The development of sensory over-responsivity from infancy to elementary school.
Some infants experience atypical levels of over-responsivity to sensations, which limit their ability to interact and explore their environment. Yet, little is known about typical development of over-responsivity during infancy or whether the presence of extreme over-responsivity in infancy is a predictor of clinically significant sensory over-responsivity (SOR) at school-age. This study followed a representative sample of children (n = 521, 47% boys) at four time points from infancy (mean ages in months Year 1 = 18.23, Year 2 = 30.39, Year 3 = 39.40) to elementary school-age (mean age = 7.97 years). SOR was measured via parent report. A latent growth curve model predicting SOR at school age from the intercept and slope of Sensory Sensitivity between Years 1-3 showed excellent fit with the data. Both early sensory sensitivities and change in early sensitivities were associated with SOR status at school-age.
Ben-Sasson
Ayelet
A
Occupational Therapy Department and The Center for the Study of Child Development, Haifa University, Haifa, Israel. asasson@univ.haifa.ac.il
Carter
Alice S
AS
Briggs-Gowan
Margaret J
MJ
D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*