Sensory Processing in Autism: A Review of Neurophysiologic Findings

Abstract

Atypical sensory-based behaviors are a ubiquitous feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In this article, we review the neural underpinnings of sensory processing in autism by reviewing the literature on neurophysiological responses to auditory, tactile, and visual stimuli in autistic individuals. We review studies of unimodal sensory processing and multi-sensory integration that use a variety of neuroimaging techniques, including: electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). We then explore the impact of covert and overt attention on sensory processing. With additional characterization, neurophysiologic profiles of sensory processing in ASD may serve as valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of therapeutic interventions for autism and reveal potential strategies and target brain regions for therapeutic interventions.

Disrupted cortical function underlies behavior dysfunction due to social isolation

“…Alterations in sensory processing constitute prominent symptoms in various psychiatric disorders (e.g., autism, schizophrenia, and personality disorders) (50)(51)(52)(53). While genetic alterations are considered to be important as etiologies of these mental illnesses, postnatal environment could also contribute to the onset of these mental disorders.…”

What can autism teach us about the role of sensorimotor systems in higher cognition? New clues from studies on language, action semantics, and abstract emotional concept processing

“…These affect a broad range of skills ranging from social to mental-cognitive ones (Wing & Gould, 1979), and to perceptual and sensory abnormalities (Klintwall et al, 2011;Marco, Hinkley, Hill, & Nagarajan, 2011). That lack of motor movement and correlated motor-andsensory neural activity can entail deficits in integrating perceptions with actions is well known from experimental studies dating back to the famous work by Heid and Hein (1963), and some of the perceptual problems in ASC seem open to this explanation (e.g., inadequate response to social stimuli).…”

“…Klin et al's account spoke of the grounding of social processes in experience, but did not strongly highlight the necessary integrity of motor and sensory systems along with their structural connection for the typical development of thought and social behaviour. At the time, much less was known about fundamental dysfunction in sensorimotor and neuronal systems in ASC, such as the motor abnormalities that have been outlined in Sections 2 and 3 above or the sensory abnormalities that are the focus of other papers (Klintwall et al, 2011;Marco et al, 2011).…”

The Relationship Between Auditory Processing and Restricted, Repetitive Behaviors in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…For example, age and IQ level have been shown to affect frequency discrimination (Heaton, Williams, Cummins and Happé, 2008; in ASD. Another explanation for the discrepancy in findings may be due to the considerable variation in paradigms used (Marco, Hinkley, Hill and Nagarajan, 2011). Auditory perceptual abilities in ASD may depend on the nature and complexity of the stimulus and the task (Bertone Mottron, Jelenic, and Faubert 2005;Samson et al, 2006;Mongillo et al, 2008).…”

“…More importantly, the relationship between auditory processing and autistic symptomatology is far from complete. It has been suggested that future research employing correlational analyses between auditory perceptual abilities and behavioural phenotypes could help to clarify the inconsistencies in the findings (e.g., Marco et al, 2011).…”