Sensory Problems in Turkish Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Sensory problems are a core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and tailoring the interventions according to sensory profiles yields better prognosis. Objective: This study profiled the sensory symptoms of children with ASD and their sociodemographic and behavioral correlates. Material and Methods: The sample included 911 Turkish children with ASD (748 male and 163 female) aged between 1-18 years. The study was conducted as an internet survey. Results: Almost all children had a sensory problem in at least one sensory domain. The parents stated that almost half of the children received sensory integration therapy (SIT) and that 3 out of 4 of these children benefited from this method. The rate of receiving SIT for their children with ASD was higher in children of mothers and fathers who had higher education levels. Two out of 3 parents reported that their children have hyperactivity, sleep problems, and food selectivity. Obsessive behaviors were 2 times higher in children with ASD who took non-food objects in their mouths, and almost 7 times more common in children who watched rotating objects. The rates of spinning around themselves, taking nonfood objects in their mouths, and hyperactivity were significantly higher in children who experienced sleep-related problems. Conclusion: This study documents the sensory problems of Turkish children with ASD and how they relate with other behavioral domains, which can be useful for determining the most appropriate therapeutic approaches.