A comparison of the sensory needs of autistic adults with and without intellectual disabilities: A short report
Bradshaw, J., Pringle, J., Milton, D., & Beadle-Brown, J. (2023). A comparison of the sensory needs of autistic adults with and without intellectual disabilities: A short report. Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability, 49(1), 115-119. https://doi.org/10.3109/13668250.2023.2231696
This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:
Authors
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Autistic people commonly report differing sensory experiences. This research aimed to find out about sensory issues and the sensory environments of autistic adults who did and did not have intellectual disabilities. METHOD: Online questionnaires were designed to identify sensory needs. The survey was completed by 138 autistic adults who self-reported and 58 informants reporting about autistic adults who had intellectual disabilities. RESULTS: Autistic adults self-reported high numbers of sensory needs compared with informant reports of the needs of autistic adults who had intellectual disabilities. INTERPRETATION: It is possible that informants under-reported issues for autistic adults with intellectual disabilities. Some sensory needs are harder to observe and people with intellectual disabilities may find it difficult to communicate such needs. CONCLUSION: The authors propose that better methods of supporting communication of "harder to observe" sensory needs should be developed. Further research is needed.
Bibliography cited by this reference
Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.
Bibliography inclusion overview
These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:31.
-
Damian Milton *Autistic author. Learn more… (2012). On the ontological status of autism: the ‘double empathy problem’ . Disability & Society, 27(6), 883-887. Informa UK Limited.
-
Autism Education Trust (AET). (2022). Sensory Assessment Checklist. Autism-Education-Trust-Sensory-Assessment-Checklist.pdf (Birmingham.gov.uk) April 1 2022.Type: OtherCrossref
-
M. F. Werkman , J. A. Landsman , A. S. Fokkens , Y. M. Dijkxhoorn , I. A. van Berckelaer-Onnes , Sander Begeer et al. (2023). The Impact of the Presence of Intellectual Disabilities on Sensory Processing and Behavioral Outcomes Among Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: a Systematic Review . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 10(3), 422-440. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.Crossref OpenAlex OpenCitations
-
Amy Pearson *Autistic author. Learn more… , Kieran Rose *Autistic author. Learn more… (2021). A Conceptual Analysis of Autistic Masking: Understanding the Narrative of Stigma and the Illusion of Choice . Autism in Adulthood, 3(1), 52-60. SAGE Publications.