Sensory Dis-Integration: Theoretical Foundations for and Practical Barriers to Interdisciplinary Collaboration Among Neuroscientists and Clinical Practitioners Focused on Sensory Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background:  

Heightened interest in sensory function in persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents an unprecedented opportunity for impactful, interdisciplinary work between neuroscientists and clinical practitioners for whom sensory processing is a focus. In spite of this promise, and a number of overlapping perspectives on sensory function in persons with ASD, neuroscientists and clinical practitioners are faced with significant practical barriers to transcending disciplinary silos. Barriers to interdisciplinary collaboration include divergent goals, values, and approaches that shape each discipline, as well as different lexical conventions. In this overview to the panel, some of the most salient differences between fields will be described, alongside shared perspectives that may serve as a common foundation upon which interdisciplinary work can build. These shared perspectives include 1) the assumption that differences in behavioral reactivity reflect differences in neural response to sensory stimuli, 2) the assumption that “higher-order” deficits in ASD, such as social-communication deficits, arise at least in part from differences in basic sensory processing, and 3) the assumption that sensory function may be malleable with treatment or environmental manipulation. These foundational concepts will be presented as testable hypotheses that form a potential framework for the conceptualization of sensory function in individuals with ASD (see Figure 1), which researchers from a range of disciplines may work collaboratively to test. The divergent goals, values, and approaches of each discipline will be described in order to facilitate improved cross-disciplinary dialogue.  Although challenging, engaging in interdisciplinary work will capitalize on the complementary strengths of each field to unveil the links between neural and behavioral manifestations of sensory differences in persons with ASD. Ultimately, the experimental tractability and early developmental onset of sensory function will be powerful advantages in determining the role of sensory processing in the more developmentally complex socio-communicative and repetitive behaviors that characterize ASD. A better understanding of this putative role for foundational sensory function is critical to facilitate early identification and improved intervention for persons with ASD.

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