Sensory clusters of toddlers with autism spectrum disorders: differences in affective symptoms

TLDR

ASD individuals show variable sensory behaviors, and sensory‑affective differences persist even after adjusting for ASD severity. The study aimed to identify sensory‑profile clusters among toddlers with ASD and compare their affective symptoms across these clusters. Using parent‑rated Infant Toddler Sensory Profile data, 170 toddlers were clustered by under‑, over‑, and seeking‑responsivity, and affective symptoms were assessed with the Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment. Three clusters emerged—low, high, and mixed sensory symptom frequency—and toddlers in the high‑ and mixed‑frequency clusters were rated higher on negative emotionality, depression, and anxiety than the low‑frequency cluster, with these differences remaining after controlling for ASD severity.

Abstract

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) show variability in their sensory behaviors. In this study we identified clusters of toddlers with ASDs who shared sensory profiles and examined differences in affective symptoms across these clusters.Using cluster analysis 170 toddlers with ASDs were grouped based on parent rating of the Infant Toddler Sensory Profile (Dunn, 2002) under-responsivity, over-responsivity, and seeking scales. Affective symptoms were evaluated with the Infant Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (Carter & Briggs-Gowan, 2005).Three clusters were identified: (1) low frequency of sensory symptoms (n = 44); (2) high frequency of symptoms (n = 49); and (3) mixed (n = 77); high frequency of under-and over-responsivity and low frequency of seeking). Relative to the low frequency cluster, parents rated toddlers in the high frequency and mixed clusters (both characterized by high frequencies of sensory under- and over-responsivity) as higher on negative emotionality, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Sensory and affective differences among clusters remained after co-varying severity of ASD symptoms.Interdisciplinary assessments are recommended for toddlers with ASDs in order to identify the interplay of sensory and affective symptoms.