Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: problem behaviors and sensory processing

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the sensory-processing and behavior profiles of a clinic-referred sample of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and examines the relationship between sensory processing and behavior. METHODS: Outcomes on the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) for 44 children, ages 5 to 10 years, were assessed and compared using retrospective data analysis. RESULTS: A high proportion of the children demonstrated deficits in sensory processing and problem behaviors as measured by the SSP and the CBCL. Moreover, the correlation between the SSP and CBCL total scores (r = -.72) was significant. CONCLUSION: Results provide evidence that children with FASD demonstrate problem behaviors and sensory-processing impairments as reported by parents and that sensory-processing deficits co-occur with problem behaviors at a high rate in this population. This finding suggests that deficits in sensory processing may affect the ability of children with FASD to respond adaptively to their environments.