ANALYSIS OF SENSORY PROCESSING ABILITIES AMONG AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS CHILDREN

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Autism is characterized by the complex paradigm of intellectual disabilities that leads to impairment in sensory integration, communication barriers and social interaction. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the sensory processing abilities among autism children. Further the study will be helpful in identifying difficulties faced by autistic children in multidimensional aspects.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study was conducted at special education institute/schools of Karachi among the Autism Spectrum Children to evaluate the patterns of sensory integration by using Short Sensory Profile.

RESULTS

A total of 50 children, 23 males and 27 females with mean age of 9.5±1.84 years included in the study. On SSP, the mean scores of participants were 17.89±7.61 in tactile sensitivity, 16.66±6.90 in Under-responsive/Seeks Sensation, 14.45±5.75 in Visual/Auditory Sensitivity, 17.77±7.04 in Auditory Filtering, 19.57±7.91 in Low Energy/Weak while lowest scores were reported in Taste/Smell Sensitivity and Movement Sensitivity.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that definite difference is more prevalent among children with autism whereas varying percentages are found on different items on Short sensory profile. Further studies are required to assess the sensory processing issues for more useful outcomes.

KEYWORDS

Sensory Integration, Autism, Behavior, Social, Cognition, Developmental Disabilities, Hypersensitivity

Sundas Khan

Physiotherapist

Hayat-e-Nau Rehabilitation Center for Disable Children

[email protected]

[Khan S. Analysis of Sensory Process-ing Abilities among Autism Spec-trum Disorders Children. Pak. j. rehabil.2019;8(2):38-43]

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution Licence (CC BY) 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Autism is characterized by the complex paradigm of intellectual disabilities that leads to impairment in sensory integration, communication barriers and social interaction1. Centre for disease control and prevention formed the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) System to gather facts and figures which provide estimates of the preva-lence of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United States But tracking and determining the prevalence of ASD give rise to distinctive challenges like lack of biologic diagnostic markers, heterogeneity day to day chang-ing in diagnostic criteria2. ADDM provide data on ASD prevalence among children aged 8 years that shows increase number from approximately one in 150 children in 2002 to one in 68 in 2012 in multiple United State communities, more than doubling in this period3. However, there is no cure for autism as some of the studies showed that regular treatments may be effec-tive to make the child independent with improved quality of life but not meaningful to control the disabili-ty4. Moreover, therapies like music, speech and physiotherapy leads to the betterment of the child in order to enhance interaction and social well-being5. However, there are domains that are severely being affected in autism, particularly sensory integration process is found to be impaired among children with intellectual disabilities6.

Sensory system evaluation is important for the diagno-sis of autism. It was highlighted in one of the study that autistic children develops hypersensitivity in response to any stimuli due to sensory processing overload that ultimately affect their social interaction and disturbs the normal functions thereby leads to sensory dysfunction7. These aspects lead to adverse conse-quences of intellectual disability. An empirical investi-gation based on sensory dysfunction and impair-ments in autistic children was conducted using a sensory profile. It was determined that marked frequent responses to sound were observed in autism associated dysfunctions whereas no response has been observed in first two years of autistic children8. Moreover, sensory profile was helpful to discriminate the autism based on the ranking of 8-10 that has been significantly scored among autistic individuals. In contrast, it was reported that autism children possessed higher rate and great differences in senso-ry-perceptual abnormalities in comparison to Down syndrome and normal children9.

A retrospective study reported that approximately 200 children are annually diagnosed with autism with severe pattern development10. Moreover, Weider and Greens described that most of the autistic partici-pants experienced difficulties in the auditory response or problems while some children may suffer from auditory hypersensitivity11. Another study observed that auditory stimuli is a strong tool that helps to distin-guish between children with or without autism as it is substantial to assess sensitivity in infancy12. Furthermore, another study described that there is a distur-bance in the pattern of sensory modulation and processing thus affecting the whole sensory process or systems. It was found that 80% children aged less than 6 years diagnosed with autism had findings that 51% had no response to sound, 81% had sensitivity to loud noises, 53% showed visual inspection on hands or fingers, whereas 62% children showed arm flapping13.

Previous studies reported that some of the parents might face difficulties with their children that indicat-ed the first sign of autism. Furthermore, it was observed that infants with autism do not response to certain sounds and sensitive to taste and pain as well. Howev-er, a difference was observed among infants in senso-ry processing that either they were sensitive to touch, showed no interest or over excitement, showed no interest in communication and like or dislikes the moving objects. These responses helped the parents to identify the difference between children with autism sensory disorder14. Furthermore, the children who were commonly developing mannerisms, lack of sensations, interest and inability of identifying objects were preceded for the diagnostic interview of autism. Moreover, studies concluded that these behaviors with respect to social, sensory and communication aspects are helpful to categorize the difference between autistic and children with developmental delay15.

According to Hobnon, the responses in autism are dependent upon the quality of sensory stimuli either from the environment, events or individuals. Therefore effective sensory integration therapy is recommend-ed in autism as number of studies demonstrated that interventions that enhances the sensory integration are useful for the autistic children to improved their sensory processing, so that they could easily interact with the environment thereby learn effectively to accomplish functional tasks. On the contrary, most of the individuals of autism exhibit complex sensory behavior disorders that included inappropriate skills performance, poor socialization, loud screaming or shouting, frequent urination or harming their body part by biting their own body skin16.

Therefore early interventions are indicated for sensory disorders in autism. As sensory processing is crucial to help in reasoning and play important role in concen-tration or cognitive functioning. Moreover, a duplica-tive attitude causes deficiency in sequence imagina-tion that in particular form is a group of synchronous stimuli ultimately lead to alters behavior17. Despite the fact, an individual must be able to integrate sensory inputs for processing either filtering or screening out or suppressing others in functional or operational way. It was observed that most of the brain areas are engage in procession, modulating, and integrating sensory information while the main parts of brain i.e. frontal lobe ,cerebellum, superior colliculus having particular focus on quick understanding and rapid multidimensional flow of information, intermediated by attentional demands and resources18. However, as autism is a mental disorder, the brain processing activity alters in response to the condition. Moreover, this multidimensional sequence of information is impaired in individual of ASD, perhaps this disturbance in the communication of cortical the individual is unable to communicate with their surroundings there-by unable to participate and express their feelings19. Though, there would be more interest beyond the influence of attention with autism sensory disorder as an autistic individual faces difficulties with sensory and cognitive domains20. Furthermore, people with autism experience more difficulties in automatic processing of knowledge and information that may leads to over loaded attention and stressed working memory there-fore when the stimuli reaches and exceeded beyond its capacity, strength and power, thus the processing system fails21. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the sensory processing abilities among autism children. Further the study will be helpful to identify the difficulties faced by autistic children in multidimension-al aspects.

Study Setting

The study was conducted at special educational schools and institutes of Karachi, Pakistan.

Target Population

Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Children (ASD) aged between 8-12 years.

Study Design

Cross-sectional Study.

Duration of Study

The study was conducted in the period of 6 months duration.

Sampling Technique

Non-probability Convenient Sampling Technique.

Sample Size

A Sample Size of 50 was calculated using open EPI calculator.

Sample Selection

Inclusion Criteria

• Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders aged 8-12 years
• The children shall be enrolled at Special education school/ institute.

Exclusion Criteria

• Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders having motor disabilities were excluded.
• Children with associated problems like cerebral palsy, down syndrome

Data Collection Procedure

Data of 50 participant of age between 8-12 years was collected from special education schools after initial screening based on the given inclusion/ exclusion criteria. Participants were known case of Autism Spec-trum Disorder. Consent was taken from their parents/guardians. Procedure of research was explained to them along with the advantages and disadvantages. Short sensory profile was used by the therapist to take information regarding sensory abilities of participants whereas the classification of difference in sensory patterns was analyzed on the total scoring of the profile.

Data Collection Tool

• Short Sensory Profile

Data was collected by short sensory profile, consisting of 7 items on tactile sensitivity, taste/smell sensitivity, movement sensitivity, under-responsive/seeks sensa-tion, auditory filtering, low energy/weak, and visual/auditory sensitivity. Each of the items is based on total raw score on the responses of 5-point likert scale i.e. “always”, “frequently”, “occasionally”, “seldom” and “never”. The total scoring of each individual was classified on typical, probable and definite difference respectively based on the analysis of sensory processing abilities. The reliability of short sensory profile is 0.70-0.90 whereas the construct validi-ty of the SSP total and section scores ranges from (0.25-0.76)22-23.

• Data Analysis Strategy

Data was entered and analyzed on IBM SPSS (Statisti-cal Package for Social Sciences) version 20. Descrip-tive statistics was used to represent the participants’ demographic characteristics in terms of frequency, whereas; participants’ responses were presented through frequency and percentages chart.

• Ethical Considerations

Consent from parents/ Guardians was taken before enrolling the participants in the study. They were also informed about the details, possible risks, benefits and their right to withdraw. A secluded area was provided to the participants. Assurance of confidentiality of data was given. Permission from head of the depart-ment was also taken for data collection.

A total of 50 children were recruited after initial screening based on inclusion/exclusion criteria includ-ing 23 males and 27 females with mean age of 9.5 ±1.84 years. The demographic characteristics of participants are represented in Figure-1.

Figure.1 Percentage of Male and Female Participants are represented in pie chart

Scores on SSP

On each item of SSP, the mean scores and standard deviation was calculated as shown in Table-2.

Upon analysis, it was observed that no participants were evaluated with probable and typical difference whereas, definite difference was found to be more common. The reported frequency of definite differ-ence is as shown below in Figure 2.

*DD: Definite Difference, PD: Probable Difference, TD: Typical Difference

Figure.2 Percentage of participants having different patterns on SSP

The results of this study identified that the children with Autism Spectrum Disorder showed varied responses in sensory integration on Short Sensory Profile. Moreover, definite difference in sensory patterns was observed than probable and typical difference in autism children. These results were consistent with the findings of a study that showed higher prevalence of sensory processing issues in ASD children as compared with normal children24. Our study examine the different sensory integration issues with ASD children on Short Sensory Profile on various domains, it was observed that majority of children have low energy, further high scores were found to be in tactile sensitivity, visual and auditory sensitivity that showed the need to address the sensory component in autism children.

Previous studies showed that Autism Spectrum Disorder is associated with more sensory issues as well as poor adaptive functioning that showed the compromised socialization of ASD in activities of daily living and with other people25. It was also evident that most of the children with this disorder have atypical presentation on under responsive sensation-seeking item on SSP that revealed that children had no idea regarding their surroundings and they might be lacking in generating the sensory input26-27. However, limited studies are found to assess the sensory process-ing abilities of ASD children with respect to reliability and validity of each item.

Autistic individuals showed varied sensory experiences that include weak or strong responses to certain situations, events or stimulations. Although, the uncomfortable sensory experiences are due to senso-ry hypersensitivity leads to high or low neurological thresholds causes difficulty in sights, balance, touch, tastes, sound and proprioception. The high neurologi-cal threshold causes exaggeration that is worse response in reality whereas low neurological threshold leads to unresponsiveness. Therefore, adequate sensory profile analysis provides possible relationship between behavioral outputs and sensory process abilities to analyze sensory inputs by visual, auditory, olfactory nerves as well by Golgi tendon, tactile receptors and muscle spindle fibers and make connections with cerebral efferent pathway including psychological and emotional junctions28.

Furthermore, Lord and Colleagues revealed presence of X-syndrome that is associated with tactile, auditory, taste and smell sensitivity in comparison to other developmental disabilities29. Whereas, evidence has been established that stated that sensory symptoms are highest in children with autism. However, limited evaluation measures are available to for comprehen-sive sensory analysis. Moreover, one of the mecha-nisms of sensory dysfunction is defensiveness in such a way that they neglect sensory signals to an excessive degree or may refuse it unconsciously that leads to unsupported bodily function and coordination, often observed as difficulties in performing activities in sequential way30.

Another study revealed that sub-scales of SSP are strongly associated with autism and sensory process-ing difficulties; it was also observed that social interac-tion is the main problem in autistic children are compared to other domains31 whereas; our study did not assess the social domain in ASD. The previous studies have reported negative associations between under responsiveness, language and socio communi-cative symptoms severity score32. However, our study did not address the association but majorly highlight-ed the sensory issues on Short Sensory Profile. On the other hand, Sensory-Seeking patterns have also been related to a higher prevalence of repetitive behav-iors33. Sensory processing disorder is the condition which affects the ability of brain and nervous system to integrate the stimulus, either from the environment or an individual. Therefore, typical responses are observed in affected population. Likewise, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have altered sensory processing abilities that may affect their senses such as hearing, taste and integration. Therefore, it has been concluded that both under responsive and sensory seeking patterns of interest can have an adverse impact on the performance of individual. The sensory output or responses are interpreted based on child behavioral response to the sensory input from the environment. Our study assessed the sensory mea-sures used in clinical settings but as per the author more interpretation of the behavior pattern and difficulties by the parent or therapist needed to investi-gate34. The study is significant by providing compre-hensive assessment of sensory processing abilities of autism spectrum children that is helpful in their rehabili-tation. Further, the results difference will provide thera-pists an area to work in order to improve sensory integration in children with ASD.

The limitations of this study were small sample size and limited age ranges, therefore age-related confound-ers may vary the sensory profiles. Furthermore, trials must be conducted to investigate the sensory profiles among children with developmental disabilities for more useful outcomes.

It was concluded that definite difference is more prevalent among children with autism whereas varying percentages are found on different items on Short Sensory Profile. Further studies are required to assess the sensory processing issues for more useful outcomes.

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