Sensory Issues and Occupational Participation in Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism: A Scoping Review

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may experience hypo- or hyperreactivity to sensory input. To date, sensory features of ASD have mostly been studied in children, with people over the age of 18 underrepresented in research. Therefore, this scoping review focuses on sensory factors affecting the everyday lives of adolescents and young adults with ASD.

The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and included peer-reviewed studies of people with ASD aged 15-29 years who have sensory challenges affecting their occupational engagement and participation. Literature was searched in five electronic bibliographic databases. Records identified from the initial database search (n = 2,959) were imported into Rayyan and screened blindly.

Qualitative content analysis was performed on six qualitative studies that met the inclusion criteria using Atlas.ti. Three categories were developed: (1) interconnectedness of social and sensory experiences, (2) individual pursuit of balance, and (3) achieving and sustaining professional competence.

This review suggests that sensory processing challenges profoundly influence occupational participation in young people with ASD, affecting not only their subjective experience but also their access to social, academic, and professional environments. Developing individualized sensory supports and environment adaptations are crucial for promoting meaningful occupational engagement and well-being.