The moderating effect of cognitive abilities on the association between sensory processing and emotional and behavioural problems and social participation in autistic individuals

Werkman, M.F.; Brouwer, Sandra; Dijkxhoorn, Yvette; Berckelaer-Onnes, Ina A. van; Reijneveld, Sijmen A.; Landsman, Jeanet; Begeer, Sander

doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101663

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Moreover, in the SSP, all items in the sensory sensitivity categories clearly represent hyperreactive sensory behaviors. In contrast to previous research, in our study [25][26][27][28][29], the results of the observed multiple regression models of these sensory categories did not show significant effects on adaptive abilities. Interestingly, in the resulting regression models that considered the sensory categories of movement sensitivity and auditory filtering, the genetic defect has a greater influence on adaptive social interaction skills than sensory processing skills.…”

Section: Adaptive Functioningcontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…In other genetic phenotypes of autism associated with severe cognitive difficulties, adaptive skills have been shown to be severely impaired [1,[26][27][28], and it appears that in individuals with ASD with lower cognitive skills, increased repetitive sensorimotor behaviors are observed [29,30]. In PMS, unusual sensory responses such as exaggerated reactions to stimuli or seeking behaviors have been identified [31].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sensory processing and adaptive behavior in Phelan-McDermid syndrome: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2022

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Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation or deletion of the SHANK3 gene (chromosome 22q13.3), characterized by different sensory processing anomalies. The objective of this study is to expand and provide a detailed definition of the sensory profile of patients with PMS. The secondary objective was to examine the relationship between sensory patterns and adaptive behavior. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 51 Spanish patients with a confirmed genetic diagnosis of PMS. All the participants’ parents completed the Short Sensory Profile-Spanish (SSP-S) and the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System II (ABAS-II). Correlational, multiple regression and hierarchical cluster analyses were performed. An atypical sensory profile was identified in almost 75% of PMS patients. Definite differences were found among scores; nonetheless, sub-threshold values were observed in tactile sensitivity, underresponsive/seeks sensation, auditory filtering, and low energy/weak sensory categories. Conceptual, social, and practical domains, as well as the General Adaptive Composite (GAC) of the ABAS-II showed extremely low scores (i.e., <70). Significant correlations were found (p<0.005) between SSP-S scores and the conceptual, social, practical, and GAC index of the ABAS-II, whereby higher SSP-S scores were associated with better skills and higher adaptive performance. The cluster analysis indicated that the group with the largest mutation size (7.23 Mb) showed the greatest sensory processing difficulties and very low adaptive skills.Conclusions: Patients with PMS show an atypical sensory profile, which correlates with limitations in general adaptive behaviors. What is Known:• PMS sensory processing difficulties were associated with a pattern of underresponsive/seeks sensation, low energy/weak, and tactile hyporeactivity.• Sensory processing difficulties have been associated with limitations in the development of appropriate adaptive communication and interaction behaviors. What is New:• Sensory definite differences associated with tactile hyperreactivity, as well as significant effects of underresponsiveness/seeks sensation and auditory filtering categories on the adaptive abilities were found in SHANK3deletionpatients.• Cluster analysis suggests that smaller mutation sizes were related to better sensory processing and higher adaptive skills, while patients with larger deletion sizes have greater adaptive difficulties and worse sensory processing skills.

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Section: Adaptive Functioningcontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensory processing and adaptive behavior in Phelan-McDermid syndrome: a cross-sectional study

et al. 2022

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“…IQ reports were either based on an IQ test performance prior to and independent of the current study (63% of adult self-reports; 86% of parent reports) or an estimation of the intellectual ability of the autistic person. Previous research has shown that proxy-reported IQ correlates highly with adaptive functioning (r = −0.71), providing preliminary evidence of the validity of this IQ measure (Werkman et al, 2020). In addition, in this study, we found overlap between people's self-reported IQ levels and their educational levels.…”

Section: Methodssupporting

confidence: 76%

‘Autistic person’ or ‘person with autism’? Person-first language preference in Dutch adults with autism and parents

Buijsman

Begeer

Scheeren

2022

Autism

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The language used to refer to autism has been a topic of ongoing debate. Research in English-speaking countries indicated an overall preference for identity-first language (‘autistic person’) among autistic adults rather than person-first language (‘person with autism’). We examined terminology preference in Dutch autistic adults ( n = 1026; 16–84 years; 57% women) and parents of autistic children ( n = 286) via an online survey. A majority of self-reporting adults with autism (68.3%) and parents (82.5%) demonstrated a person-first language preference. A younger age, higher IQ and more autistic traits predicted a relatively stronger identity-first language preference in autistic adults. We conclude that language and culture may impact terminology preference of adults with autism and parents. For now, we advocate to use a mix of person-first language and identity-first language in academic papers to cover the full range of preferences. Lay abstract There are different words to describe people with an autism diagnosis. For instance, we can put the person before autism (e.g. ‘person with autism’), or we can put autism before the person (e.g. ‘autistic person’). Previous research showed that autistic adults in English-speaking countries generally liked it better when autism is placed before the person. Yet, people also greatly differ in the words they like and dislike. In this study, we examined word preference in Dutch autistic adults ( n = 1026; 16–84 years; 57% women) and parents of autistic children ( n = 286). Via an online questionnaire, we asked our participants to select one term for autistic people that they liked best. The results showed that most adults with autism (68.3%) and parents (82.5%) preferred to put the person before autism. Younger adults, with a higher intelligence, and with more autistic traits, were a bit more likely to put autism before the person. We conclude that there are large differences in the words that people prefer. Because we found different results in our Dutch participants compared to participants in English-speaking countries, we think that the Dutch language or culture may also play a role in word preference. For now, we advise autism researchers to use both person-first and autism-first language.

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“…The proportion of test-based IQs ranged from 52% (in the group of participants with a reported IQ of 85–115) to 95% (in the group with a reported IQ of 55–70). Werkman et al (2020) found a high correlation ( r = −0.71) between proxy-reported IQ and adaptive functioning, providing initial support for the validity of proxy-reported IQ.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 70%

Objective and subjective psychosocial outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A 6-year longitudinal study

Scheeren¹,

Buil²,

Howlin

et al. 2021

Autism

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Research has shown lower rates of employment and independent living in adults with autism. Many of these findings are based on cross-sectional studies, predominantly involving male participants. In a 6-year longitudinal study, we examined determinants of psychosocial outcomes in 917 adults with autism spectrum disorder (425 men, 492 women, mean age 43.5 years). Most were diagnosed in adulthood and had (above) average intellectual abilities. Via a yearly online survey, participants’ objective psychosocial functioning (based on employment, independent living and friendship) and subjective well-being were assessed. Averaged across the five waves of the study, 86% of the sample showed a fair to very good level of objective psychosocial functioning. Objective psychosocial functioning and subjective well-being were positively correlated, and both improved over time. Lower intellectual ability, more autism traits, co-occurring psychiatric conditions and younger age predicted poorer objective outcomes. More autism traits and co-occurring psychiatric conditions predicted lower subjective well-being. There were no gender differences in initial levels of, or changes in, objective and subjective outcomes over time. This study has identified important risk/protective factors for psychosocial outcomes across early and middle adulthood. In general, the findings offer a more positive outlook for adults with autism and average to high intellectual abilities. Lay abstract Previous research has shown that relatively few adults with autism have a paid job or live on their own. However, outcomes also vary a lot and may depend on many different factors. In this study, we examined the level of functioning and happiness of 917 adults with autism (425 men and 492 women) aged 18–65 years. Most of them were of average to high intellectual ability. Over 6 years, we measured whether they had a paid job, close friendships and lived on their own (i.e. their objective functioning). We also measured how happy they felt. Objectively, most autistic adults did fairly to very well. Those with better objective outcomes (e.g. those with paid work) also tended to be happier. Most adults improved in objective functioning and happiness over 6 years. Participants with a lower intellectual ability, more autism traits, mental health problems and younger age had poorer objective outcomes. Participants with more autism traits and mental health problems were less happy. Autistic men and women functioned at similar levels and were equally happy. We found important factors that predict a better (or worse) outcome for autistic adults. Overall, compared with some previous research, our findings give a more positive picture of the outcomes for autistic adults with average to high intellectual abilities.

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The moderating effect of cognitive abilities on the association between sensory processing and emotional and behavioural problems and social participation in autistic individuals

Cited by 11 publications

References 50 publications

Sensory processing and adaptive behavior in Phelan-McDermid syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Sensory processing and adaptive behavior in Phelan-McDermid syndrome: a cross-sectional study

‘Autistic person’ or ‘person with autism’? Person-first language preference in Dutch adults with autism and parents

Objective and subjective psychosocial outcomes in adults with autism spectrum disorder: A 6-year longitudinal study

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