Dados do Trabalho

Título

SENSORY DYSFUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Introdução

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. It is estimated that over 90% of individuals with ASD display sensory disturbances that can potentially impact social participation. Understanding the most frequent sensory patterns in the population of children with ASD may contribute to identifying the best therapeutic strategies for these individuals. The description of the types of sensory dysfunction in children with ASD has been limited to patterns related to reactivity, with scarce information regarding the phenotypic characterization of each sensory domain.

Objetivo

To identify and characterize the pattern of sensory dysfunctions in children with ASD.

Método

This was a cross-sectional observational study. Children aged between 7 and 11 years of both sexes with ASD and an estimated Intelligence Quotient between 60 and 124 were included. The EASI (Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration) assessment tool was applied. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, version 26. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

Resultados

A total of 42 children were included, 88.1% of whom were male. According to the EASI, the most affected sensory domains were vestibular perception (95.2%), followed by praxis (76.2%), tactile perception (76.2%), and visual perception (69.0%). The most frequently observed findings in the vestibular domain were bilateral integration failure (92.9%) and altered postural control (71.4%).

Conclusão

Children with ASD may exhibit sensory alterations not anticipated by standard instruments and not yet recognized by the DSM-5. Evaluation using a robust sensory integration assessment tool is necessary for a thorough assessment, allowing for an individualized treatment plan aimed at optimizing autonomy and improving the child's social participation.

Referências

Baranek, G. T. (2002). Efficacy of sensory and motor interventions for children with autism. In Autism and Sensory Processing Disorders.

Tomchek, S. D., & Dunn, W. (2007). Sensory processing in children with and without autism: A comparative study. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37(3), 63-84.

Schaaf, R. C., & Lane, A. E. (2015). Sensory Processing Disorder: A Review of the Literature. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 8(3), 276-290.

Palavras Chave

AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; Children; sensory integration