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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Sensory Responsiveness in Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Claudia L Hilton1,2,3,4, Alison Babb-Keeble5,6, Erin Eitzmann Westover7,6
1Department of Occupational Therapy and Division of Rehabilitation Science, School of Health Professions, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX, USA. clhilton@utmb.edu.
Abstract:
This study examined sensory responsiveness in unaffected siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associations between sensory responsiveness and social severity. Sensory Profile Caregiver Questionnaires and Social Responsiveness Scales were completed by parents of 185 children between age 4 and 10.95 years. Significant differences were found between participants with ASD and controls, and between participants with ASD and unaffected siblings for all sensory quadrants and domains, but not between controls and unaffected siblings. Social responsiveness scores were significantly correlated with scores from most sensory profile categories. Sensory responsiveness as an endophenotype of ASD is not indicated from these findings; however, studies with larger numbers of unaffected siblings and controls are needed to confirm the null hypothesis.
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