Date Presented 04/06/19
There has been a lasting debate over whether sensory features are a core characteristic or comorbid phenomenon of ASD. This study explores whether sensory reactivity (hyper and hypo reactivity) may be a distinguishing characteristic of ASD. Understanding these phenotypic characteristics of ASD can help inform personalized OT intervention for sensory features as well as aid in early diagnosis.
Primary Author and Speaker: Carly Rosenthal
Additional Authors and Speakers: Roseann Schaaf, Rachel Dumont, Rachel Kim, Margaret Ryan, Lauren Santoro, Taylor Sivori
Contributing Authors: Judith Ross
INTRODUCTION: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are highly prevalent and have marked phenotypic variability. Identification of specific phenotypic markers that characterize ASD is crucial to developing more precise diagnosis and treatments. In this poster, we will explore the use of a diagnostic characteristic of ASD – hypo and hyper reactivity to sensation as potential distinguishing characteristics of the ASD.
METHODS: This data comes from a descriptive non-experimental study of children with autism, 47,XYY chromosomal disorder, and children who are typically developing. Participants, aged 4 to 16, included 2 groups of males with a genetic condition 47, XYY syndrome: those who met the criteria for ASD (XYY + ASD) and those who did not (XYY – ASD). The XYY group was compared to an age-matched sample of children with idiopathic ASD (ASD I) and to an age-matched sample of typically developing males (TYP). The behavioral responses to sensation were measured using the Short Sensory Profile (SSP).
RESULTS: The XYY + ASD group scored significantly lower than the XYY-ASD and the TYP groups on the Short Sensory Profile Total Score, but similar to ASD I group in total SSP score suggesting that sensory features may differentiate those with ASD from those without in these genetically homogeneous groups.
IMPLICATIONS FOR OT: Sensory reactivity of children with ASD, as measured by the SSP, shows promise as a distinguishing feature of ASD. Understanding these sensory features of ASD is important as they have been found to impact the development of functional skills and participation in daily activities (Little, Ausderau, Sideris & Baranek, 2015; Schaaf, Cohn, Burke, Dumont, Miller & Mailloux, 2015). These preliminary findings may also be useful for identifying specific phenotypic characteristics of ASD that can aid in more precise diagnosis of ASD. Further, identifying sensory reactivity of a child with ASD will guide the individualized treatment addressing the sensory features of ASD impacting the child’s occupational performance.
References
Little, L. M., Ausderau, K., Sideris, J., & Baranek, G. T. (2015). Activity Participation and Sensory Features Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(9), 2981–2990. doi:10.1007/s10803-015-2460-3
Schaaf, R. C., Cohn, E. S., Burke, J., Dumont, R., Miller, A., & Mailloux, Z. (2015). Linking sensory factors to participation: establishing intervention goals with parents for children with autism spectrum disorder. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(5), 6905185005. doi:10.5014/ajot.2015.018036
