Sensory Over Responsivity and Risk Factors

A large study was recently conducted with 1159 twins on sensory over-responsivity.  Data was collected via phone interviews to parents when the twins were 2 years old regarding emotional behaviors and sensory experiences (auditory and tactile).  Medical records were reviewed again when the children were 7 years old.  The results from the study indicated the following:

  • parental report of negative affect and fear was related to auditory and tactile sensory over-responsivity
  • prental complications predicted tactile over-responsivity but not auditory
  • auditory symptoms were more genetically influenced than tactile symptoms
  • auditory and tactile symptoms had a similar genetic relationship with fear
  • auditory symptoms shared more genetic covariance with negative affect than tactile symptoms

The researchers concluded that tactile and auditory symptoms may have non overlapping causes and risk factors.  

Reference: Keuler, Megan M. BS*; Schmidt, Nicole L. MS*; Van Hulle, Carol A. PhD*; Lemery-Chalfant, Kathryn PhD†; Goldsmith, H. Hill PhD Sensory Overresponsivity: Prenatal Risk Factors and Temperamental Contributions. Journal of Developmental; Behavioral Pediatrics: September 2011 – Volume 32 – Issue 7 – pp 533-541 doi: 10.1097/DBP.0b013e3182245c05 

The Scale of Sensory Strategies

The Scale of Sensory Strategies (S.O.S.S.) Tool Kit™ provides an evidence-based plan of care with sensory strategies that will optimize a child’s behavior in the school, home and community.

More information at https://www.yourtherapysource.com/soss.html


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