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The Relationship Between Clinical Presentation and Unusual Sensory Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Investigation

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Abstract

Unusual responses to sensory stimuli have been described in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The study examined the frequencies of ‘unusual sensory interests’ and ‘negative sensory responses’ and their relation to functioning in a large ASD population (n = 679). Having ‘unusual sensory interests’ was reported in 70.4 % and ‘negative sensory responses’ in 66.0 % of the ASD group. Having ‘unusual sensory interests’ was associated with more severe reported and observed autism symptoms, lower cognitive ability and lower adaptive skills. In contrast, having ‘negative sensory responses’ was only associated with more severe reported stereotyped behaviors. It is suggested that having ‘unusual sensory interests’ is a part of a primary more severe type of ASD involving numerous developmental domains that might have a unique neurobiological origin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, The Autism Center, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, 70300, Zerifin, Israel

    Ditza A. Zachor

  2. The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Ditza A. Zachor

  3. Department of Communication Disorders, Ariel University, 40700, Ariel, Israel

    Esther Ben-Itzchak

  4. The Autism Center, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, 70300, Zerifin, Israel

    Esther Ben-Itzchak

Authors
  1. Ditza A. Zachor
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  2. Esther Ben-Itzchak
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Correspondence to Ditza A. Zachor.

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Zachor, D.A., Ben-Itzchak, E. The Relationship Between Clinical Presentation and Unusual Sensory Interests in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Investigation. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 229–235 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1867-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1867-y

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