Developmental Stability of Sensory Processing Patterns in Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Typical Development

Background:   Sensory features, which cluster into sensory processing patterns, differ among diagnostic groups (e.g., Baranek et al., 2006; Dunn & Bennett, 2002). There is limited evidence, however, related to the developmental correlates of sensory processing patterns across diagnostic groups, particularly related to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Using normative data from the forthcoming Children’s Sensory Profile 2^ndEdition (Dunn, in preparation), we examined sensory processing patterns (i.e., sensitivity, avoiding, registration, seeking) among children with ASD, ADHD, and typical development (TD). 

Objectives:  (1) Determine the extent to which sensory processing patterns (i.e., sensitivity, avoiding, registration, seeking) differ across children with ASD, ADHD, and typical development; and (2) Investigate the effect of chronological age on the association between diagnostic group and sensory processing patterns. 

Methods:  This cross sectional study used data from the Sensory Profile 2^ndEdition (Dunn, in preparation). Participants included children ages 3-14 years with a diagnosis of ADHD (N=53; mean age=8.8 yrs; SD=2.76 yrs), ASD (N=61; mean age=7.50 yrs; SD =2.76 yrs), and TD (N=56, mean age=8.09 yrs; SD =2.80 yrs). We used multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to examine the extent to which the differences in sensory processing patterns among diagnostic groups were moderated by chronological age.

Results:  Findings from the MANCOVA suggest that diagnostic groups significantly differ on sensory processing patterns, Pillai’s Trace [F(2,143)=606.8, p<.001]. Post-hoc LSD tests revealed significant differences between TD, ASD, and ADHD groups on each sensory processing pattern (each p<.01). ASD and ADHD significantly differed on avoiding (p<.05); ASD demonstrated increased avoiding. Chronological age was not a significant variable in explaining the association between diagnosis and sensory response pattern. 

Conclusions: Findings from this study suggest that the differences in sensory responses persist throughout childhood and into adolescence for individuals with ASD and ADHD as compared to those with TD. Although previous studies show that registration differences differentiate children with ASD at younger ages (e.g., Ben-Sasson et al., 2009), our results suggest that children ages 3-14 years with ASD demonstrated significantly more avoiding. As children with ASD get older, they have more specificity about what sensory experiences are acceptable. Sensory response patterns remained relatively stable for individuals across diagnostic groups, suggesting that intervention approaches that focus on making adaptations may be more effective than altering individual children’s responses to sensory stimuli.