Recent interest also has been shown in understanding sensory processing in children with FASD and the impact difficulties in this domain might have on behavioral problems in this population. Sensory processing is defined as the ability to integrate neurological processing of sensory input and appropriate behavioral responses and deficits are thought to negatively impact everyday functions, including behavior (Cosbey, Johnston, & Dunn, 2010). Such deficits have been documented in alcohol-affected children and are associated with other neurobehavioral impairments (Franklin, Deitz, Jirikowic, & Astley, 2008) and decreased adaptive and academic function (Carr, Agnihotri, & Keightley, 2010; Jirikowic, Carmichael Olson, et al., 2008). One study examined the occurrence of sensory processing difficulties in children with partial FAS, ARND, and alcohol-exposed children that did not meet any formal alcohol-related diagnosis (Carr, et al., 2010). Though all subjects demonstrated sensory processing deficits, results suggested differences in severity of impairment among groups. In addition, the relationships between sensory processing difficulties and adaptive function and IQ differed depending on alcohol-related diagnosis, highlighting the importance of nontraditional assessment tools in order to fully understand the full range of deficits associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.
