Specifics of sensory processing in individuals with autism spectrum disorder

The relation between sensory processing problems and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been known since the first descriptions of autism. Sensory processing is a neurobiological process of sensory stimuli organisation from the body and from the environment, usually occurring spontaneously in the healthy population as the multisensory information is received and integrated without any effort. Besides the main features of ASD, social communication deficits and restrictive/stereotyped behaviours, the researchers have indicated the difference in responding to the sensory experiences between the children and adolescents with ASD and healthy controls. DSM-5 classification introduced the sensory processing disorders in the diagnostic criteria of ASD. The following review presents different models of sensory processing, (which may have various forms) ally divided into three categories/models: sensory hyper-sensitivity, sensory hypo-sensitivity, sensory seeking-mixed type. Furthermore, the relationship between the main characteristics of ASD, repetitive/stereotyped behaviours, social communication impairments and specific sensory processing in ASD is analysed. The sudden reactions and emotionally excessive, seemingly without the cause for the environment can be understood as different sensory experience and considered as the basis of such a behaviour.