Sensory processing in toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Abstract

Sensory processing difficulties of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are extensively described in the literature using parent surveys and observations. The sensory processing difficulties of children under 3 years of age who are later diagnosed with ASD have seldom been described. This retrospective study is based on 84 children (28 diagnosed with ASD, 28 with developmental disabilities, and 28 typically developing children) between 18 and 36 months of age attending an early intervention program and whose parents completed the Infant Toddler Sensory Profile questionnaire (Dunn & Daniels, 2002). The results obtained in this survey reveals that toddlers with ASD exhibit a distinct pattern of sensory processing as compared to children with other developmental delays.