Brief Report: DSM-5 Sensory Behaviours in Children With and Without an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Almost all autistic tweens show sensory red flags, and the worse the score, the tougher the emotions and repetitive behaviours.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team asked parents to fill out the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). They also used the Autism Diagnostic Interview.
Kids were 8 to 14 years old. Some had autism. Others had special-education needs but no autism.
The goal was to see how many showed DSM-5 sensory behaviours and if those behaviours linked to autism severity.
What they found
Nine out of ten autistic tweens had atypical sensory behaviours. Two out of three non-autistic special-ed kids did too.
Stronger sensory problems went hand in hand with more repetitive actions and more emotional upset.
How this fits with other research
Farley et al. (2022) looked at 919 autistic youth and found five clear sensory sub-types. Their work builds on the 2016 count by showing which pattern each kid fits.
Diemer et al. (2023) tested balance, touch and motor skills. They found integration deficits that the SSP misses. Use both tools to catch hidden issues.
Liss et al. (2006) saw an “overfocused” cluster in 43% of autistic kids. The 2016 study widens the lens and says the real share is twice that.
Why it matters
Expect sensory issues in almost every autistic tween you assess. Start with the SSP, then add balance or tactile tasks if the child struggles with daily skills. Note the score, because higher numbers predict bigger emotional swings and tougher repetitive behaviours. Match your behaviour plan to the sensory load, not just the diagnosis.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Atypical responses to sensory stimuli are a new criterion in DSM-5 for the diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but are also reported in other developmental disorders. Using the Short Sensory profile (SSP) and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised we compared atypical sensory behaviour (hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual sensory interests) in children aged 10-14 years with (N = 116) or without an ASD but with special educational needs (SEN; N = 72). Atypical sensory behaviour was reported in 92 % of ASD and 67 % of SEN children. Greater sensory dysfunction was associated with increased autism severity (specifically restricted and repetitive behaviours) and behaviour problems (specifically emotional subscore) on teacher and parent Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires but not with IQ.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2016 · doi:10.1007/s10803-016-2881-7