Toward a Best-Practice Protocol for Assessment of Sensory Features in ASD.

Schaaf et al. (2015) read every paper they could find on sensory issues in autism. They wrote a guide that tells clinicians how to check for these problems during an ASD evaluation.

The guide mixes three tools: ask the parent, watch the child, and give short tests. No single tool is enough.

The review shows that sensory features are core to autism. Missing them leads to weak plans and slow progress.

A good protocol needs at least one caregiver interview, one structured observation, and one normed checklist.

Casey et al. (2009) already proved that mixing interview plus observation works. Their SAND tool gave the 2015 paper a ready-made template.

Green et al. (2016) later counted kids and found sensory issues in 92 % of autistic tweens. That number backs up the 2015 call to screen everyone.

Diemer et al. (2023) looked deeper and saw problems with balance, touch, and motor planning that the 2015 list barely mentions. They extend the protocol by telling you to add tactile, praxis, and visual-motor tasks.

If you test sensory issues the same way every time, your behavior plans get sharper and treatment moves faster. Use the triple mix—interview, watch, test—and fold in newer balance and motor checks when you can.