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Updated: Mar 25, 2026
Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Abnormal Pressure Pain, Touch Sensitivity, Proprioception, and Manual Dexterity in Children with Autism Spectrum
Inmaculada Riquelme1, Samar M Hatem2, Pedro Montoya3
1University Institute of Health Sciences Research (IUNICS-IdISPa), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Insights
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exhibit heightened pain and touch sensitivity, alongside impaired fine motor skills and proprioception. These sensory and motor deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders warrant clinical assessment and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Sensory Processing
- Motor Function
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are frequently associated with sensory processing differences and motor skill deficits.
- Traditional assessment methods rely on clinical observation and self-reports, potentially limiting objective data.
- Objective evaluation of somatosensory and motor functions in children with ASD is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To objectively investigate somatosensory and motor function in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
- To compare sensory and motor performance between high-functioning children with ASD and typically developing peers using standardized tests.
Main Methods:
- Assessed tactile and pressure pain thresholds (hands, lips), stereognosis, proprioception, and fine motor skills.
- Included high-functioning children with ASD (n=27) and typically developing controls (n=30).
Main Results:
- Children with ASD demonstrated increased pain and touch sensitivity, particularly in areas linked to C-tactile afferents.
- Diminished fine motor performance and proprioception were observed in children with ASD.
- No significant differences in stereognosis were found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Heightened pain and touch sensitivity in ASD may contribute to hypersensitivity and avoidance behaviors.
- Sensory processing and motor impairments are significant in children with ASD.
- Comprehensive assessment and treatment of both sensory and motor deficits are recommended for children with ASD.
Unlabelled:
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often display an abnormal reactivity to tactile stimuli, altered pain perception, and lower motor skills than healthy children. Nevertheless, these motor and sensory deficits have been mostly assessed by using clinical observation and self-report questionnaires. The present study aims to explore somatosensory and motor function in children with ASD by using standardized and objective testing procedures.
Methods:
Tactile and pressure pain thresholds in hands and lips, stereognosis, proprioception, and fine motor performance of the upper limbs were assessed in high-functioning children with ASD (n = 27) and compared with typically developing peers (n = 30).
Results:
Children with ASD showed increased pain sensitivity, increased touch sensitivity in C-tactile afferents innervated areas, and diminished fine motor performance and proprioception compared to healthy children. No group differences were observed for stereognosis.
Conclusion:
Increased pain sensitivity and increased touch sensitivity in areas classically related to affective touch (C-tactile afferents innervated areas) may explain typical avoiding behaviors associated with hypersensitivity. Both sensory and motor impairments should be assessed and treated in children with ASD.
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