Sensory subtypes of children on the autism spectrum in Japan: Characteristics of participation and family functioning.
Japanese preschoolers with autism fall into five sensory subtypes that forecast daily-life hurdles and family stress.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team studied 309 Japanese preschoolers with autism.
Parents filled out three questionnaires about sensory traits, daily activities, and family stress.
A computer sorted the kids into groups based on their sensory scores.
What they found
Five clear sensory subtypes popped out.
Each group had its own mix of trouble joining play, eating, dressing, and family strain.
Knowing the subtype predicted which daily tasks would be hard and how tired parents felt.
How this fits with other research
Gandhi et al. (2022) and Corridore et al. (2026) took the next step. They used sensory profiles to redesign dental rooms and teaching. Success jumped from 20 % to 68 % and 71–88 %.
MacLennan et al. (2020) looked at anxiety. They found kids who hate loud or bright things show more phobias. Takuto’s subtypes add family-life detail to that picture.
Tyagi et al. (2019) linked sensory issues to poor sleep in Indian kids . Takuto shows the same sensory patterns shape play and meals in Japanese 3–young learners.
Why it matters
You already watch for sensory red flags. This paper gives you five tidy boxes. Match a child to a box and you can guess which routines will melt down and where parents need the most help. Start your next assessment with a short sensory survey, then pick goals that fit the subtype. Less trial and error, faster relief for families.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
This study aimed to identify sensory subtypes in preschool children on the autism spectrum in Japan and examine their associations with participation and family functioning. A total of 264 caregivers of preschool children aged 3-6 years on the autism spectrum participated in the study. Data were collected from 56 child development centers and medical institutions across Japan. Sensory features were assessed using the Japanese version of the Short Sensory Profile, and five sensory subtypes were identified: Taste/Smell Sensitive, Extremely Atypical, Mixed Sensory, Gravitational Insecurity and Motor Difficulty, and Adaptive. These subtypes were associated with distinct participation restrictions, such as activities of daily living (ADL)-related challenges in the Mixed Sensory group, leisure-related difficulties in the Taste/Smell Sensitive group, and limitations across all domains in the Extremely Atypical group. Significant differences in family functioning were also observed in domains related to interaction with the external environment of the family, with the Extremely Atypical group showing support needs. These findings underscore the importance of developing tailored intervention strategies for each sensory subtype.Lay abstractThis study examined the impact of differences in sensory processing on the daily lives of preschool children with autism spectrum disorder in Japan, as well as how these differences influence their families. Caregivers of children aged 3-6 years from 56 centers and medical institutions took part in the study. Through a questionnaire, we identified five sensory types among the children: those sensitive to taste and smell, those with highly unusual sensory responses, those with a mix of sensory challenges, those struggling with balance and movement, and those with more adaptive sensory responses. Each sensory type encountered specific challenges in daily activities. For example, children with mixed sensory challenges had difficulties with basic tasks such as eating or dressing, while those sensitive to taste and smell faced challenges in leisure activities. Children with highly unusual sensory responses experienced difficulties in all areas of daily life. These challenges also impacted family dynamics, especially in how families engaged with their surroundings. Families of children with highly unusual sensory responses often required additional support. Our findings emphasize the necessity for personalized support and intervention strategies tailored to each child's unique sensory subtype, which can enhance their participation in daily activities and promote their family's well-being.
Autism : the international journal of research and practice, 2025 · doi:10.1177/13623613251357835