Sensory Processing, Behavior and Cognition in Preschoolers with Autism

The American Journal of Occupational Therapy published a retrospective study on sensory processing, problem behavior, adaptive behavior and cognition in 42 preschoolers with autism.  The results indicated the following:

• a significant relationship between degree of sensory processing impairment and level of problem behavior
• a weak relationship between sensory processing and adaptive behavior
•  level of sensory impairments was not correlated with level of cognitive ability
• 26% of children who scored >1 standard deviation below the mean on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Composite did not have sensory differences according to the Short Sensory Profile.

You can read the full text of this study at AJOT.  

You can find additional resources for sensory processing disorder from Your Therapy Source Inc.

References:  helley O’Donnell, Jean Deitz, Deborah Kartin, Theresa Nalty, and Geraldine Dawson. Sensory Processing, Problem Behavior, Adaptive Behavior, and Cognition in Preschool Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Am J Occup Ther September 2012 66:586-594; doi:10.5014/ajot.2012.004168