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Updated: May 10, 2026

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Differences in function among children with sensory processing disorders, physical disabilities, and typical
Dayle C Armstrong1, Donna Redman-Bentley, Mary Wardell
1Department of Physical Therapy Education, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona 91766, California, USA. darmstron@westernu.edu
Purpose:
To examine the capability and performance of children with sensory processing disorders (SPD) compared with children who are developing typically and those with physical disabilities (PD).
Methods:
Participants included parents/caregivers of 81 children ranging in age from 1 to 7.3 years; 57% were boys. The child's therapist interviewed the parents using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) to measure functional performance.
Results:
Children with SPD demonstrated significant differences from children in the other groups in functional skills and caregiver assistance within 3 domains (self-care, mobility, social function).
Conclusions:
The PEDI can be used to (1) identify functional delays in young children with SPD, which can affect participation in age-appropriate self-care, mobility, and social skills, and (2) determine appropriate referrals for early intervention.
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