Correlation between sensory characteristics and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To understand sensory characteristics and its correlation with behavioral problems among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), so as to provide reference basis for early diagnosis and comprehensive intervention of ASD children.@*Methods@#Using cross sectional survey, 193 ASD children trained by Nantong rehabilitation institutions were recruited from September 2021 to February 2022. All children were investigated with the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ).@*Results@#Among the 193 ASD children, 106 (54.9%) children had abnormal sensory characteristics, including 45 (23.3%) with possible abnormalities and 61 (31.6%) with obvious abnormalities. The abnormal rate of auditory filtering was the highest in the seven dimensions, reaching 85.0%, followed by low strength/weakness, motor sensitivity, taste/smell sensitivity, low response/seeking sensation, vision/hearing sensitivity and tactile sensitivity. The total incidence of sensory abnormalities was 93.3%. There were significant differences in six dimensions of PSQ scale scores of ASD children with different degrees of sensory abnormalities, including conduct problems, learning problems, psychosomatic disorders, impulsive hyperactivity, anxiety and hyperactivity index ( H =38.89, 38.90, 19.53, 46.34, 34.54, 54.90, P <0.01). With the aggravation of sensory abnormalities in children with ASD, the scores of all dimensions of the PSQ scale increased significantly. The total score of SSP was negatively correlated with the six dimensions of conduct problems, learning problems, psychosomatic disorders, impulsive hyperactivity, anxiety and hyperactivity index in PSQ ( r =-0.53, -0.50, -0.32, -0.55, -0.43, -0.61, P <0.01).@*Conclusion@#ASD children generally have sensory abnormalities, which coincide with severity of behavioral problems. There is a positive correlation between sensory abnormalities and behavioral problems in ASD children. More attention should be paid to the abnormal sensory characteristics of children with ASD in the future diagnosis and treatment process.