# A Descriptive Study on the Association Between the Sensory Profile and the Autistic Quotient in Italian 3–12-Year-Old Preschoolers and Schoolers with Autism

## TL;DR

This study examines how sensory reactivity relates to autism traits in Italian children aged 3–12, finding that higher autism traits correlate with greater sensory sensitivity.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the stability of sensory reactivity across age groups in autistic children.

## Key findings

- Children with higher autistic-like trait severity showed greater sensory reactivity across all dimensions.
- School-aged children reported higher movement sensitivity during rough play or balance-related activities.
- Sensory reactivity features appear stable over time, with no significant differences between age groups.

## Abstract

Sensory reactivity has recently been introduced as a diagnostic criterion for autism, and growing attention is being paid to considering children’s behavioural responses to sensory stimuli. This study explored sensory reactivity in a sample of preschool- and school-aged autistic children. Parents of 68 participants [21 preschoolers (3–5 years) and 47 school-aged children (6–11 years)] completed an e-survey (Ethical Committee: 2024-412). Two research questions were addressed to explore: a. whether sensory reactivity dimensions differ according to autistic-like trait severity (medium vs. high) and b. whether sensory reactivity differs between preschool- and school-aged children. Controlling for age and sex, the results showed that children with higher autistic-like trait severity exhibited greater sensory reactivity across all dimensions. The interaction also supported higher sensory reactivity in each dimension for children with higher severity levels. In addition, no significant difference and interaction emerged between age group and sensory reactivity, supporting the potential stability of these features over time. However, group comparisons indicated that school-aged children showed higher parental-reported movement sensitivity, particularly during rough play or balance-related activities. These findings highlight the importance of considering sensory reactivity in autism diagnosis and in designing supportive and tailored intervention environments.