3 These insights have prompted the development of approaches to address the sensory differences that are common among children with autism. 2Īddressing sensory integration and processing differences and disorders, key to improving care for autistic children, involves determining the sensory profile, integration abilities, and modulation skills of an individual in multiple contexts and guiding modifications to environments and tasks to better match the individual’s needs. Targeting increased input to specific sensory systems may activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is thought to regulate sensory reactivity and undergirds sensory-integration therapies. In terms of the mechanism for these differences, the medical community theorizes that increased activation of the sympathetic nervous system and decreased parasympathetic functions may contribute to sensory hyperreactivity for autistic children. Among clinical procedures, improving participation in dental care is especially important for children with autism because poor oral health is more common and receipt of oral care more challenging than for neurotypical peers. For example, individuals may be sensitive to noise, lights, and tactile input common to medical settings and procedures.

Routine medical care most often involves input in all sensory systems, making it challenging for individuals with sensory processing, integration, and modulation differences to tolerate needed medical interventions. 1 Differences in the ability to process and integrate auditory, tactile, olfactory, visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular input affect the participation in daily routines and activities of autistic individuals, including seeking and receiving medical care. One of the core and distinguishing features of autism is differences in sensory processing and modulation.

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