Julia, Y Jeong
| Julia, Y Jeong |
Julia Y Jeong, Patricia Corby, Michelle Shuster, Katherine France
Patricia Corby, Michelle Shuster
Center for Clinical and Translational Research, University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine
Introduction
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are defined clinically by impairment in communication, social interaction, and behavioral flexibility. Particularly, children with ASD experience difficulty in modulating sensory input leading to aversions to specific tastes, smells, and visual stimuli. As sensitivity to tactile and taste stimuli may lead to obstacles in oral hygiene, attention to these factors is needed to facilitate adequate oral home care. This paper’s objective was to compile published research on the effects of sensory hypersensitivity on oral hygiene in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Methods
Studies assessing sensation in ASD were identified through the Pubmed and PMC databases. Keywords to identify ASD included “Autism Spectrum Disorder” and “Autism”. Keywords for sensory were “Smell”, “Taste”, “Sensory Processing”, “Tactile”, and “Oral Hygiene”. Studies published from 2000 to 2022 were included.
Results
There is limited consensus regarding the pattern of these sensory deficits in ASD. Yet, evidence shows that children with ASD were more likely to dislike the taste of toothpaste or tactile sensation of toothbrushing, as compared to children with no or other disabilities. However, there is contradicting evidence on which specific tastants, flavors or odors cause aversions. Present evidence may not be generalizable due to patients’ heterogeneity in sensory development and perception differences between genders as demonstrated by a few studies.
Conclusion
Given the largely unknown etiology of sensory behavioral differences for individuals with autism, better understanding of gustatory, olfactory, visual and tactile factors are needed to further clarify the role of sensory stimuli impacting oral care in children with ASD.