Peer-reviewed article
Sensory processing differences and behavioural problems in children with autism: a retrospective study using statistical modelling and multi-output machine learning.
Yan C, Xu J, Duan K, Xiang Y, Li H ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how sensory processing differences relate to behavioural problems in 127 children with autism aged 1-7 years. Using parent questionnaires and machine learning analysis, researchers found that certain sensory seeking behaviours, particularly vestibular/proprioceptive seeking, were associated with increased tantrums, while visual seeking was linked to better adaptation to routine changes. The findings suggest that understanding a child's sensory profile could help identify those at higher behavioural risk and support personalised intervention planning.
Key points
- Vestibular/proprioceptive seeking was the strongest predictor of frequent tantrums (odds ratio 3.83)
- Visual seeking was associated with better adaptation to routine changes
- Auditory sensitivity and multiple seeking behaviours were identified as major contributors to behavioural problems
- A 'multi-sensory seeking' subtype of children showed higher rates of tantrums
- Sensory-based profiling could guide personalised intervention planning for children with autism
Limitations
This is a retrospective study of children from a single tertiary hospital in an unspecified country, relying on parent-reported questionnaires without independent clinical assessment. The study does not evaluate the effectiveness of any intervention, so findings are associational rather than causal.
Abstract
Background Sensory processing differences (SPDs) are common in children with autism, yet their specific contributions to behavioural problems remain insufficiently explored. To examine how SPDs relate to behavioural problems in children with autism and to identify key sensory predictors and sensory-based subtypes associated with behavioural risk. Methods The retrospective study included 127 children with autism (1-7 years) who received rehabilitation training at a tertiary children's hospital between 2020 and 2024. Fifteen SPD features across visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory/olfactory and vestibular/proprioceptive modalities (covering sensitivity, hyporesponsivity and seeking behaviours) and six behavioural problems were coded as binary variables based on parent-reported questionnaires. Associations were analysed using Phi correlations and logistic regression. A multi-output random forest with Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) evaluated the joint predictive value of SPDs. Hierarchical clustering using Jaccard distance was used to identify sensory subtypes and compare behavioural profiles. Results Vestibular/proprioceptive seeking was positively associated with frequent tantrums (φ=0.30) and emerged as an independent predictor (OR=3.83, 95% CI 1.65 to 8.90). Visual seeking was negatively associated with difficulty adapting to routine changes (φ=-0.23; OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.78). The multi-output random forest showed moderate performance. SHAP analysis highlighted auditory sensitivity and multiple seeking behaviours as major contributors. Clustering revealed a 'multi-sensory seeking' subtype with higher rates of tantrums. Conclusions SPDs are meaningfully linked to behavioural problems in autism. Vestibular/proprioceptive seeking and auditory sensitivity are key behavioural risk indicators, while visual seeking may support adaptability. Sensory-based profiling has the potential to identify children at elevated behavioural risk and guide personalised intervention planning.