Shared Challenges and Unique Strategies: A Comparison of Sensory Organization Mechanisms and Strategies for Postural Control in Neurodivergent Children

Neurodivergent children, particularly autistic and those with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), often have challenges with postural control. Here, we compared aspects of postural control using the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) in 75 children (male = 49 and female = 26) aged 5–16 years: 25 autistic ( M = 8.7, SD = 2.5), 25 with DCD ( M = 8.3, SD = 3.1), and 25 neurotypical (NT) controls ( M = 9.4, SD = 2.9). The SOT yields anterior/posterior sway (equilibrium scores), strategies used to maintain sway (strategy score [SS]), and sensory organization (ratios). A general linear model analysis revealed significant group differences. Autistic children and those with DCD demonstrated significantly lower equilibrium across all SOT conditions compared with NT peers ( p < .05). For SSs, children with DCD did not differ from NT peers in the eyes-open, quiet-stance condition but showed significantly lower SSs in all other SOT conditions ( p < .05). Autistic children exhibited significantly lower SSs across all SOT conditions ( p < .05). Age as a covariate was a significant predictor of equilibrium scores ( p < .05) but not SSs. Sensory organization analysis indicated that autistic children had significantly lower visual and vestibular ratios compared with NT peers ( p < .05), whereas children with DCD displayed ratios comparable to NT peers. In conclusion, both neurodivergent groups showed reduced anterior–posterior sway maintenance capabilities but differed in the strategies and sensory mechanisms used to maintain posture.