Auditory Brainstem Response in Autistic Children: Implications for Sensory Processing

Purpose: Autistic individuals frequently experience sensory processing difficulties. Such difficulties can significantly impact important functions and quality of life. We are only beginning to understand the neural mechanisms of atypical sensory processing. However, one established way to measure aspects of auditory function is the auditory brainstem response (ABR). While ABR has been primarily hypothesized thus far as a means of early detection/diagnosis in autism, it has the potential to aid in examining sensory processing in this population.

Method: Thus, we investigated standard ABR waveform characteristics in age-matched groups of autistic and typically developing children during various stimulus and intensity conditions. We also examined within ear waveform cross correlations and inter-aural cross correlations (IACC) to assess replicability and synchrony of participants' ABRs, which was a novel approach to ABR analysis in this population.

Results: We observed longer peak latencies (esp. wave III and V) and interpeak latencies in the autism and typically developing groups in different conditions. There were no statistically significant results in cross correlation or IACC.

Conclusions: These results suggest that brainstem auditory function may differ slightly, but is mostly similar, between autistic and typically developing children. We discuss these findings in terms of their implications for sensory processing and future utility.