title: The Role of Attention in Somatosensory Processing: A Multi-trait, Multi-method Analysis.
abstract: Sensory processing abnormalities in autism have largely been described by parent report. This study used a multi-method (parent-report and measurement), multi-trait (tactile sensitivity and attention) design to evaluate somatosensory processing in ASD. Results showed multiple significant within-method (e.g., parent report of different traits)/cross-trait (e.g., attention and tactile sensitivity) correlations, suggesting that parent-reported tactile sensory dysfunction and performance-based tactile sensitivity describe different behavioral phenomena. Additionally, both parent-reported tactile functioning and performance-based tactile sensitivity measures were significantly associated with measures of attention. Findings suggest that sensory (tactile) processing abnormalities in ASD are multifaceted, and may partially reflect a more global deficit in behavioral regulation (including attention). Challenges of relying solely on parent-report to describe sensory difficulties faced by children/families with ASD are also highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21211, USA. wodka@kennedykrieger.org.|Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolf St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA. wodka@kennedykrieger.org.
authors.forename: Ericka L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Wodka
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolf St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.|F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 801 N. Broadway St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Nicolaas A J
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Puts
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolf St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.|Department of Neuropsychology, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 1750 E. Fairmount Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
authors.forename: E Mark
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mahone
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolf St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.|F.M. Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 801 N. Broadway St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Richard A E
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Edden
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tommerdahl
authors.affiliation: Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 3901 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21211, USA.|Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolf St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.|Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 716 N. Broadway St., Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.|Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolf St., Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Stewart H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Mostofsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D014110:Touch / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Attention; Autism; Sensory processing; Somatosensory; Vibrotactile