Sensory processing disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder is to date one of the most common and most complex developmental disorders, due to the multiplicity of behaviors and symptoms of sensory origin in children on the autism spectrum. Sensory processing disorder is one of the most important of these symptoms and represents a disorder in the processing of sensory information, and it appears when multi-sensory integration is not processed properly. Sufficient in order to provide appropriate responses to the requirements of the environment, as the senses provide the child with various information and knowledge through: vision, hearing, touch, smell, taste, proprioception, and the vestibular system in order to perform its functions, and therefore processing disorder problems appear. Sensory in organizing the senses coming from the body and the environment, and is manifested by difficulties in performance, communication, interaction with the environment and others, and practicing daily life activities. We see, for example, that people with autism spectrum disorder face a wide range of difficulties while processing data coming from the different senses. It is even possible that their response Sensory sensitivity is high and exaggerated for a specific response, or it may be a very weak response in which the autistic child does not care about any reaction. This is due to a defect in their sensory pathway and this appears in various approaches, especially through touch, such as the feeling of itching when wearing fabrics. Or prosthetics and difficulty wearing them, while normal children do not feel this, or coming through the vestibule such as feeling motion sickness while riding in the car, or excessive sensitivity to smelling certain types of odors or tasting certain foods. Rather, this disorder affects how the child interacts socially. An autistic child with sensory processing disorder may not be able to focus on a conversation or activity if the lights seem too bright, the sounds are too loud, or there is external noise such as traffic nearby.

Therefore, it is important to deal with this disorder through therapeutic intervention programs and sensory activities based on sensory integration theories. We find, for example but not limited to, that the diverse and studied sensory activities practiced within sensory rooms have a significant impact in reducing sensory processing disorder and developing social skills. And cognitive, as these activities support each autistic child to receive the care and attention he needs based on his individual needs.

United Arab Emirates University