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Sensory Subtypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors and Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Part of the book series: Autism and Child Psychopathology Series ((ACPS))

Abstract

This chapter presents an in-depth account of sensory subtypes associated with ASD. The focus of this chapter is on sensory features which are patterns of behavior that are suggestive of differences in the manner in which daily sensory stimuli are processed. The chapter contrasts clinical and experimental approaches to defining and studying sensory features and the representation of sensory features in the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. An overview of the potential relationship between sensory features and other RRBIs is provided. The chapter also describes the seven current sensory subtype models in ASD, which identify distinct patterns of sensory features among toddlers, children, and adolescents but not adults. It concludes that more studies are needed to delineate the various sensory subtypes, their underlying latent constructs and their developmental trajectories to allow more specific assessments and interventions. More data would also be helpful in distinguishing between sensory phenomena, which should be targeted for intervention versus this that actually assist individuals with autism in their coping with everyday activities and thus should be maintained and tailored for further development and enhanced well-being.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

    Alison E. Lane

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  1. Alison E. Lane
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Correspondence to Alison E. Lane .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel

    Eynat Gal

  2. Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel

    Nurit Yirmiya

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Lane, A.E. (2021). Sensory Subtypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder. In: Gal, E., Yirmiya, N. (eds) Repetitive and Restricted Behaviors and Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Autism and Child Psychopathology Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66445-9_6

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