[Sensory regulation disorders in child psychiatry]

The processing of sensory information determines the development and growth of a child's abilities. Dysfunction in the processing of sensory stimuli can affect a child's behavior and can disrupt development. Sensory Regulation Disorders are frequently associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with the DSM-5 even including it as a diagnostic criterion. However, they are also observed in other neurodevelopmental disorders. At present, the frequency of Sensory Regulation Disorders in children consulting child psychiatry has never been evaluated, although it seems to be a population at risk.

To evaluate the frequency of sensory regulation disorders in children between 3 and 6 years old who first consult a child psychiatrist in Marseille. To determine whether certain reasons for consultation are correlated with the presence of sensory regulation disorders.

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted for four months in Marseille. Sensory regulation disorders were assessed by the second version of Dunn's short sensory profile.

Fifty-eight patients were included. A significant difference was found between the frequency of SRT in our primary child psychiatry population and the general population. Subgroup analyses according to the reason for consultation showed that there would be more SRT in the Motor Instability/Inattention, Conduct Disorder and Socialization Disorder subgroups.

We observed a higher frequency of SRT in the child psychiatry consultation population. SRT could explain, or at least partly participate in, the children's symptomatology. The results are in favor of an early detection of SRT in the population of children consulting child psychiatry. The evaluation of the sensory profiles of these children allows a better understanding of the child's functioning and an adjustment of the intervention and support strategies proposed to the family.