The Impact of Indoor Environment Quality on People on the Autism Spectrum

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Beth Noble
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Environment Quality ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Indoor Environment Quality ◽  
Employment Rates ◽  
The Impact

<p>People on the autism spectrum are widely reported to have differences in how they process sensory information compared to people not on the autism spectrum (neurotypical). These differences in sensory processing are prevalent regardless of age or IQ level. All people are affected by the built environment, with indoor environment quality (IEQ) linked to comfort, productivity, health and wellbeing. However, there is little research about the direct impact of the built environment on autistic adults.  This study investigates whether differences in sensory processing impact how autistic people experience the built environment, and whether there were patterns in the effects of different IEQ factors. Adults on the autism spectrum (n=83), neurotypical control adults (n=134), and adults with other conditions affecting sensory processing or who were closely related to someone on the autism spectrum (n=59) participated in an anonymous online survey. Participants were asked about their home and workplace, experiences of the general built environment, and general sensory sensitivity.  Autistic participants, who reported significantly higher sensory processing scores than Control participants, consistently reported higher levels of discomfort in both their home and workplace environments, feeling more overwhelming, stressed, and distracted, and less safe than the Control group in both environments. Though shopping malls, supermarkets, other retail and medical buildings are all essential buildings that people need to frequent to meet material needs and stay healthy, they all caused greater discomfort and distress for Autistic participants, who also avoided them more often. The odds of an Autistic participant avoiding buildings was 8.8 times greater than the Control group. Higher discomfort and distress reported by Autistic participants in office buildings may affects the low employment rates in this population.  People and People Noise were the IEQ factors that, across multiple environments, were rated as highest as a cause of discomfort and avoidance and had the largest difference between Autistic and Control participants, followed by Glare and Electric Light. Meanwhile, Temperature was rated equally highly by both groups, having a large effect but no difference between groups, with a similar trend seen in Air Quality and Air Movement.  Autistic people already struggle with social isolation, early mortality, and low employment rates, which are likely compounded by greater sensory stress from the built environment. Further research into understanding the relationship between the effects of the indoor environment and the differences in sensory processing in people on the autism spectrum is essential to creating solutions for a more accessible built environment.</p>

scholarly journals The Impact of Indoor Environment Quality on People on the Autism Spectrum

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Beth Noble
Keyword(s):  
Built Environment ◽  
Sensory Processing ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Environment Quality ◽  
Autistic People ◽  
Indoor Environment Quality ◽  
Employment Rates ◽  
The Impact

<p>People on the autism spectrum are widely reported to have differences in how they process sensory information compared to people not on the autism spectrum (neurotypical). These differences in sensory processing are prevalent regardless of age or IQ level. All people are affected by the built environment, with indoor environment quality (IEQ) linked to comfort, productivity, health and wellbeing. However, there is little research about the direct impact of the built environment on autistic adults.  This study investigates whether differences in sensory processing impact how autistic people experience the built environment, and whether there were patterns in the effects of different IEQ factors. Adults on the autism spectrum (n=83), neurotypical control adults (n=134), and adults with other conditions affecting sensory processing or who were closely related to someone on the autism spectrum (n=59) participated in an anonymous online survey. Participants were asked about their home and workplace, experiences of the general built environment, and general sensory sensitivity.  Autistic participants, who reported significantly higher sensory processing scores than Control participants, consistently reported higher levels of discomfort in both their home and workplace environments, feeling more overwhelming, stressed, and distracted, and less safe than the Control group in both environments. Though shopping malls, supermarkets, other retail and medical buildings are all essential buildings that people need to frequent to meet material needs and stay healthy, they all caused greater discomfort and distress for Autistic participants, who also avoided them more often. The odds of an Autistic participant avoiding buildings was 8.8 times greater than the Control group. Higher discomfort and distress reported by Autistic participants in office buildings may affects the low employment rates in this population.  People and People Noise were the IEQ factors that, across multiple environments, were rated as highest as a cause of discomfort and avoidance and had the largest difference between Autistic and Control participants, followed by Glare and Electric Light. Meanwhile, Temperature was rated equally highly by both groups, having a large effect but no difference between groups, with a similar trend seen in Air Quality and Air Movement.  Autistic people already struggle with social isolation, early mortality, and low employment rates, which are likely compounded by greater sensory stress from the built environment. Further research into understanding the relationship between the effects of the indoor environment and the differences in sensory processing in people on the autism spectrum is essential to creating solutions for a more accessible built environment.</p>

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