Sensory Processing in ASD Children they can have a positive impact on the way they are provided with support, helping to increase their quality of life. This is stated by new research conducted by a research group of the Western University.
The results of the study have been published in the scientific journal Molecular Autism.
Sensory processing: here’s what the new research says
Western University psychology professor, Ryan Stevenson and the postdoctoral fellow of Western BrainsCAN e Nichole Scheerer participated in a study that examined the abilities and sensory processing of 599 children with autism. The results found that sensory abilities can be grouped into five phenotypes or categories, revealing different patterns of sensory processing. These categories have also been found to predict autistic behavioral traits.
“We were looking for models to see if some traits tend to coexist”said Scheerer, first author of the study. “If someone tends to be more sensitive to sound, will they also be more sensitive to light? If someone is sensitive to textures and tactile stimulation (things like pain and temperature), are they also sensitive to flavors, but not sensitive to mild? “
The events that people encounter on a daily basis involve sensory processing in the brain. These experiences include sight, hearing, smell, touch and, in the case of eating, taste and texture. For many, the processing of these sensory processing does not cause distress, but for children with ASD, a neurological condition characterized by social, communication and behavioral challenges, their experience can be very different.
How individuals with autism process touch, taste, smell, sound, and other sensory information can vary from person to person. These sensory differences make it impossible to create a one-size-fits-all environment that meets the needs of individuals with autism.
The five categories that affect sensory processing in autism are: sensitivity to taste and smell; search for sensations; difficulty moving with low energy; little difficulty in sensory processing; and difficulties in all areas of sensory processing.
By identifying these five combinations of sensory processing patterns, the researchers were able to link the categories to behavioral traits commonly seen in people with autism. These behaviors included socialization difficulties, communication problems, repetition or compulsions, along with clinical traits found in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“Sensory problems can precipitate and impact other cognitive skills and clinical presentations, things like social communication and repetitive behaviors, two of the pieces that define autism “, has explained Stevenson, senior author of the study and principal member of Western’s Brain and Mind Institute. “Children with different sensory processing patterns also showed differences in adaptive behaviors and daily living skills. This shows that sensory differences can have a great impact on the daily experiences of autistic children ”.
“An autistic child may perform poorly in class, not because they have cognitive difficulties. Rather, since he processes sensory information differently than his peers, the sensory environment in his class can interfere with his ability to concentrate and act cognitively “Scheerer added. “This really highlights that to help autistic children and make a difference in their lives, we need to invest in creating sensory environments and do a better job of meeting sensory needs. ”
With a better understanding of sensory categories, the researchers hope this work will lead to a greater awareness of the different sensory experiences of ASD children and a more personalized approach to supporting them.
“There is a lot you can do to change a child’s sensory environment with autism“, Stevenson specified. “If there is a child who is looking for sensation, providing more stimuli or allowing them to stimulate can reduce some of the behaviors that interrupt the child’s learning. Understanding what drives the different behaviors that cause a child to stress can allow us to provide the supports they need and improve their quality of life. “
“The more we understand the challenges ASD children face, the better we can be in terms of creating environments that welcome them.“Added Scheerer.
According to the Ministry of Health in Italy it is estimated that 1 in 77 children (age 7-9 years) has an autism spectrum disorder with a higher prevalence in males: males are 4.4 times more than females.
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