title: Sensory Processing in Low-Functioning Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Distinct Sensory Profiles and Their Relationships with Behavioral Dysfunction.
abstract: Sensory processing abnormalities are relatively universal in individuals with autism spectrum disorder, and can be very disabling. Surprisingly, very few studies have investigated these abnormalities in low-functioning adults with autism. The goals of the present study were (a) to characterize distinct profiles of sensory dysfunction, and (b) to understand how sensory dysfunction relates to behavioral disorders in this population. Data were collected for a representative sample of inpatients in autism care centers (N = 148) and a non-clinical control group. Results demonstrated that sensory dysfunction (a) is highly prevalent in low-functioning adults with ASD and differentiates at least four sub-profiles of patients, and (b) predicts specific patterns of behavioral disorders. Implications for care are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Université Rennes 2, CRPCC EA 1285, 35000, Rennes, France. corentin.gonthier@univ-rennes2.fr.
authors.forename: Corentin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gonthier
authors.affiliation: Université Savoie Mont Blanc, LPNC UMR CNRS 5105, 73000, Chambéry, France.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Longuépée
authors.affiliation: Université Savoie Mont Blanc, LPNC UMR CNRS 5105, 73000, Chambéry, France.
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouvard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD); Inpatient care center; Intellectual disability; Sensory processing subtypes; Sensory profile