Association of Sensory Processing and Eating Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Table 2

Classification of children with ASD, by SSP and mean number of associated eating problems.

Sections of the SSP and children’s classifications	ASD 𝑛 (%)	Mean number of feeding problems (SD)	P ^b
Tactile sensitivity^a
Definite difference	35 (36.8)	15.6 (6.4)
Probable difference	23 (24.2)	15.4 (4.7)	<0.021
Typical performance	36 (37.9)	11.8 (6.7)
Taste/smell sensitivity^a
Definite difference	46 (48.4)	18.0 (5.2)
Probable difference	15 (15.8)	11.5 (4.7)	<0.0001
Typical performance	33 (34.7)	9.7 (4.9)
Movement sensitivity
Definite difference	27 (28.4)	15.0 (6.7)
Probable difference	19 (20.0)	14 (5.7)	0.637
Typical performance	49 (51.6)	13.6 (6.4)
Underresponsive/seeks sensation
Definite difference	64 (67.4)	14.7 (5.9)
Probable difference	16 (16.8)	12.2 (7.1)	0.336
Typical performance	15 (15.8)	13.5 (7.1)
Auditory filtering
Definite difference	53 (55.8)	15.3 (6.6)
Probable difference	23 (24.2)	12.7 (4.8)	0.123
Typical performance	19 (20.0)	12.5 (6.8)
Low energy/weak
Definite difference	41 (43.2)	15.2 (6.9)
Probable difference	12 (12.6)	11.8 (5.2)	0.223
Typical performance	42 (44.2)	13.7 (5.9)
Visual/auditory sensitivity
Definite difference	21 (22.1)	17.6 (6.1)
Probable difference	30 (31.6)	14.2 (6.5)	<0.006
Typical performance	44 (46.3)	12.3 (5.7)
Total score
Definite difference	62 (65.3)	15.5 (6.0)
Probable difference	20 (21.1)	10.9 (6.0)	<0.007
Typical performance	13 (13.7)	12.2 (6.3)

^a𝑛=94, 1 data point missing.
^bComparison of “definite and probable” group with typical performance.