Sensory Dysfunction and Problem Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum and Other ...

103 Pages·2016·1.95 MB·English

by  Julie Marie Canfield

Pacific University
CommonKnowledge
School of Graduate Psychology College of Health Professions
12-5-2008
Sensory Dysfunction and Problem Behaviors in
Children with Autism Spectrum and Other
Developmental Disorders
Julie Marie Canfield
Pacific University
Recommended Citation
Canfield, Julie Marie (2008). Sensory Dysfunction and Problem Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum and Other
Developmental Disorders (Doctoral dissertation, Pacific University). Retrieved from:
http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/48
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Health Professions at CommonKnowledge. It has been accepted for
inclusion in School of Graduate Psychology by an authorized administrator of CommonKnowledge. For more information, please contact
[email protected].
Sensory Dysfunction and Problem Behaviors in Children with Autism
Spectrum and Other Developmental Disorders
Abstract
Atypical responses to sensory input are increasingly recognized as a common feature of autism spectrum
disorders (ASDs). These unusual sensory responses have also been found among children with other
developmental disabilities (DDs), and research has been mixed regarding the specificity of sensory
dysfunction in autism. Furthermore, very little attention has been given to differences or similarities between
Autistic Disorder (AD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) in
sensory symptom presentations. Moreover, despite the widespread presence of sensory abnormalities in
ASDs, there is a dearth of research regarding the behavioral sequelae of sensory dysfunction in this
population. The original Sensory Profile (SP) and the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP) were utilized for
measuring sensory symptoms and yielded factor, section, and quadrant scores. Initially, as quadrant scores
have not been explored with a clinic-referred sample, the validity of Dunn's (1997) quadrant model was
examined with a combined sample of clinic-referred children with AD, PDD-NOS, and other DDs, between
18-71 months of age. Results provided no support for a quadrant model, instead supporting a one-factor
model. Quadrant scores were thus not used in additional analyses. Next, the sensory functioning of three
groups of children (AD, PDDNOS, other DDs) was compared. Results were largely unsupportive of sensory
dysfunction specificity among children with ASDs relative to the DD group, and no differences were noted
between AD and PDD-NOS groups. Finally, the relationship between sensory symptoms and Internalizing/
Externalizing Problems scores on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was investigated for the combined
sample, yielding a significant positive relationship. For the SP, Vestibular and Emotionally Reactive scores
predicted internalizing behaviors; and Touch and Sensory Seeking scores predicted externalizing behaviors.
For the ITSP, Auditory, Tactile, Low Threshold-Context, Avoiding, and Low Registration scores predicted
internalizing behaviors; and Tactile, Seeking, and Low Registration scores predicted externalizing behaviors.
In conclusion, results supported neither the validity of Dunn's quadrant model nor the specificity of sensory
dysfunction in autism. However, results indicated a link between sensory symptoms and problematic
behaviors, with important implications for the multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of children with
ASDs and other DDs.
Degree Type
Dissertation
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Comments
Additional Advisor: Darryn M. Sikora, Ph.D.
This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge:http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/48
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This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge:http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/48
SENSORY DYSFUNCTION AND PROBLEM BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN WITH
AUTISM SPECTRUM AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS
A DISSERTATION
SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY
OF
SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
HILLSBORO, OREGON
BY
JULIE MARIE CANFIELD, M.S.
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE ,
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REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE .
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DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY
DECEMBER 5, 2008
Jay C. Thom~. ·Ph.D., ABPP
Trevor A. Hall, Psy.D.
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PROFESSOR AND DEAN:_
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-- - ------ ---------
ABSTRACT
Atypical responses to sensory input are increasingly recognized as a common feature of
autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). These unusual sensory responses have also been
found among children with other developmental disabilities (DDs), and research has been
mixed regarding the specificity of sensory dysfunction in autism. Furthermore, very little
attention has been given to differences or similarities between Autistic Disorder (AD) and
Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) in sensory
symptom presentations. Moreover, despite the widespread presence of sensory
abnormalities in ASDs, there is a dearth of research regarding the behavioral sequelae of
sensory dysfunction in this population. The original Sensory Profile (SP) and the
Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP) were utilized for measuring sensory symptoms and
yielded factor, section, and quadrant scores. Initially, as quadrant scores have not been
explored with a clinic-referred sample, the validity of Dunn's (1997) quadrant model was
examined with a combined sample of clinic-referred children with AD, PDD-NOS, and
other DDs, between 18-71 months of age. Results provided no support for a quadrant
model, instead supporting a one-factor model. Quadrant scores were thus not used ~n
additional analyses. Next, the sensory functioning ofthree groups of children (AD, PDD
NOS, other DDs) was compared. Results were largely unsupportive of sensory
dysfunction specificity among children with ASDs relative to the DD group, and no
differences were noted between AD and PDD-NOS groups. Finally, the relationship
between sensory symptoms and Internalizing/Externalizing Problems scores on the Child
ii
------------------- ---------- -------- ---------- -- -- - -
Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was investigated for the combined sample, yielding a
significant positive relationship. For the SP, Vestibular and Emotionally Reactive scores
predicted internalizing behaviors; and Touch and Sensory Seeking scores predicted
externalizing behaviors. For the ITSP, Auditory, Tactile, Low Threshold-Context,
Avoiding, and Low Registration scores predicted internalizing behaviors; and Tactile,
Seeking, and Low Registration scores predicted externalizing behaviors. Iri conclusion,
results supported neither the validity of Dunn's quadrant model nor the specificity of
sensory dysfunction in autism. However, results indicated a link between sensory
symptoms and problematic behaviors, with important implications for the
multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of children with ASDs and other DDs.
111
--------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------------
-- -- ----- --------- ---- --------- ---- ------
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my dissertation committee members who contributed to the genesis
of this project through thoughtful discussions, and to the completion of the project with
their availability and assistance throughout.
I would also like to thank the team of professionals, and particularly the occupational
therapists, in the Autism Program at the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center>- _
(CDRC) at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) for their participation in data
collection for this study.
IV
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT _. ......... _. ............................................................................ .ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .................. _. _. _. ........................................ _._._ ......... .iv
LIST OF TABLES ............... _. .....................................................................v ii
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................... _. .ix
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 1
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON SENSORY SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN WITH
AN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER ........................................................ .4
Sensory Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Relative to
Typically-Developing Children ....................... _. .................................. .4
Sensory Symptoms in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Relative to
Children with other Disabilities ................................... _. .......................9
Sensory Symptoms within Autism Spectrum Disorders .............................. 12
ON BEHAVIOR PATTERNS IN AUTISM ...................... : ............... _. ........... .14
Stereotyped and Repetitive Behaviors ................................................... 14
Problem Behaviors .................... _. _. ................................................. 15
MODEL OF SENSORY PROCESSING PATTERNS .............................................. 18
HYPOTHESES AND PURPOSE ......................... _. ... _. ..................................... 21
METHODS .. _. ................................ __ ..... _. ................................ _. ... _. _'" .. 25
Participants ............... _. ..................................... _. ..........................2 5
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._ .. . - -----.--.- _. . _ -•._ ._ .. .. .. _. ...... ..._ . ._--_ ... .- - ...- --- --.- - ---
Measures .................................................................................... 28
Procedures ................................................................................... 35
Data Analyses .............................................................................. 36
RESULTS ................................................................................................ 38
Validity of Quadrant ModeL .............................................................. 38
Group Differences in Sensory Symptoms ............................................... 52
Relationship between Sensory Symptoms and Behavior Patterns ................... 57
Descriptive Statistics .......................................................................6 1
DISCUSSION ........................................................................................ 68
Validity of Quadrant Model. ........ , .......... " ........... , . " .......................... 68
Group Differences in Sensory Symptoms ...............................................7 1
Relationship between Sensory Symptoms and Behavior Patterns .. '" .............. 75
Conclusion .................................................................................. 81
REFERENCES ........................................................................................... 83
APPENDIX .................................... ; ........................................................... 90
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_-_
_._ ----_._---- - ----- ---- ---.- -- .-_ .. ..._ --- -
LIST OF TABLES
Page
Table 1. Dunn's (1997) Quadrant Model of Sensory Processing Patterns .............. '" .19
Table 2. Unrotated Component Matrix of Second-Order Principal Components Analysis
for Original Sensory Profile .......................... _. ............................................ .41
Table 3. Rotated Component Matrix of Second-Order Principal Components Analysis
for Original Sensory Profile ........................................................................4 1
Table 4. Original Sensory Profile Quadrant Inter-Correlations ................................... .44
Table 5. Unrotated Component Matrix of Second-Order Principal Components
Analysis for Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile Factor Scores .................................... 47
Table 6. Rotated Component Matrix of Second-Order Principal Components Analysis
for Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile Factor Scores ........................................ _. ..... .47
Table 7. Unrotated Component Matrix of Second-Order Principal Components
Analysis for Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile Section Scores ................................. 50
Table 8. Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile Quadrant Inter-Correlations ........................ 51
Table 9. Between-Subjects Effects: Differences between Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD) and Non-Spectrum Groups on Original SensoryProfile Factor Scores ............ 53
Table 10. Between-Subjects Effects: Differences between Autistic Disorder (AD),
Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS), and
Non-Spectrum Groups on Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile Section Scores .................. 54
Vll
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