Differences and Relationships Between Sensory Profile and Repetitive Behavior in Autism

Bibliographic Data

ID15714726
AuthorsMaría-Dolores Cárcel-López (Universidad de Murcia, corresponding author), Mercedes Ferrándo (0000-0001-9198-1390, Universidad de Murcia)
Year2025
Volume12
Issue4
Pages504-504
Publication date2025-04-14
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children12040504
PMID40310120
OpenAlexW4409458382
LanguageEN
References cited52

Repetitive behaviors are actions that are performed consistently and repeatedly, often without an obvious functional purpose. These types of behaviors are common and diverse in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and can influence daily life, making social integration difficult for individuals who experience them and thus becoming a source of distress. Research show that, in most individuals with ASD, sensory processing tends to be affected. It has been suggested that, in children with ASD, sensory processing disorders can cause them to experience their environment in an exaggerated or diminished way, and this affects their behavior. Repetitive behaviors may emerge as a way to regulate the level of stimulation and achieve a state of sensory balance. Objectives : The aim of this investigation is to study differences and relationships between the sensory profile and repetitive behavior in autism. Methods: A total of 48 students, aged 4 to 26 years (M = 14.39; SD = 7.24), participated. The Bodfish Repetitive Behavior Scale and Sensory Profile 2 by Dunn were used as instruments of measure. Results: Results show that the student groups differ only in some variables, with Level 3 students being the most affected. In this sense, Level 3 students present with higher self-injury, greater tactile and movement processing difficulties, and higher registration (passive response and a high threshold of perception). Hyper-reactivity shows a weak prediction power over insistence of sameness, while hypo-reactivity showed none. Conclusions: Correlations between repetitive behavior and sensory processing were weak and of low magnitude, which contradicts the previous literature

Affect (linguistics · Audiology · Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Cognitive psychology · Developmental psychology · Distress · Perception · Reactivity (psychology · Sensory processing · Sensory stimulation therapy · Sensory system · Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Clinical Psychology · Communication · Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology

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