Sensory Reactivity at 1 and 2 Years Old is Associated with ASD Severity During the Preschool Years.
Rebecca Grzadzinski, Kevin Donovan, Kinh Truong and 6 others
PMID 32157566WHAT IT FOUND
At 14 months, less observed reaction to sounds, sights or touch, and stronger parent-reported reaction to sounds, sights or touch, were each linked to more severe autism symptoms at ages 3 to 5.
These links were associations, not proof of cause.
Key findings
01At the first assessment, observed low reaction to sensory stimuli was associated with more severe social symptoms at the preschool follow-up.
02Increases in observed low reaction between the first and second assessments were associated with more severe restricted, repetitive behavior and social symptoms at the preschool follow-up.
03At the first assessment, parent-reported strong reaction to sensory stimuli was associated with more severe restricted, repetitive behavior symptoms at the preschool follow-up.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Many children did not return for the preschool follow-up, and some outcome data were missing, so the results depend on statistical filling in of missing values. The sample available for analysis was small, which limits confidence in the findings. The sample was mostly White and highly educated, and children who did not return were more likely to be Black and to have lower education levels, so results may not apply broadly. The children were selected because early screening suggested elevated likelihood for autism, so their sensory patterns may differ from general community samples. The study did not test whether changing sensory reactions reduces later autism severity. The preschool age range was wide, although age was included in the analyses.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The supplied text does not state who funded the work.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these links as evidence that treating sensory reactions will reduce later autism severity. The study followed children already at elevated likelihood, did not test sensory-focused treatment, and several sensory domains were not significant.