Disentangling the relationship between sensory processing, alexithymia and broad autism spectrum: A study in parents’ of children with autism spectrum disorders and sensory processing disorders
Ana Sofia Machado , Goretti Dias , Irene P. Carvalho
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Autistic features and sensory processing difficulties and their phenotypic co-expression with alexithymia share a transdiagnostic vulnerability. In this work, we explored whether the current concept of broad autism phenotype rather translates altered sensory processing (non-specific to autism), meaning that the characteristics of altered sensory processing should be overexpressed among individuals with heightened vulnerability to sensory processing atypicalities (parents of children with sensorial processing disorder, or SPD parents) and individuals with heightened vulnerability to autistic traits (parents of children with autism spectrum disorders, or ASD parents). In addition, the association between altered sensory processing and alexithymia was inspected.
Method
The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, Autism Spectrum Quotient, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale were completed by 31 parents of children with ASD, 32 parents of children with SPD, and 52 parents of typically developed (TD) children.
Results
Extreme sensory patterns were overexpressed both in parents of children with SPD and parents of children with ASD when compared to parents of TD children. In addition, extreme sensory patterns were significantly associated with alexithymia scores. Specifically, sensory avoidance, low registration, and sensory sensitivity were positively correlated with alexithymia. No significant differences were found regarding the proportion of autistic traits and alexithymia between ASD and SPD groups of parents.
Conclusions
These results challenge the specificity of broad autism phenotype and suggest a neurodevelopmental atypicity with roots in altered sensory and emotional processing.
背景自闭症特征和感觉处理障碍及其与孤独症的表型共同表现具有跨诊断的脆弱性。在这项研究中,我们探讨了目前广义自闭症表型的概念是否是指感官加工改变(非自闭症特异性),即感官加工改变的特征应在感官加工不典型性易感性增高的个体(感官加工障碍儿童的父母,或 SPD 父母)和自闭症特征易感性增高的个体(自闭症谱系障碍儿童的父母,或 ASD 父母)中过度表达。方法31名自闭症谱系障碍儿童的家长、32名感觉处理障碍儿童的家长和52名典型发育(TD)儿童的家长填写了青少年/成人感觉档案、自闭症谱系商数和多伦多自闭症量表。结果与典型发育(TD)儿童的家长相比,感觉处理障碍儿童的家长和自闭症谱系障碍儿童的家长都过度表现出极端感觉模式。此外,极端感觉模式与情感障碍得分有显著关联。具体来说,感官回避、低登记和感官敏感与情感障碍呈正相关。这些结果对广义自闭症表型的特异性提出了质疑,并表明自闭症是一种神经发育异常,其根源在于感官和情绪处理的改变。
期刊介绍:
Research In Developmental Disabilities is aimed at publishing original research of an interdisciplinary nature that has a direct bearing on the remediation of problems associated with developmental disabilities. Manuscripts will be solicited throughout the world. Articles will be primarily empirical studies, although an occasional position paper or review will be accepted. The aim of the journal will be to publish articles on all aspects of research with the developmentally disabled, with any methodologically sound approach being acceptable.