Sensory processing, school performance, and adaptive behavior of young school-age children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
This study described sensory processing behaviors and sensory-motor abilities in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and explored their relationship to home and school function. A clinic-referred sample of 25 children with FASD, ages 5 to 8 years, was compared with 26 children with typical development, balanced for age, gender, and race/ethnicity, on standardized tests examining sensory processing, sensory-motor performance, school performance, and adaptive behavior. Children with FASD scored significantly more poorly on sensory processing, sensory-motor, adaptive, and academic achievement measures, and demonstrated more problem behaviors at home and school. Correlations were significant between measures of sensory processing and sensory-motor performance, adaptive behavior, and some aspects of academic performance. Sensory processing and related foundational sensory-motor impairments should be considered when determining the developmental needs of children with FASD. These impairments may co-occur with and contribute, at least in part, to decreased adaptive and school function.
University of Washington Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic and Prevention Network (FAS DPN), WA, USA. tracyj@u.washington.edu
Tracy
T
Jirikowic
Heather Carmichael
HC
Olson
Deborah
D
Kartin
D000124:Achievement; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*