Sensory correlates of difficult temperament characteristics in preschool children with autism

This study was aimed to investigate the rate of co-occurring sensory processing (SP) dysfunction in children with autism who had a difficult temperament characteristics, and the relationship between SP dysfunction and temperament characteristics in preschool children with autism. A total of 111 children aged 48–84 months, 67 children with autism and 44 age-matched typically developing children, participated in this study. Results of the study indicated that SP dysfunction was prevalent in children with autism who had difficult temperament characteristics, and that different SP patterns were associated with different temperament characteristics in preschool children with autism. In summary, the present findings highlight the importance of evaluating SP patterns in addition to assessing temperament in children with autism in order for clinicians to plan appropriate intervention programs and support children's participation in their daily lives. Furthermore, the knowledge of the relationship between difficult temperament characteristics and SP dysfunction of the child can foster parental appreciation of individual differences in children, provide parents effective strategies to manage children's behaviors, and promote adaptive parent–child interaction.

► SP dysfunction is prevalent in children with autism with difficult temperament.
► SP patterns were associated with different difficult temperament characteristics.
► Sensory seeking behavior was associated with activity level and adaptability.
► Sensory avoiding behavior was associated with low adaptability.
► Sensory sensitivity behavior was associated with high intensity.