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Published on: October 17, 2025
Capturing Phenotypic Heterogeneity in Differentiated Sensory Processing Profiles: Non-Syndromic Autism and Fragile X
Chandler E Knott1,2, Jane E Roberts1, Elizabeth A Will1
1University of South Carolina, Columbia, USA.
Summary
Sensory processing differences are common in autism and fragile X syndrome (FXS). This study found hyper-responsivity is typical in FXS, while hypo-responsivity is more indicative of autism, with similar challenging behavior links across groups.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Fragile X Syndrome
Background:
- Sensory processing differences are prevalent in neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs), including autism and fragile X syndrome (FXS).
- While common in both autism and FXS, variations in sensory processing based on genetic etiology or autism classification are not well understood.
- Sensory processing differences can manifest as hyper-responsivity, hypo-responsivity, or sensory seeking, and are sometimes linked to challenging behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize sensory processing features in young males with non-syndromic autism, FXS-only, FXS with co-occurring ASD, and neurotypical (NT) children.
- To examine the associations between sensory processing features and challenging behaviors across these groups.
- To explore potential etiological mechanisms and functional consequences of sensory processing differences in NDDs.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 102 male participants aged 24-69 months.
- Participants included groups with non-syndromic autism, FXS-only, FXS+ASD, and NT children.
- Parent-completed questionnaires assessed sensory processing patterns (hyper-responsivity, hypo-responsivity, sensory seeking) and challenging behaviors.
Main Results:
- Autistic children exhibited the highest overall levels of sensory processing differences.
- Hyper-responsivity and sensory seeking were similar in FXS-only and FXS+ASD groups.
- Hypo-responsivity and sensory seeking were similar in autism and FXS+ASD groups, suggesting distinct profiles.
- Associations between sensory processing differences and challenging behaviors were comparable across all groups.
Conclusions:
- Sensory hyper-responsivity appears to be a characteristic of the broader behavioral profile in FXS.
- Sensory hypo-responsivity may be more indicative of autism.
- The findings highlight similarities and differences in sensory processing between autism and FXS.
- Comparable associations between sensory processing and challenging behaviors suggest shared functional consequences despite potential etiological variations.
- Results have implications for targeted diagnostic specificity and intervention strategies for NDDs.
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