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Social Functioning of Pre-School Children With and Without Sensory Modulation Disorder

Shahar Zaguri-Vittenberg1,2, Aviva Yochman2, Shira Bar3

  • 1The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.

Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics
|March 16, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Preschool children with sensory modulation disorder (SMD) show poorer social skills and participation. Social skills and behavioral challenges mediate the link between sensory processing and social participation in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Occupational Therapy

Background:

  • Sensory modulation disorder (SMD) affects children's ability to process sensory information.
  • Difficulties in sensory processing can impact social functioning in preschool-aged children.
  • Understanding the relationship between sensory processing and social participation is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare social functioning (social skills, behavioral challenges, social participation) in preschool children with and without SMD.
  • To investigate if social skills and behavioral challenges mediate the relationship between sensory processing difficulties and social participation.

Main Methods:

  • A comparative study involving 77 preschool children (3-6 years old), with 38 diagnosed with SMD and 39 without.
  • Parent-completed questionnaires assessed children's Sensory Profile, social skills, behaviors, and social participation.
  • Statistical analysis examined mediation effects of social skills and behavioral challenges.

Main Results:

  • Children with SMD exhibited significantly lower social skills and social participation compared to their peers without SMD.
  • Children with SMD also displayed more behavioral challenges than typical peers.
  • Both social skills and behavioral challenges were found to mediate the relationship between sensory processing difficulties and social participation.

Conclusions:

  • Sensory processing differences indirectly influence social participation through their impact on social skills and behavioral challenges.
  • Early identification and intervention for sensory processing difficulties and associated social-behavioral issues are vital for enhancing social participation in young children with SMD.
Abstract

Keywords:
SMDSensory processingsocial functioningsocial participationsocial skillsyoung children

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