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Sensory Features as a Marker of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Definition

Sensory features are included as one of the diagnostic markers of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) under the restrictive and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 2013). Sensory features are defined as hypo- and hyper-reactivity to sensation and unusual interests in sensory aspects of the environment in the DSM-5 but have also been shown to include difficulties with multisensory integration and sensorimotor functions such motor planning (Brandwein et al. 2013; Foxe et al. 2013; Russo et al. 2010). Parents of children with ASD report that these sensory features are among the most challenging that they face in managing their children’s behavior and their daily life (Schaaf et al. 2011). Parents rate intervention for sensory difficulties as one of their top priorities and most helpful interventions (Myers et al. 2009; Peacock 2012). Studies show that up to 95% of children with ASD exhibit these...

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  1. Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty, Farber Institute for Neurosciences, Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Roseann Schaaf

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  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, CT, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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Schaaf, R. (2020). Sensory Features as a Marker of Autism Spectrum Disorders. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102455-1

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