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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
09:13
Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Sensory Processing in Sexuality-Based Services for Autistic Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Sarah Gray1, Jennifer Fortuna2, Brittany Jones2
1Occupational Therapy Program, Colorado Mesa University, 1100 North Ave., Grand Junction, CO, 81501, USA. sgray2@coloradomesa.edu.
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
|June 2, 2026
Summary
Sexuality services for autistic individuals often overlook sensory processing needs. Professionals lack training and resources, leading to limited assessment and intervention, particularly for hyposensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Human Sexuality
- Occupational Therapy
Background:
- Sensory processing significantly influences the lived experiences of autistic individuals, impacting relationships.
- Existing sexuality services for autistic people inadequately address sensory processing needs.
- Understanding professional practices is crucial for improving support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how professionals address sensory processing in sexuality-based services for autistic individuals.
- To identify current practices, challenges, and gaps in care.
Main Methods:
- An exploratory survey with 16 items was administered to professionals.
- Participants were licensed professionals providing sex education to autistic individuals.
- Data were collected over two months from 29 respondents across nine disciplines.
Main Results:
- Only 13 of 29 respondents regularly evaluated sensory processing; 19 provided intervention.
- Lack of training, resources, and standard practices were key barriers.
- Proprioceptive and vestibular systems were least addressed; interventions focused on hypersensitivity, neglecting hyposensitivity.
Conclusions:
- There is a lack of autism-specific curricula addressing sensory processing in sexuality education.
- Further research is essential to develop evidence-based resources for this population.
- Improved training and resources are needed for professionals.
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These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:15Sensory Modalities
Sensation typically is the process by which the sensory receptors and sense organs detect stimuli from the internal and external environment and transmit this information to the central nervous system for processing.
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General senses refer to the broad category of sensory information detected by receptors in the body and can be further grouped into somatic and visceral senses. Somatic sensations include touch, pressure, temperature, and pain and are essential for navigating our environment and...
01:11Sensory Perception: Organization of the Somatosensory System
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The receptor level is the first stage of sensation. It involves the detection of a stimulus by specialized sensory receptors. The stimulus must arrive within the receptor's receptive field. Next, the receptor converts the energy of the stimulus...
The receptor level:
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01:29Overview of Somatic Sensory Pathways
Somatic sensory or somatosensory pathways refer to the neural pathways that carry information related to touch, pressure, pain, temperature, and proprioception from the skin, muscles, tendons, and joints to the brain. These pathways involve several stages of processing and integration of sensory information.
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