title: Sensory subtypes in children with autism spectrum disorder: latent profile transition analysis using a national survey of sensory features.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sensory features are highly prevalent and heterogeneous among children with ASD. There is a need to identify homogenous groups of children with ASD based on sensory features (i.e., sensory subtypes) to inform research and treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sensory subtypes and their stability over 1 year were identified through latent profile transition analysis (LPTA) among a national sample of children with ASD. Data were collected from caregivers of children with ASD ages 2-12 years at two time points (Time 1 N = 1294; Time 2 N = 884).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four sensory subtypes (Mild; Sensitive-Distressed; Attenuated-Preoccupied; Extreme-Mixed) were identified, which were supported by fit indices from the LPTA as well as current theoretical models that inform clinical practice. The Mild and Extreme-Mixed subtypes reflected quantitatively different sensory profiles, while the Sensitive-Distressed and Attenuated-Preoccupied subtypes reflected qualitatively different profiles. Further, subtypes reflected differential child (i.e., gender, developmental age, chronological age, autism severity) and family (i.e., income, mother's education) characteristics. Ninety-one percent of participants remained stable in their subtypes over 1 year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Characterizing the nature of homogenous sensory subtypes may facilitate assessment and intervention, as well as potentially inform biological mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Karla K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ausderau
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furlong
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sideris
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bulluck
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: Linda R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Aysenil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belger
authors.forename: Virginia A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Dickie
authors.forename: Grace T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Baranek
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Children; autism; latent profile transition analysis; sensory; subtypes