title: How Sensory Experiences Affect Adolescents with an Autistic Spectrum Condition within the Classroom.
abstract: Sensory processing difficulties are consistently reported amongst individuals with an autistic spectrum condition (ASC); these have a significant impact on daily functioning. Evidence in this area comes from observer reports and first-hand accounts; both have limitations. The current study used the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP; Brown and Dunn in The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile: self questionnaire. Pearson, 2002a), and a qualitative questionnaire to investigate sensory issues in school children with ASC. The AASP found that the participants' mean scores were outside normal parameters. Participants reported difficulties in at least one sensory domain, with hearing affecting them the most. Content analysis revealed sensory sensitivity to affect the participant's learning and that sensory experiences were largely negative. Results suggest that schools need to create sensory profiles for each individual with ASC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK. fiona.howe@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Fiona E J
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5137-2144
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT, UK.
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Stagg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adolescence; Autism; School; Sensory processing