Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41609989›Full record

ArticleJournal of autism and developmental disorders2026

Sensory Subgroups in Autism: The Role of Cognitive Abilities.

Cory Shulman, Yifat Peretz-Bornstein, Shlomit Kagya, Dorit Ben Shalom

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Article in Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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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

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Cory ShulmanThe School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Autism Center of Hebrew University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel. cory.shulman@mail.huji.ac.il.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9798-0361
Yifat Peretz-BornsteinThe School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Autism Center of Hebrew University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Shlomit KagyaThe School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Autism Center of Hebrew University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Dorit Ben ShalomSchool of Brain Sciences and Cognition, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSensory processing differences are a core feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can substantially affect adaptive functioning. This study aimed to examine how sensory profiles interact with autism characteristics and cognitive abilities. Specifically, it investigated whether distinct sensory subgroups emerge based on cognitive stratification and how these profiles relate to behavioral and adaptive outcomes.

methodsThe study included 823 children diagnosed with ASD, categorized into cognitive ability groups based on IQ scores (< 70 and ≥ 85). Sensory profiles were measured using the Sensory Profile-2 and analyzed using a two-step clustering algorithm to identify sensory subgroups. Behavioral and adaptive functioning were assessed across these subgroups to explore their associations with sensory patterns.

resultsSeven distinct sensory subgroups were identified: two among children with lower cognitive abilities (< 70 IQ), two among children with borderline cognitive abilities (> 70 < 85), and three among those with higher cognitive abilities (≥ 85). A unique subgroup emerged in the higher IQ group, characterized by increased sensory avoidance. Across all groups, atypical sensory profiles were associated with greater behavioral challenges and reduced adaptive functioning. Notably, avoidance behaviors in the higher IQ subgroup correlated with better adaptive outcomes, suggesting a possible compensatory role for sensory regulation strategies.

conclusionThe findings emphasize the importance of incorporating cognitive stratification in sensory subtyping research in ASD. Sensory avoidance, particularly in individuals with higher cognitive abilities, may serve as a beneficial self-regulation strategy. This study advances understanding of sensory-cognitive interplay in ASD, and can inform personalized approaches to support adaptive functioning and mitigate behavioral challenges.

Indexed as

Adaptive functioningAutismCognitive abilitiesSensory profilesSensory subtyping

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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.