Sensory Processing Difficulties and Academic Performance in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62843/jrsr/2026.5a183Keywords:
ASD, Sensory Processing, Academic Performance, Hypersensitivity, Hyposensitivity, Sensory IntegrationAbstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between sensory processing difficulties and academic performance among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Pakistan. Sensory processing difficulties are common among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and include hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity to environmental stimuli. Such difficulties can affect the ability of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder to perform effectively in the classroom and can impact academic performance. Quantitative correlational research design was adopted for the purpose of the study. The Short Sensory Profile Scale and the Academic Performance Scale were administered to the total population of 202 participants with Autism Spectrum Disorder to assess the sensory processing difficulties and academic performance of the participants, respectively. Reliability analysis of the study revealed good internal consistency reliability of the Short Sensory Profile Scale and the Academic Performance Scale with Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient .74 and .75, respectively. However, the findings of linear regression analysis of the study revealed a non-significant association between sensory processing difficulties and academic performance among the participants (R² = .004, p = .372). This study contributes to the scarcity of research on the topic and provides a platform to consider more variables like cognitive abilities of the students and teaching strategies and environmental factors to improve the academic performance of the students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
References
Ashburner, J., Ziviani, J., & Rodger, S. (2008). Sensory processing and classroom emotional, behavioral, and educational outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(5), 564–573. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.62.5.564
Ayres, A. J. (2020). Sensory integration and the child. Western Psychological Services.
Bullen, J. C., Lerro, L. S., Hesse, T., Zajic, M. C., McIntyre, N., & Mundy, P. (2025). Sensory processing modalities and their associations with academic achievement in autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-07185-0
Bullen, J. C., Lerro, L. S., Hesse, T., Zajic, M. C., McIntyre, N., & Mundy, P. (2025). Sensory Processing Modalities and Their Associations With Academic Achievement in Autism and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-07185-0
Butera, C., Ring, P., Sideris, J., Jayashankar, A., Kilroy, E., Harrison, L., Cermak, S., & Aziz-Zadeh, L. (2020). Impact of sensory processing on school performance outcomes in high functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Mind, Brain, and Education, 14(3), 243–254. https://doi.org/10.1111/mbe.12242
Hayat-e-Nau, S. K. (2019). Analysis of sensory processing abilities among autism spectrum disorders children. Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation, 8(2). https://ojs.zu.edu.pk/pjr/article/view/705?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Javaid, H. I., Kanwal, S., Ahmed, M., Akbar, S., Rashid, A., Yaqoob, S., & Faridi, T. A. (2023). Assessment of visual perception in children with autism spectrum disorder. Lahore Garrison University Journal of Life Sciences, 7(2),148-155. https://doi.org/10.54692/lgujls.2023.0702256
Javaid, H. I., Kanwal, S., Ahmed, M., Rashid, A., Akbar, S., Yaqoob, S., & Faridi, T. A. (2023). Assessment of visual perception in children with autism spectrum disorder. Lahore Garrison University Journal of Life Sciences, 7(02), 148–155. https://doi.org/10.54692/lgujls.2023.0702256
Jones, C. R. G., Simonoff, E., Baird, G., Pickles, A., Marsden, A. J. S., Tregay, J., Happé, F., & Charman, T. (2020). The association between theory of mind, executive function, and the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Autism Research, 13(2), 226–238. https://doi.org/10.1002/aur.2211
Jones, E. K. (2021). Distraction, Distress and Diversity: The impact of sensory processing differences on learning and school life for autistic pupils (Doctoral dissertation, Durham University).
Khawer, S., Ismail, M., & Zehra, S. (2025). Linking sensory processing challenges to autism-related factors: observational evidence from Pakistan. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 32(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-025-00533-x
Khawer, S., Ismail, M., & Zehra, S. (2025). Linking sensory processing challenges to autism-related factors: Observational evidence from Pakistan. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 32, Article 37. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-025-00533-x
Liu, L. (2025). Analysing the impact of sensory processing differences on color and texture preferences in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Humanities & Social Sciences Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05753-4
Liu, T. (2013). Sensory processing and motor skill performance in elementary school children with autism spectrum disorder. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 116(1), 197–209. https://doi.org/10.2466/10.25.PMS.116.1.197-209
Mallory, C., & Keehn, B. (2021). Implications of sensory processing and attentional differences associated with autism in academic settings: An integrative review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 695825. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.695825
Maqsood, I., Afzal, E., Aftab, K., & Ahmad, M. (2025). Comparison of abnormal sensory symptoms in children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 41(4), 1181–1186. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.4.11486
Rodger, S. (2020). Impact of sensory processing on school performance outcomes in high-functioning individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
Tahir, N., Khalid, A., & Nauman, S. (2024). Measure the level of sensory processing problem in children with and with out autism in classroom environment. Pakistan Journal of Rehabilitation, 13(1), 109. https://doi.org/10.36283/pjr.zu.13.1/015
Tomchek, S. D., & Dunn, W. (2007). Sensory processing in children with and without autism: A comparative study using the Short Sensory Profile. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 190–200. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.61.2.190
Ziauddin, N. W., Saghir, U., Ali, S. A., & Mursaleen, M. H. (2022). Optimizing sensory loads using a sensory processing skills therapy among autistic spectrum disorder. Allied Medical Research Journal, 1(1). https://ojs.amrj.net/index.php/1/article/view/6
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
