Characteristics of Idiopathic Sensory Processing Disorder in Young Children

Abstract

This study described the developmental and behavioral characteristics of children identified with idiopathic sensory processing disorder (SPD) as well as the relations among specific types of SPD as proposed by the nosology presented by Miller et al. (2007), adaptive behavior profiles, and behaviors associated with mental functioning. A retrospective, non-experimental design applying descriptive and correlational analyses was used. Data were obtained from clinic medical records of 78 children ages 2 to 7 years who were identified with sensory processing problems affecting daily life, but who did not meet criteria for any other neurodevelopmental or mental disorders following a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Results revealed that all SPD types as described by current typologies were well represented with the most common being the over-responsivity sensory modulation subtype. Within the sample, 53% of the children displayed more than one SPD type. Atypical externalizing and internalizing behavior scores associated with various mental disorders as measured by the child behavior checklist (CBCL) fell in the borderline dysfunctional range. Adaptive behavior for all developmental domains was below average, and the severity of SPD symptoms moderately and positively correlated with behaviors associated with mental disorders, and with lower adaptive behavior performance. It was concluded that symptoms characteristic of the various types of idiopathic SPD overlap substantially suggesting that current typologies may include more types/subtypes than are necessary or clinically useful. Children with SPD share similar, but often less severe pathological behaviors associated with other mental or related neurodevelopmental disorders. Psychometrically sound measures of SPD are needed, and further study of the neural mechanisms involved in sensory processing deficits is vital for validating idiopathic SPD as its own diagnostic entity.

Behavioural Differences in Sensorimotor Profiles: A Comparison of Preschool-Aged Children with Sensory Processing Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…Unlike the comparison group, the ASD children appeared more likely to have abnormalities across multiple sensory domains, whereas most of the comparison group children had weaker abnormal sensory features. Already, Leekam et al [35] has indicated that sensory abnormalities are more prevalent in children with autism than in children with other developmental disabilities, independently from the cognition level, and, as suggested by Mulligan and collaborators [7], adaptive behaviour across functional domains may be impacted by the severity of sensory processing deficits of the children.…”

“…Consequently, SPD can impact self-regulation, influencing behaviour, daily-life activities, learning and neuropsychomotor development [1,5,6]. Recently, Mulligan [7] suggested that adaptive behaviour can be frequently altered by sensory processing impairment during childhood and that the severity of SPD seems to be negatively correlated with adaptive skills.…”

Characterizing Sleep Differences in Children With and Without Sensory Sensitivities

“…Sensory processing, or multisensory integration, occurs in specific areas of the brain as sensory input from the external environment is transformed into usable data, supporting our ability to act in the world (Bundy and Lane, 2019). Epidemiological studies estimate that 5-16% of children in the general population experience sensory processing patterns that impact their daily life (Ayres, 1971;Ahn et al, 2004;Dunn et al, 2016;Galiana-Simal et al, 2020;Mulligan et al, 2021). Using Dunn's Sensory Processing Framework (2014), sensory processing patterns can be characterized in four quadrants: (i) low registration, (ii) sensory seeking, (iii) sensory sensitivity, and (iv) sensory avoiding.…”

Sensory systems processing in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot study

“…The Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) is regarded as the "gold standard" test for detecting sensory discrimination and sensorimotor abnormalities [6]. However, it does not measure sensory modulation [14]. Sensory modulation is typically measured by the Sensory Profile (which has two versions) and the Sensory Processing Measure [6,14].…”

“…However, it does not measure sensory modulation [14]. Sensory modulation is typically measured by the Sensory Profile (which has two versions) and the Sensory Processing Measure [6,14].…”