title: Sensory subtypes and associated outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorders.
abstract: Sensory features are prevalent and heterogeneous across children with ASD and these features have been associated with child outcomes. Identification of clinically defined sensory subtypes may enhance our understanding of unique phenotypes that have implications for etiology, prognosis, and intervention. This longitudinal study used a national online survey aimed to identify associations of previously validated sensory subtypes to specific child and family characteristics and functional outcomes [vineland adaptive behavior scale-II (VABS) and parenting stress index short form (PSI)]. The sensory experiences questionnaire-3.0 was collected from caregivers with children with ASD, ages 2-12, at two time points (Time 1, n = 1307, Time 2, n = 884), 1 year apart. Functional outcomes assessments were collected at the second time point. A latent profile transition analysis (LPTA) was used to test associations, and results indicated that the attenuated-preoccupied subtype presented with the significantly lowest levels of VABS adaptive behavior composite scores compared to the other three sensory subtypes. Both the VABS maladaptive behavior index and the total PSI score were significantly highest in the extreme-mixed subtype. These results underscore the clinical utility of this subtyping approach for differentiating characteristics and functional outcomes associated with clinically defined sensory phenotypes. These findings may have implications for better understanding etiology, prognosis, and more precise targets for interventions designed to ameliorate sensory difficulties, and ultimately mitigate negative developmental consequences and parenting stress. Autism Res 2016, 9: 1316-1327. © 2016 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Karla K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Ausderau
authors.affiliation: Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sideris
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri.
authors.forename: Lauren M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Little
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Furlong
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bulluck
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Grace T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Baranek
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D010641:Phenotype; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: adaptive outcomes; children; sensory; stress; subtypes