RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a neurophysiologic disorder in which sensory input is poorly detected, modulated, interpreted and/or to which atypical responses occur. The objective of this study was to validate an Arabic questionnaire for identification of SPD among preschool Arabic-speaking children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). METHODS: A newly constructed Arabic questionnaire for assessment of SPD was completed by parents of 100 Egyptian Arabic-speaking children including 40 typically-developing children (control group), 30 children with ASD, and 30 children with ADHD in the age range 3-6 years RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Sensory processing differences were detected between typically-developing children and children with ASD and ADHD. Significant differences were found in auditory processing, visual processing, oral sensory processing, olfactory processing, total scores and emotional/social response. The current study revealed non-significant differences between ASD and ADHD children as regards auditory, visual, touch, oral sensory, olfactory and total processing scores. On the other hand, ASD children showed higher scores in proprioceptive processing and lower scores in emotional/social response than children with ADHD. The designed Arabic questionnaire is a valid and reliable assessment tool for identification of SPD in preschool Arabic-speaking children.
