Update of a Meta-analysis of Sensory Symptoms in ASD: A New Decade of Research.
Over-responsivity is a hallmark of ASD—assess it early and plainly.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Ayelet and team pooled ten years of sensory studies on autism. They compared kids and adults with ASD to typical peers. They looked at three things: over-responsivity, under-responsivity, and sensory seeking.
What they found
All three sensory patterns were much bigger in ASD. Over-responsivity stood out the most. It even separated ASD from other clinical groups.
How this fits with other research
Kargas et al. (2015) seems to disagree. They found adults with ASD had worse auditory discrimination, not extra sensitivity. The gap is real but small: Niko tested discrimination, Ayelet tested over-responsivity. Different domains, different tools.
Gonthier et al. (2016) extend the story. They show low-functioning adults split into four clear sensory profiles. These profiles predict behavior problems. Use the profiles to tailor plans.
Gaines et al. (2025) add sex detail. Autistic girls show stronger hearing and balance issues than boys. Screen girls for these items to catch missed diagnoses.
Why it matters
Sensory over-responsivity is now a core ASD marker. Grab a validated tool like the BSIQ or SPM. Score the over-responsivity items first. Use the results to explain behaviors and shape accommodations.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
This meta-analysis updated evidence regarding sensory over-responsivity (SOR), under-responsivity (SUR) and seeking symptoms in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) relative to typical controls and those with other conditions. Fifty-five questionnaire studies included 4606 individuals with ASD. Moderators tested were age, IQ, male ratio, matching group, and self-report. Compared to typical controls, effect size was large and significant for SOR, SUR, and Seeking but heterogeneous. For Seeking, age, IQ and self-report were significant moderators. Compared with developmental disorders (DDs) groups, effect size was significantly positive for SOR and Seeking; whereas compared with other clinical groups, only SOR was significant. These findings highlight the core nature of sensory symptoms in ASD and particularly SOR. Explanatory factors are yet to be revealed.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2019 · doi:10.1007/s10803-019-04180-0