Associate Professor Alison Lane

© 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Recent reports identify sensory subtypes in ASD based on shared patterns of responses to daily sensory stimuli [Ausderau et al., 2014; Lane, Molloy, & Bishop, 2014]. Lane et al. propose that two broad sensory dimensions, sensory reactivity and multisensory integration, best explain the differences between subtypes, however this has yet to be tested. The present study tests this hypothesis by examining the latent constructs underlying Lane's sensory subtypes. Participants for this study were caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 2¿12 years. Caregiver responses on the Short Sensory Profile (SSP), used to establish Lane's sensory subtypes, were extracted from two existing datasets (total n = 287). Independent component analyses were conducted to test the fit and interpretability of a two-construct structure underlying the SSP, and therefore, the sensory subtypes. The first construct was largely comprised of the taste/smell sensitivity domain, which describes hyper-reactivity to taste and smell stimuli. The second construct had a significant contribution from the low energy/weak domain, which describes behaviors that may be indicative of difficulties with multisensory integration. Findings provide initial support for our hypothesis that sensory reactivity and multisensory integration underlie Lane's sensory subtypes in ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1364¿1371. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

© 2017, © The Author(s) 2017. Introduction: Preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are at higher risk of poor neurodevelopmental and sensory outcomes. There is interest in establishing whether elements of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit sensory environment may influence the sensory and overall development of these infants. Method: The purpose of this scoping review was to provide a comprehensive overview of relevant research regarding the sensory elements of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and their short- and long-term influence on preterm infants. This scoping review is underpinned by the six-stage framework by Arksey and O¿Malley. Results: There are few studies that have directly examined the influence of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit environment upon the sensory and developmental outcomes of infants born preterm, in infancy. The findings of the studies included in this review suggest that the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit sensory environment may alter developmental trajectories of preterm infants. However, low-quality evidence exists in this field, with much of the literature being preliminary. Conclusion: Further experimental studies are required that combine multiple methods of assessment to more rigorously understand the sensory characteristics of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and their relationship with developmental outcomes across early childhood.

© 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York. Sensory difficulties are a commonly occurring feature of autism spectrum disorders and are now included as one manifestation of the ¿restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities¿ diagnostic criteria of the DSM5 necessitating guidelines for comprehensive assessment of these features. To facilitate the development of such guidelines, this paper provides an overview of the literature on sensory features in autism spectrum disorder. We summarize the literature pertaining to: terminology, current assessment practices, sensory development, and the relationship of sensory features to core symptoms of autism. The paper concludes with recommendations for clinical assessment of sensory features in Autism.

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience difficulties with social participation, play, and leisure along with restricted and repetitive behaviors that can interfere with occupational performance. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate current evidence for interventions within the occupational therapy scope of practice that address these difficulties. Strong evidence was found that social skills groups, the Picture Exchange Communication System, joint attention interventions, and parent-mediated strategies can improve social participation. The findings were less conclusive for interventions to improve play and leisure performance and to decrease restricted and repetitive behaviors, but several strategies showed promise with moderately strong supporting evidence. Occupational therapists should be guided by evidence when considering interventions to improve social participation, play, leisure, and restricted and repetitive behaviors in people with ASD. Additional research using more robust scientific methods is needed for many of the currently available strategies.

Objective. To measure upper-extremity and gross motor skill development in infants with and without risk factors for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method. Data were coded retrospectively from 39 infants who participated in longitudinal structured early developmental assessments. Twenty-five infants were at high risk for ASD, and the remaining 14 infants were classified as low risk. Upper-extremity and motor skill development were coded at ages 2, 4, and 6 mo. Five infants went on to receive an ASD diagnosis at age 2-4 yr. Results. Infants at high risk for ASD demonstrated fewer midline behaviors with the upper extremities and delayed motor skill development than the low-risk group. Differences in motor skills were most apparent at age 4 mo. Conclusion. Early monitoring for motor delay in infants at high risk for ASD is warranted. Midline control and play with the upper extremities and overall motor skill development are possible assessment and therapeutic targets.

This study examines whether sensory differences can be used to classify meaningful subgroups of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Caregivers of children with ASD aged 2-10 years (n=228) completed the Short Sensory Profile. Model-based cluster analysis was used to extract sensory subtypes. The relationship of these subtypes to age, gender, autism symptom severity, and nonverbal intelligence quotient (IQ) was further explored. Four distinct sensory subtypes were identified: (a) sensory adaptive; (b) taste smell sensitive; (c) postural inattentive; and (d) generalized sensory difference. The sensory subtypes differ from each other on two dimensions: (a) the severity of reported sensory differences; and (b) the focus of differences across auditory, taste, smell, vestibular and proprioceptive domains. Examination of the clinical features of each subtype reveals two possible mechanisms of sensory disturbance in autism: (a) sensory hyperreactivity; and (b) difficulties with multisensory processing. Further, the sensory subtypes are not well explained by other variables such as age, gender, IQ, and autism symptom severity. We conclude that classification of children using sensory differences offers a promising method by which to identify phenotypes in ASD. Sensory-based phenotypes may be useful in identifying behavioral features responsive to specific interventions thereby improving intervention effectiveness. Further validation of the sensory-based phenotypes by establishing neural and physiological correlates is recommended. Autism Res 2014, 7: 322-333. © 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Thirty children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 3 to 10 years participated in this study exploring associations between problem eating behaviors, daily nutrient intake, and sensory disturbance. Parents completed surveys regarding the usual eating behaviors of their children. Children exhibiting more severe autism-specific disruptive behaviors at mealtimes were most at risk for suboptimal intake of select nutrients such as biotin, vitamin K, iodine, linolenic omega-3 fatty acids, and choline, which play a role in metabolism and bone and brain health. Children exhibiting food refusal tended to have increased caloric and nutrient intake. Picky eaters were more likely to consume adequate daily nutrients but experienced the highest levels of parent-reported taste/smell sensitivity. The findings of this preliminary study support a multifactorial approach to the management of problem eating behaviors in ASD. © 2014 The Author(s).