Exploring the Link Between Temperament, Sensory Processing, and Characteristics of Autism in Autistic and Non-Autistic Children.

Examining temperamental and sensory processing characteristics in autism may help in understanding variability in the spectrum. The first aim of this study was to investigate the temperamental characteristics, including surgency, negative affectivity, and effortful control, of both non-autistic and autistic children. Second, the association between sensory processing (measured as sensory discomfort with the Short Sensory Profile Scale) and temperament was examined across the groups. Third, the relationship between temperament, sensory processing, and characteristics of autism was examined in autistic children. Participants included 55 non-autistic and 66 autistic preschoolers. The study revealed no differences in negative affectivity and surgency between the two groups after controlling for child age and family income, but autistic children had lower scores for effortful control. Furthermore, higher negative affectivity scores were linked to more sensory discomfort. Finally, lower scores for effortful control and higher sensory discomfort were associated with more autism characteristics in the autistic group. This study revealed temperamental differences between the groups and demonstrated that the joint contribution of temperament and sensory processing helps explain individual differences in autism.