Sensory Processing Ability and Challenging Behaviour in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Correlational study

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex developmental disability in which children are found to have difficulties in social interaction, communication and possess restricted and limited interest and actions and self stimulating behaviour. The behaviour of each autism spectrum child is unique. These behaviours range from hypo reaction to hyper reaction depending on the stimulation of the environment.: This study was aimed at finding the relation between sensory processing ability and the challenging behaviour of the children with autism spectrum disorder. This is a cross sectional study with correlational design examining specific sensory processing abilities and challenging behaviour of children with autistic spectrum disorder [n=48] of age 36 months to 120 months [mean = 88 months]. Sensory processing was evaluated with short sensory profile and behaviour was recorded with Conners parent rating scale. Statistical analysis found correlation between sensory processing ability and behaviour of the children with autistic spectrum disorder. Association between few subtypes of sensory processing ability with challenging behaviour was also found.