Sensory processing issues associated with Asperger syndrome: a preliminary investigation.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to identify the sensory processing patterns of children with Asperger syndrome.


METHODS
Researchers compared the performance of 42 children with Asperger syndrome and 42 children without disabilities on section and factor scores of the Sensory Profile.


RESULTS
As reported by parents on the Sensory Profile, the children with Asperger syndrome were significantly different from children without disabilities on 22 of 23 items. This result was obtained with good power estimates (.997-1.00) and large effect sizes (02 = .267-.732). Both groups of children performed the same on modulation of visual input affecting emotional responses and activity level.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides initial evidence that clear differences exist in the sensory processing patterns of children with Asperger syndrome when compared with peers without disabilities.
Dunn
Winnie
W
Department of Occupational Therapy Education, University of Kansas, 3033 Robinson, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas 66160-7602, USA.
Myles
Brenda Smith
BS
Orr
Stephany
S
D000293:Adolescent; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D012016:Reference Values; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D012720:Severity of Illness Index