Relationship Between Social Communication, Sensory Processing, and Daily Living Skills in Young Children with Autism

BACKGROUND: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulties in social communication and sensory processing. This study examined how these challenges affect daily living activities (ADLs) in young children with ASD. METHODS: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we assessed 60 Brazilian children aged 3-5 years with ASD. The primary outcome, ADL performance, was assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory - Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT/ADL). The Autism Classification System of Functioning: Social Communication (ACSF:SC) and the Sensory Profile, Second Edition (SP2), were employed to examine the influence of social communication abilities and sensory processing on ADL performance. We used correlation and regression analyses to identify interrelationships. FINDINGS: < .001), sensory processing did not. CONCLUSION: The importance of social communication for daily activities was reaffirmed. While functional performance declined with age, sensory processing issues did not affect daily function in young children with ASD. Cultural expectations may have influenced parents' ratings of ADLs, especially for girls. Longitudinal cross-cultural studies are needed to clarify gender and sensory processing roles in daily functioning of children with ASD.