Sensory profiles in autism spectrum disorder and Williams syndrome

Abstract

This thesis explored sensory profiles in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Williams syndrome (WS). The thesis begins with two review papers: the psychological correlates of sensory processing patterns in individuals with ASD were evaluated in a systematic review, followed by a mixed-methods review of sensory processing in Williams syndrome. Next, an investigation of changes in sensory symptoms across different age groups in children with ASD and WS was undertaken and revealed that level of sensory atypicalities in both disorders across age groups were very similar. This was followed with an examination of the sensory profiles of children with ASD without learning disability, ASD with learning disability and WS indicating that the distinction between the diagnostic group based on sensory behaviours and socio-communicative characteristics could hardly be made. A factorial validity of the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale-Parent version was then examined. The conventional SCAS-P structure in the ASD sample was not confirmed, raising concerns regarding the validity of the tool. Further exploration of sensory profiles in ASD and WS was then undertaken, where sensory processing clusters of children with both disorders were examined. The relationships between sensory processing and other clinical features were described and the mediating role of anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty between sensory processing abnormalities and repetitive behaviours was demonstrated. Next, the first comparison of sensory profiles in child-parent dyads in ASD and typical development (TD) was reported indicating some divergent patterns. Finally, a novel direct assessment of auditory and tactile sensory processing was developed and found to show promise as a measure for use with young children with ASD and WS. The synthesis of the evidence across chapters was then discussed and strengths and weaknesses of the current work presented. Suggestions for future research and the implications for clinical and research endeavours were considered.