Challenges with behavior and self-regulation are associated with differences in sensory features, occurring in the general population and at higher rates in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of how specific sensory features impact self-regulation and ultimately contribute to behavioral challenges in young children. Further, there has been limited exploration of factors that may mitigate or exacerbate the relationship between sensory, self-regulation, and behavioral challenges, especially in diverse populations from various diagnostic groups and broad ages. The researchers in this symposium have used innovative approaches to further the field’s knowledge of the relationship between these constructs and potential mitigating factors in children 6 months to 6 years old across various populations. The first paper investigates autism risk indicators (sensory responsiveness & social communication) in infants, 6-16 months, as a predictor of emotional reactivity at 3-4 years old and the mediating effects of sensory responsiveness at 3-4 years old on the predictive relationship. The second paper examines the associations between sensory responsiveness in the parent and child with internalizing and externalizing behaviors in a community sample of toddlers 23-28 months old. The third paper explores whether the relationship between sensory responsiveness and executive function changes when using an observational or parent-report measure of sensory responsiveness in children 36-72 months with autism. The fourth paper reports the relationship between modality-specific sensory responsiveness and anxiety symptoms in children with Fragile X syndrome, autism, and typical development. The discussant will highlight key findings, methodological innovations, and implications for future research.
Chair: Julia Lisle, University of Southern California,
Discussant: Grace Baranek, University of Southern California
First Presentation: Early autism risk indicators in infancy predict later emotional reactivity in preschoolers
Julia Lisle, University of Southern California (USC), Megan Kim, USC; Sapir Soker, USC; Allison Q. Phillips, USC; John Sideris, USC; Grace T. Baranek, USC
Second Presentation: Parent and Child Sensory Reactivity Independently Predict Behavior Problems in Toddlerhood
Emily Campi, Chapman University, Laura Glynn, Chapman University
Third Presentation: The Influence of Sensory Processing on Executive Function in Young Autistic Children
Jamie Courtland, Duke University,
Fourth Presentation: Detangling the Relationship between Sensory Responsivity and Anxiety Symptoms in Preschoolers with Autism and Fragile X Syndrome: Cross-Syndrome Similarities and Differences
Kimaya Sarmukadam, University of South Carolina, Moji Norozi, University of South Carolina; Abigail Hogan, University of South Carolina