Convergent Validity of Behavioural and Subjective Sensitivity in Relation to Autistic Traits

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 758 - 770
• Main Authors: Schulz, S. E., Stevenson, R. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2022; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Auditory Perception; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - diagnosis; Autistic Disorder - diagnosis; Behavior; Behavioral assessment; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Child and School Psychology; Complications and side effects; Convergent validity; Diagnosis; Hearing; Humans; Information processing; Methods; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Pediatrics; Psychology; Public Health; Questionnaires; Sensation; Sensory Experience; Sensory integration; Sensory processes; Subjective sensitivity; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptoms (Individual Disorders); Thresholds; Validity; Visual Perception; Visual thresholds; Canada; Sensory sensitivity; Sensory reactivity; Sensory processing; Autism spectrum disorder; Autistic traits
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04974-1

Sensory issues are highly prevalent in autism and previous findings support a relationship between questionnaires of sensitivity and autistic symptoms and traits, whereas studies that examine this relationship through behavioural assessments of sensitivity are less consistent. The current study explores these differences and suggests that behavioural thresholds for sensitivity and subjective sensitivity are distinct constructs. One hundred and eighteen adults completed a visual and auditory detection task and questionnaires on sensory processing and autistic traits. Visual thresholds and subjective visual sensitivity were not correlated, but both were related to autistic traits. Auditory thresholds and subjective auditory sensitivity were also unrelated. Overall, sensitivity is highly associated with autistic traits, however, behavioural and questionnaire assessments lack convergent validity and therefore, likely assess distinct constructs.