Date Presented 03/21/24
Sensory subtypes were applied to repetitive and adaptive behavior measures for autistic children ages 6 to 18 years. The extreme-mixed subtype, with elevated sensory response, had more repetitive behaviors and lower adaptive behaviors.
Primary Author and Speaker: Sabrina Kabakov
Additional Authors and Speakers: Karla Ausderau
Contributing Authors: Olivia Surgent, Emily Skaletski, John Sideris, Brittany Travers
PURPOSE: Sensory processing differences are common in autistic children and associated with difficulty in participation. Sensory subtyping is an emerging methodology beneficial for studying co-occurring sensory responses and their relationship to behavioral outcomes. The goal was to understand how sensory subtypes were associated with adaptive and repetitive behavior.
DESIGN: Extant data from four studies analyzing 119 autistic children aged 6-18 years was used to create subtypes. Inclusion criteria required an autism diagnosis, speak/understand English, IQ score >60, and requirement to sit in an MRI machine for the larger study.
METHOD: Sensory subtypes were created using a confirmatory factor analysis with the Sensory Experience Questionnaire 3.0 including age and autism traits as covariates. The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-2 and the Repetitive Behaviors Scale-Revised (RBS-R) were used. Cohen’s d (d>0.8= large effect size) determined the magnitude of difference between groups.
RESULTS: Sensory subtypes were unequally distributed: mild (44.9%), sensitive-distressed (38.1%), extreme-mixed (9.3%), and attenuated-preoccupied (7.6%). The extreme-mixed had a lower adaptive behavior score with a large effect size compared to the other subtypes. The mild group had lower scores for the RBS-R total and subcategories except self-injurious had large effect sizes compared to the other subtypes. The extreme-mixed subtype had higher RBS-R compulsive, sameness, self-injurious, and stereotyped behavior compared to the sensitive-distressed and attenuated-preoccupied.
CONCLUSION: This study found sensory subtypes had differential relationships with adaptive and repetitive behavior.
IMPACT STATEMENT: By understanding the sensory subtypes’ unique relationship to adaptive and repetitive behavior, we may be able to identify targeted interventions and differentiate how to best support autistic individuals in meaningful participation in their homes and communities.
References
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