Exploring Sensory Subgroups in Typical Development and Autism Spectrum Development Using Factor Mixture Modelling.

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Sensory processing in children
• Autism spectrum disorder research

Background:

• Sensory processing differences are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Understanding these differences can inform targeted interventions.
• The Short Sensory Profile (SSP) measures sensory behaviors in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify distinct subgroups of autistic and typically-developing children based on sensory processing patterns.
• To examine how different sensory subscales influence overall SSP performance across subgroups.
• To investigate the relationship between sensory profiles and co-occurring conditions like anxiety and sleep disturbances in autistic children.

Main Methods:

• Factor mixture modeling was applied to Short Sensory Profile (SSP) data collected at two time points.
• Participants included young autistic and typically-developing children.
• Subgroup analyses were conducted to differentiate sensory processing patterns.

Main Results:

• Three distinct subgroups emerged: one largely typical, one characterized by low energy/weakness sensory behaviors, and a third with broadly atypical sensory scores.
• Autistic children in the atypical sensory subgroups exhibited larger P1 amplitudes to loud sounds.
• Higher anxiety and sleep disturbances were associated with more atypical SSP scores in autistic participants.

Conclusions:

• Factor mixture modeling effectively differentiates sensory processing profiles in young autistic and typically-developing children.
• Specific sensory patterns, such as those related to low energy, are prominent in certain autistic subgroups.
• Sensory atypicalities in autism are linked to increased anxiety and sleep problems, highlighting the need for integrated support.