A possible role of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile in screening for autism: a proof-of-concept study in the specific sample of prematurely born children with birth weights <1,500 g

Figures & data

Figure 1 Proposed classification tree.

Notes: The first two branches are defined by the total score of the CSBS-DP-ITC (ITC sum). The screening outcome is positive (denoted by 1) for an ITC sum <45.5 (first classification rule). The branch for ITC sum ≥45.5 is further split into two sub-branches based on the z-score of the Sensation Seeking scale of the ITSP (SP senseek SD) relative to the value of 1.54. In this branch of the classification tree SP senseek SDs ≥1.54 result in a positive screening outcome (denoted by 1) and SP senseek SDs <1.54 in a negative screening outcome (denoted by 0).
Abbreviations: CSBS-DP-ITC, Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist; ITSP, Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile; SD, standard deviation.

Table 1 Characteristics of the proposed classification process (screening tool) based on the CSBS-DP-ITC overall score and the Sensation Seeking subscale of ITSP

FN	FP	TN	TP	Accuracy	Sensitivity	Specificity
0	18	100	13	0.863	1	0.847
PPV	NPV	FPR	FNR	F-measure	AUROC	Kappa
0.419	1	0.153	0	0.591	0.710	0.524

Notes: Accuracy, the ratio of the number of correct screening results to the total number of children (n): (TN + TP)/n; Sensitivity, the ratio of the number of correct positive screening results to the total number of children with ASD in the sample (yesASD): TP/yesASD; Specificity, the ratio of the number of correct negative screening results to the total number of children without ASD in the sample (noASD): TN/noASD; F-measure, 2× (PPV × Sensitivity)/(PPV + Sensitivity); AUROC, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the classifier;³² Kappa, the Cohen’s kappa coefficient.³³

Abbreviations: FN, false-negative count; FP, false-positive count; TN, true-negative count; TP, true-positive count; PPV, positive predictive value; NPV, negative predictive value; FPR, false-positive rate; FNR, false-negative rate.

Table 2 Sensation seeking subscale

Item number	Sensation seeking item description
6	My child enjoys making sound with his/her mouth
12	My child finds ways to make noise with toys
14	My child enjoys looking at moving or spinning objects (eg, ceiling fans, toys with wheels, and floor fans)
15	My child enjoys looking at shiny objects
19	My child enjoys looking at own reflection in the mirror
20	My child prefers fast-paced, brightly colored TV shows
31	My child enjoys playing with food
32	My child seeks opportunities to feel vibrations (eg, stereo speakers, washer, and dryer)
34	My child enjoys splashing during bath time
35	My child uses hands to explore food and other textures
37	My child enjoys physical activity (eg, bouncing, being held up high in the air)
38	My child enjoys rhythmical activities (eg, swinging, rocking, and car rides)
42	My child licks/chews on nonfood objects
43	My child mouths objects

Notes: Items 6 and 12 belong to the Auditory Processing Section. Items 14, 15, 19, and 20 belong to the Visual Processing Section. Items 31, 32, 34, and 35 belong to the Tactile Processing Section. Items 37 and 38 belong to the Vestibular Processing Section. Items 42 and 43 belong to the Oral Sensory Processing Section. Each item was scored by the child’s caregiver on 5-point scale from almost always (1) to almost never (5).

Figure 2 Visualization of the effect of the suggested screening tool on the data sample.

Notes: Vertical green line represents screening rule (1), horizontal green line represents screening rule (2). Red dots are children with ASD, and blue circles are children without ASD. The “ITC sum” axis represents the total CSBS-DP-ITC score, the “SP senseek SD” axis represents the z-score of the Sensation Seeking scale of the ITSP.
Abbreviations: ASD, autism spectrum disorder; CSBS-DP-ITC, Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile Infant-Toddler Checklist; ITSP, Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile.

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