Study of the clinical signs of sensory perception in children and adolescents on the autism spectrum ; Étude des signes cliniques de la perception sensorielle des enfants et adolescents sur le spectre de l'autisme

This thesis aimed to explore the differences in sensory reactivity between autistic individuals and those with typical development, focusing on both behavioral and physiological responses. This question was addressed through an empirical approach with the goal of improving the characterization of clinical markers of sensory perception in autism. The first study examined this characterization based on testimonies from parents of autistic children and adults. The thematic analysis of the data highlighted several aspects, such as stimming, sensory seeking, sensory overload, and regulation strategies. The second study measured electrodermal responses during gradual exposure to both unisensory and multisensory stimuli in children aged between 6 and 17 years. The findings revealed a significant difference in autonomic nervous system responses in autistic children, characterized by lower electrodermal activity, both at rest and during sensory processing, compared to typically developing children. These autonomic regulation differences suggest atypical modulation of sensory processing in autism, although the exact causes of this difference remain debated. However, no differences were found between unisensory and multisensory responses, nor between younger and older children. It is possible that the stimuli used in this study were not sufficiently discriminating to elicit a distinct emotional response. Clinically, introducing electrodermal reactivity as a physiological indicator, alongside qualitative assessments, could help characterize sensory profiles and track the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Theoretically, our findings highlight the need to revise current models of sensory perception, integrating both environmental and cognitive factors, as well as neurobiological models that take into account the role of autonomic response. ; Cette thèse a eu pour objectif d’explorer les différences de réactivité sensorielle entre les personnes autistes et celles au développement typique, à travers une analyse des ...