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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
09:13
Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
Adaptive Functioning, Sensory Processing, and Behavioral Problems in Autistic Children: The Moderating Role of Gender
Cory Shulman1, Danielle Bitton2, Zili Nir3,4
1The Autism Center of Hebrew University, The School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Summary
Gender influences how adaptive functioning and sensory processing relate to behavioral issues in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Understanding these differences is key for tailored interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Child Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit emotional and behavioral challenges.
- Factors influencing these difficulties, particularly gender-specific patterns, require further investigation.
- Previous research suggests links between adaptive functioning, sensory processing, and behavioral problems, but gender as a moderator is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationships between adaptive functioning, sensory processing, and behavioral problems in children with ASD.
- To investigate whether gender moderates these associations.
- To identify gender-specific patterns in the development and manifestation of behavioral issues in autism.
Main Methods:
- A purposive sample of 110 children with ASD (50 boys, 60 girls) and their caregivers participated.
- Adaptive functioning was measured using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Third Edition.
- Sensory processing was assessed with the Short Sensory Profile, and behavioral problems with the Child Behavior Checklist.
- Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney tests, Spearman's correlations, and PROCESS moderation analysis with bootstrap resampling.
Main Results:
- Girls with ASD reported higher internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems compared to boys.
- Boys with ASD exhibited greater sensory processing differences than girls.
- Adaptive functioning was more strongly associated with behavioral difficulties in girls, while sensory processing differences were linked to behavioral problems in boys.
- Gender moderated the association between adaptive functioning and behavioral problems, with better adaptive functioning linked to fewer problems in girls.
Conclusions:
- Significant gender-specific patterns exist in the interplay between adaptive functioning, sensory processing, and behavioral problems in children with ASD.
- These findings emphasize the importance of considering gender in understanding autism development and designing targeted interventions.
- Future research and clinical approaches should account for these gender differences to improve outcomes for autistic children.
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