Communication skills, sensory integration functions, and auditory brainstem response: findings in a group of Egyptian children with autistic features

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this work was to study the correlation between communication skills, sensory integration dysfunction, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) findings in a group of children with autistic features in order to gain a better understanding of some of the communication deficits commonly encountered in these children. Methods: The study was conducted on 25 Egyptian children with autistic features and 25 age-matched and sex-matched typically developing children. All the children’s age ranged from 4 to 9 years. Each child was subjected to the following: history taking, communication assessment, sensory integration dysfunction questionnaire, psychometric evaluation, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, basic audiological evaluation, and assessment of ABR (20 and 70 c/s). The results obtained from the two groups were then compared. In addition, correlation studies of all the results obtained were carried out. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups under study in terms of communication skills, sensory integration dysfunction, and ABR waves III, III–V, V (20 c/s), I–V, and Vº (70 c/s). There was a significant negative correlation between ABR waves I and III and behavior, intentionality, capacity of symbols, reasoning, and total communication scores. There was a significant negative correlation between ABR waves III and V and forms, behaviors, intentionality, capacity of symbols, imitation, and total communication scores. There was a significant positive correlation between auditory sensory dysfunction scores and ABR wave V and waves III–V. There was a significant negative correlation between sensory integration dysfunction and intelligent quotient and communication skills. There was a significant positive correlation between sensory integration dysfunction scores and the severity of autism. Conclusion and recommendations: Some of the communication difficulties shown by children with autism might be related to sensory integration dysfunction. Auditory defects in autism may involve lower levels of neural transmission. Reducing sensory integration deficits can aid in minimizing some of the features commonly encountered in children with autism. This would also aid in further development of their sociocommunication skills. ABR, as an objective tool, may be used as a prognostic indicator.