Assessing Sensory Processing Dysfunction in Adults and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review
Sensory reactivity is a diagnostic criterion for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and has been associated with poorer functional outcomes, behavioral difficulties, and autism severity across the lifespan. Yet, there is little consensus on best practice approaches to assessing sensory processing dysfu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2017-08-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/7/8/108 |
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| author | Denise DuBois Erin Lymer Barbara E. Gibson Pushpal Desarkar Emily Nalder |
| author_facet | Denise DuBois Erin Lymer Barbara E. Gibson Pushpal Desarkar Emily Nalder |
| author_sort | Denise DuBois |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sensory reactivity is a diagnostic criterion for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and has been associated with poorer functional outcomes, behavioral difficulties, and autism severity across the lifespan. Yet, there is little consensus on best practice approaches to assessing sensory processing dysfunction in adolescents and adults with ASD. Despite growing evidence that sensory symptoms persist into adolescence and adulthood, there is a lack of norms for older age groups, and pediatric assessments may not target appropriate functional outcomes or environments. This review identified approaches used to measure sensory processing in the scientific literature, and to describe and compare these approaches to current best practice guidelines that can be incorporated into evidence-based practice. Method and Analysis: A search of scientific databases and grey literature (professional association and ASD society websites), from January 1987–May 2017, uncovered 4769 articles and 12 clinical guidelines. Study and sample characteristics were extracted, charted, and categorized according to assessment approach. Results: There were 66 articles included after article screening. Five categories of assessment approaches were identified: Self- and Proxy-Report Questionnaires, Psychophysical Assessment, Direct Behavioral Observation, Qualitative Interview Techniques, and Neuroimaging/EEG. Sensory research to date has focused on individuals with high-functioning ASD, most commonly through the use of self-report questionnaires. The Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) is the most widely used assessment measure (n = 22), however, a number of other assessment approaches may demonstrate strengths specific to the ASD population. Multi-method approaches to assessment (e.g., combining psychophysical or observation with questionnaires) may have clinical applicability to interdisciplinary clinical teams serving adolescents and adults with ASD. Contribution: A comprehensive knowledge of approaches is critical in the clinical assessment of a population characterized by symptomatic heterogeneity and wide-ranging cognitive profiles. This review should inform future development of international interdisciplinary clinical guidelines on sensory processing assessment in ASD across the lifespan. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T21:21:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-35e98951647e442fae89d3ce741a1cff |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T21:21:14Z |
| publishDate | 2017-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-35e98951647e442fae89d3ce741a1cff2022-12-21T18:49:53ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252017-08-017810810.3390/brainsci7080108brainsci7080108Assessing Sensory Processing Dysfunction in Adults and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping ReviewDenise DuBois0Erin Lymer1Barbara E. Gibson2Pushpal Desarkar3Emily Nalder4Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, CanadaAdult Neurodevelopmental Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, CanadaDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1V7, CanadaAdult Neurodevelopmental Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, CanadaAdult Neurodevelopmental Service, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M6J 1H4, CanadaSensory reactivity is a diagnostic criterion for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and has been associated with poorer functional outcomes, behavioral difficulties, and autism severity across the lifespan. Yet, there is little consensus on best practice approaches to assessing sensory processing dysfunction in adolescents and adults with ASD. Despite growing evidence that sensory symptoms persist into adolescence and adulthood, there is a lack of norms for older age groups, and pediatric assessments may not target appropriate functional outcomes or environments. This review identified approaches used to measure sensory processing in the scientific literature, and to describe and compare these approaches to current best practice guidelines that can be incorporated into evidence-based practice. Method and Analysis: A search of scientific databases and grey literature (professional association and ASD society websites), from January 1987–May 2017, uncovered 4769 articles and 12 clinical guidelines. Study and sample characteristics were extracted, charted, and categorized according to assessment approach. Results: There were 66 articles included after article screening. Five categories of assessment approaches were identified: Self- and Proxy-Report Questionnaires, Psychophysical Assessment, Direct Behavioral Observation, Qualitative Interview Techniques, and Neuroimaging/EEG. Sensory research to date has focused on individuals with high-functioning ASD, most commonly through the use of self-report questionnaires. The Adolescent and Adult Sensory Profile (AASP) is the most widely used assessment measure (n = 22), however, a number of other assessment approaches may demonstrate strengths specific to the ASD population. Multi-method approaches to assessment (e.g., combining psychophysical or observation with questionnaires) may have clinical applicability to interdisciplinary clinical teams serving adolescents and adults with ASD. Contribution: A comprehensive knowledge of approaches is critical in the clinical assessment of a population characterized by symptomatic heterogeneity and wide-ranging cognitive profiles. This review should inform future development of international interdisciplinary clinical guidelines on sensory processing assessment in ASD across the lifespan.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/7/8/108sensory processingsensory reactivityautism spectrum disorderclinical guidelinesinterdisciplinarybest practiceevidence-based practiceadult |
| spellingShingle | Denise DuBois Erin Lymer Barbara E. Gibson Pushpal Desarkar Emily Nalder Assessing Sensory Processing Dysfunction in Adults and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review Brain Sciences sensory processing sensory reactivity autism spectrum disorder clinical guidelines interdisciplinary best practice evidence-based practice adult |
| title | Assessing Sensory Processing Dysfunction in Adults and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review |
| title_full | Assessing Sensory Processing Dysfunction in Adults and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review |
| title_fullStr | Assessing Sensory Processing Dysfunction in Adults and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing Sensory Processing Dysfunction in Adults and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review |
| title_short | Assessing Sensory Processing Dysfunction in Adults and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review |
| title_sort | assessing sensory processing dysfunction in adults and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder a scoping review |
| topic | sensory processing sensory reactivity autism spectrum disorder clinical guidelines interdisciplinary best practice evidence-based practice adult |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/7/8/108 |
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