Sex differences in sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Details

Ressource 1Download: 34288517_BIB_EB9B693703B8.pdf (695.96 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Serval ID
serval:BIB_EB9B693703B8
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Sex differences in sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Journal
Autism research
Author(s)
Osório JMA, Rodríguez-Herreros B., Richetin S., Junod V., Romascano D., Pittet V., Chabane N., Jequier Gygax M., Maillard A.M.
ISSN
1939-3806 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1939-3806
Publication state
Published
Issued date
11/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
14
Number
11
Pages
2412-2423
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Publication Status: ppublish
Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of sensory processing difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little research has focused on the sex differences in sensory processing. Furthermore, there is a lack of knowledge on the female-specific symptoms of ASD, contributing to later referral, diagnosis and intervention. In this study, we examined the sex differences in sensory processing symptoms in large cohorts of ASD children (N = 168; 26 females, 142 males) and typically developing (TD) children (N = 439; 209 females, 230 males). For this, we translated the sensory processing measure (SPM) and SPM - Preschool (SPM-P) Home Forms to French. The SPM/SPM-P are parent/caregiver questionnaires that assess typical behavioral responses to sensory stimuli. Overall, our results showed that the magnitude of the differences in sensory processing between males and females is larger in ASD children relative to TD children, with females showing more severe symptoms in Hearing, as well as Balance and Motion subscales. Additionally, linear discriminant analysis showed that the SPM/SPM-P are good at discriminating TD children from ASD, children with higher accuracy rates for females than for males. These findings are discussed in light of the heterogeneity of sensory processing difficulties present in ASD. Overall, our results suggest that there seem to be female-specific profiles in sensory processing difficulties in ASD. Implications of findings concerning sex differences in sensory processing and their potential for improving identification and diagnosis of ASD females are discussed. LAY SUMMARY: The present study examined sex differences in behavioral responses to sensory stimuli in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and typically developing (TD) children. While there is a small trend for TD males to show more sensory processing atypicalities, female ASD children show significantly more atypical responses compared to their male counterparts. This has important implications for characterizing female autism profiles, and ultimately improving the chance for earlier detection, diagnosis and treatment.
Keywords
Autism Spectrum Disorder/complications, Autistic Disorder, Child, Child, Preschool, Cognition, Female, Humans, Male, Perception, Sex Characteristics, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), child development, sensory processing, sensory processing measure (SPM), sex differences
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
26/07/2021 9:22
Last modification date
23/11/2022 8:16
Usage data