Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40723151›Full record

ArticleChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Feeling the World Differently: Sensory and Emotional Profiles in Preschool Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Federica Gigliotti, Maria Eugenia Martelli, Federica Giovannone, Carla Sogos

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Federica GigliottiDepartment of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9240-3418
Maria Eugenia MartelliDepartment of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0009-0003-7381-9252
Federica GiovannoneDepartment of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Carla SogosDepartment of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-0589-7614

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

objectivesAtypical sensory processing is increasingly recognized as a transdiagnostic dimension of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), with critical implications for emotional and behavioral regulation. This study aimed to identify distinct sensory profiles in preschool children with NDDs and to examine their associations with emotional-behavioral and cognitive/developmental functioning.

methodsA total of 263 children (aged 21-71 months) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), language disorder (LD), or other NDDs (ONDD) were recruited. Sensory processing was assessed using the SPM-P, emotional-behavioral functioning was assessed via the CBCL 1½-5, and cognitive/developmental levels were assessed through standardized instruments. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify sensory subtypes. Group comparisons and multinomial logistic regression were used to examine profile characteristics and predictors of profile membership.

resultsThree sensory profiles emerged: (1) Multisystemic Sensory Dysfunction (20.1%), characterized by pervasive sensory and emotional difficulties, primarily observed in ASD; (2) Typical Sensory Processing (44.9%), showing normative sensory and emotional functioning, predominantly LD; and (3) Mixed Subclinical Sensory Processing (35%), with subclinical-range scores across multiple sensory and emotional domains, spanning all diagnoses. Higher cognitive functioning and fewer internalizing symptoms significantly predicted membership in the typical profile. A gradient of symptom severity was observed across profiles, with the Multisystemic group showing the most pronounced emotional-behavioral impairments.

conclusionsDistinct sensory-emotional phenotypes were identified across diagnostic categories, supporting a dimensional model of neurodevelopment. Sensory profiles were strongly associated with emotional functioning, independently of diagnostic status. Early sensory assessment may therefore offer clinically meaningful insights into emotional vulnerability and inform targeted interventions in preschool populations with NDDs.

Indexed as

autism spectrum disorderemotional–behavioral functioninglatent profile analysisneurodevelopmental disorderspreschool childrensensory processingtransdiagnostic approach

Identifiers

PMID40723151
PMCPMC12293204

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.