Sensory abnormalities in autism. A brief report.

• Sensory abnormalities were assessed in a population-based group of 208 20-54-month-old children, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and referred to a specialized habilitation centre for early intervention. The children were subgrouped based upon degree of autistic symptoms and cognitive level by a research team at the centre. Parents were interviewed systematically about any abnormal sensory reactions in the child. In the whole group, pain and hearing were the most commonly affected modalities. Children in the most typical autism subgroup (nuclear autism with no learning disability) had the highest number of affected modalities. The children who were classified in an "autistic features" subgroup had the lowest number of affected modalities. There were no group differences in number of affected sensory modalities between groups of different cognitive levels or level of expressive speech. The findings provide support for the notion that sensory abnormality is very common in young children with autism. This symptom has been proposed for inclusion among the diagnostic criteria for ASD in the upcoming DSM-V.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Psykiatri (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Psychiatry (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Acoustic Stimulation

Asperger Syndrome

Diagnosis

Physiopathology

Autistic Disorder

Diagnosis

Physiopathology

Child Behavior Disorders

Diagnosis

Physiopathology

Child Language

Child

Preschool

Cognition

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

Female

Food Preferences

Gait

Humans

Male

Muscle Hypotonia

Diagnosis

Physiopathology

Pain

Diagnosis

Physiopathology

Photic Stimulation

Self-Injurious Behavior

Diagnosis

Physiopathology

Sensation Disorders

Diagnosis

Physiopathology

Sleep Disorders

Diagnosis

Physiopathology

Stereotyped Behavior

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)