Ermer et al. (1998) found that children with ASD had high incidence of behaviors in Factor 1 (sensory seeking) and low incidence of behaviors in Factors 4 (oral sensory sensitivity) and 5 (inattention/distractibility).

Lawrence University

Ermer et al. (1998) identified nine factors from the Sensory Profile that best discriminate among children with ADHD, children with ASD, and children without disabilities:
- **Factor 1:** Sensory Seeking
- **Factor 2:** Emotional Reactive
- **Factor 3:** Low Endurance/Tone
- **Factor 4:** Oral Sensory Sensitivity
- **Factor 5:** Inattention/Distractibility
- **Factor 6:** Poor Registration
- **Factor 7:** Sensory Sensitivity
- **Factor 8:** Sedentary
- **Factor 9:** Fine Motor/Perceptual

9 factors that best discriminate among children with ADHD, children with ASD, and children without disabilities

Ermer, J., Dunn, W., (1998). The Sensory Profile: A Discriminant Analysis of Children With and Without Disabilities. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 52(4), 283-290.  

Using the Sensory Profile to examine the differences among children with and without dissabilities reference 

Ermer et al. (1998) found that children with ADHD had high incidence of behaviors in Factors 1 (sensory seeking) and 5 (inattention/distractibility). The researchers found that children with ADHD had low incidence of behaviors in Factors 4 (oral sensory sensitivity) and 9 (fine motor/perceptual). 

Discriminant factors using the Sensory Profile for children with ADHD

Sensitivity to particular tastes, textures, and temperatures of food. Factor 4 describes the clinical signs associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. 

Factor 4 (discriminating among children with ADHD, ASD, and children without disabilities)

Describes inattention and distractibility. These characteristics are represented by ADHD. 

Factor 5 (discriminating among ASD, ADHD, and no disabilities)

Ermer et al. (1998) found that children without disabilities had high incidence of behaviors in Factors 4 (oral sensory sensitivity), 5 (inattention/distractibility), and 9 (fine motor/perceptual) and low incidence of behaviors in Factor 1 (sensory seeking).

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