Sensory Processing Issues Associated With Asperger Syndrome

A Preliminary Investigation

Dunn, Winnie
Myles, Brenda Smith
Orr, Stephany

Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy Education, University of Kansas, 3033 Robinson, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas 66160-7602.
Brenda Smith Myles, PhD, is Professor, Department of Special Education, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas.
Stephany Orr, MSEd, is Director of Children's Ministries, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas.

American Journal of Occupational Therapy 56(1):p 97-102, January-February 2002.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify the sensory processing patterns of children with Asperger syndrome.

METHOD

Researchers compared the performance of 42 children with Asperger syndrome and 42 children without disabilities on section and factor scores of the Sensory Profile.

RESULTS

As reported by parents on the Sensory Profile, the children with Asperger syndrome were significantly different from children without disabilities on 22 of 23 items. This result was obtained with good power estimates (.997–1.00) and large effect sizes (O2 = .267–.732). Both groups of children performed the same on modulation of visual input affecting emotional responses and activity level.

CONCLUSION

This study provides initial evidence that clear differences exist in the sensory processing patterns of children with Asperger syndrome when compared with peers without disabilities.