Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
09:13

Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Published on: April 22, 2015

Sensory processing and neurodevelopmental disorder traits in 4- to 5-year-old Dutch children adjusted for sex,

Selena J Rosinda1,2,3, Pieter J Hoekstra4,5,6, Mijna Hadders-Algra7,6,8

  • 1University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Division of Developmental Neurology, Groningen, the Netherlands. s.j.rosinda@umcg.nl.

European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
|July 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Sensory processing difficulties are common in young children and linked to neurodevelopmental traits. These challenges correlate with social, attention, and motor issues, impacting child development.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Sensory processing is crucial for children's overall development, influencing various developmental domains.
  • Understanding sensory processing is key to identifying potential neurodevelopmental challenges early on.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sensory processing in 4-5-year-old children.
  • To examine the relationship between sensory processing and neurodevelopmental disorder traits (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder).

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 557 Dutch children aged 4-5 years was assessed.
  • Sensory processing was measured using the Sensory Profile.
  • Neurodevelopmental traits were evaluated using parent/teacher questionnaires and motor assessments, with covariates including infant neurodevelopment and intelligence.

Main Results:

  • Sensory processing difficulties were identified in 35-44% of the children.
  • Difficulties in seeking, avoiding, or being sensitive to sensory stimuli were associated with increased social responsiveness problems.
  • These sensory issues also correlated with hyperactive/inattentive behavior and motor difficulties.

Conclusions:

  • Sensory processing difficulties are prevalent in preschool-aged children, particularly those with atypical early development.
  • Specific sensory processing challenges are significantly related to the severity of neurodevelopmental disorder traits.
Abstract

Keywords:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderAutism Spectrum DisorderDevelopmental Coordination DisorderDimensional approachSensory processing

More Related Videos

P50 Sensory Gating in Infants12:55

P50 Sensory Gating in Infants

Published on: December 26, 2013

Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities09:38

Quantitative Assessment of Cortical Auditory-tactile Processing in Children with Disabilities

Published on: January 29, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
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.
Information Processing Approach01:30

Information Processing Approach

The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
Intellectual Disability01:29

Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
Biological Influences on Intelligence01:30

Biological Influences on Intelligence

Intelligence is often thought to be linked to brain size, but the relationship is more complex than that. While brain size does correlate modestly with some abilities, like verbal skills, the connection is weaker for others, such as spatial reasoning. Other factors, like brain structure, also play crucial roles. For instance, despite Einstein's smaller-than-average brain, his parietal cortex, which is involved in spatial reasoning, was 15% wider, suggesting that neural density might matter more...
Three Developmental Domains01:29

Three Developmental Domains

Human development is typically examined across three main domains: physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional. These domains represent the significant areas of change and continuity throughout the lifespan, from infancy to late adulthood.
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence01:29

Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Despite the strong genetic influence on traits like intelligence, environmental factors significantly shape outcomes. For example, while over 90% of height variation is due to genetic differences, environmental factors such as nutrition also have a notable impact. Similarly, for intelligence, changes in a child's surroundings can significantly alter their IQ. Research shows that enriched environments boost children's academic success and help them develop key cognitive skills. Children from...