Sensory Processing Subtypes in Autism: Association with Adaptive Behavior

Autism Spectrum disorder is a disorder that affects the brains development of social and communication skills. It is often diagnosed by age 3. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder are often characterized by covering their ears to loud noises, small food preferences, dont react to pain, etc. That is what my article is about. This study aimed to describe patterns of sensory processing and examine the relationship between these patterns and group and adaptive behavior. Fifty-four autistic children and their caregivers participated in the study.They were given a Short Sensory Profile in which they completed and it measures and compares the abnormal sensory perception to typically developing children. They were also given a behavioral scale interview to examine adaptive behavior. The researcher found that their researcher supported the view that children with Austim spectrum disorders experience significant differences in sensory processing than normally developing kids. They were able to break down the results into 3 different sensory processing subgroups: 1. sensory based inattentive seeking- these have mild sensory perception problems, 2. sensory modulation with movement sensitivity- these have difficulties across all sensory processing areas, and 3. sensory modulation with taste/smell sensitivity- these exhibit difficulties in the sensory processing on taste and smell.


Lane, A., Young, R., Baker, A., & Angley, M. (2010). Sensory processing subtypes in autism: association with adaptive behavior. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 40(1), 112-122. Retrieved from EBSCOhost database on September 14, 2011.

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