Clinical Study
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 (%) | Mean number of feeding problems (SD) | P
b |
| Tactile sensitivitya | | | | 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 sensitivitya | | | | 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) | |
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a, 1 data point missing.
bComparison of “definite and probable” group with typical performance.
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