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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Sensory processing and neurodevelopmental disorder traits in 4- to 5-year-old Dutch children adjusted for sex, neurodevelopment in infancy and IQ

  • Selena J. Rosinda1,2,3
  • Pieter J. Hoekstra2,4,3
  • Mijna Hadders-Algra1,3,5
  • Kirsten R. Heineman1,6,5
  • Annelies de Bildt2,4,3
6 affiliations
  1. 1University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatrics, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, Division of Developmental Neurology, Groningen, the Netherlands
  2. 2Accare Child Study Center, Groningen, the Netherlands
  3. 3The Research School of Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
  4. 4University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Psychiatry, Groningen, the Netherlands
  5. 5Health in Context Research Institute, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
  6. 6University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Abstract

Purpose: Sensory processing is an important aspect of children’s development and is closely linked to other developmental domains. We investigated sensory processing and its relation to the severity of neurodevelopmental disorder traits (i.e., traits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder) in a sample of 4-5-year-old children from the general population, with an oversampling of children with atypical infant neurodevelopment.

Methods: The sample contained 557 Dutch 4-5-year-old children. Sensory processing was assessed with the Sensory Profile. Neurodevelopmental disorder traits were measured with parent- and teacher-reported questionnaires (Social Responsiveness Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Conners Parent Rating Scale, Conners Teacher Rating Scale) and an assessment of motor abilities (Movement Assessment Battery for Children). Multivariate polynomial regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation between sensory processing and the severity of neurodevelopmental disorder traits. The child’s sex, neurodevelopment in infancy (as assessed with the Standardized Infant Neuro Developmental Assessment and Infant Motor Profile) and intelligence level at 4–5 years (as measured with the Wechsler Primary and Preschool Scale of Intelligence) were included as covariates.

Results: In 35–44% of the children sensory processing difficulties (varying per sensory processing quadrant) were present. Missing, seeking, avoiding and/or being sensitive to sensory stimuli was associated with more social responsiveness problems, hyperactive and/or inattentive behaviour and motor difficulties.

Conclusion: Sensory processing difficulties are prevalent in a sample of 4- to 5-year-old children, enriched for the presence of atypical infant neurodevelopment. Additionally, specific types of sensory processing difficulties are related to more severe neurodevelopmental disorder traits.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03110-7.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{rosinda2026sensory,
  title = {{Sensory processing and neurodevelopmental disorder traits in 4- to 5-year-old Dutch children adjusted for sex, neurodevelopment in infancy and IQ}},
  author = {Selena J. Rosinda and Pieter J. Hoekstra and Mijna Hadders-Algra and Kirsten R. Heineman and Annelies de Bildt},
  journal = {European Child \& Adolescent Psychiatry},
  year = {2026},
  month = jul,
  doi = {10.1007/s00787-026-03110-7},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03110-7},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Sensory processing and neurodevelopmental disorder traits in 4- to 5-year-old Dutch children adjusted for sex, neurodevelopment in infancy and IQ
AU  - Selena J. Rosinda
AU  - Pieter J. Hoekstra
AU  - Mijna Hadders-Algra
AU  - Kirsten R. Heineman
AU  - Annelies de Bildt
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/07/06
JO  - European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
DO  - 10.1007/s00787-026-03110-7
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03110-7
AB  - Purpose: Sensory processing is an important aspect of children’s development and is closely linked to other developmental domains. We investigated sensory processing and its relation to the severity of neurodevelopmental disorder traits (i.e., traits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder) in a sample of 4-5-year-old children from the general population, with an oversampling of children with atypical infant neurodevelopment.  Methods: The sample contained 557 Dutch 4-5-year-old children. Sensory processing was assessed with the Sensory Profile. Neurodevelopmental disorder traits were measured with parent- and teacher-reported questionnaires (Social Responsiveness Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Conners Parent Rating Scale, Conners Teacher Rating Scale) and an assessment of motor abilities (Movement Assessment Battery for Children). Multivariate polynomial regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation between sensory processing and the severity of neurodevelopmental disorder traits. The child’s sex, neurodevelopment in infancy (as assessed with the Standardized Infant Neuro Developmental Assessment and Infant Motor Profile) and intelligence level at 4–5 years (as measured with the Wechsler Primary and Preschool Scale of Intelligence) were included as covariates.  Results: In 35–44% of the children sensory processing difficulties (varying per sensory processing quadrant) were present. Missing, seeking, avoiding and/or being sensitive to sensory stimuli was associated with more social responsiveness problems, hyperactive and/or inattentive behaviour and motor difficulties.  Conclusion: Sensory processing difficulties are prevalent in a sample of 4- to 5-year-old children, enriched for the presence of atypical infant neurodevelopment. Additionally, specific types of sensory processing difficulties are related to more severe neurodevelopmental disorder traits.  Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-026-03110-7.
SN  - 1018-8827
SN  - 1435-165X
ER  -