OBJECTIVE. We established test–retest reliability of electrodermal markers used to quantify physiological response to sensation using the Sensory Challenge Protocol in children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

METHOD. Electrodermal activity (EDA) was measured during rest and in response to sensory inputs. Fourteen children with ASD and 18 typically developing children were tested and retested after 2–6 wk on skin conductance response, skin conductance level, nonspecific skin conductance response, and habituation.

RESULTS. Test–retest reliability was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Rest-phase coefficients for both groups were moderate (.65–.73). ICCs during response to sensation ranged from moderate to good for amplitude (.60–.81) and magnitude (.50–.75). In addition, moderate to excellent reliability (.51–.93) was observed for nonspecific response measures.

CONCLUSION. EDA measures are reliable physiological markers that can quantify response to sensation in children with and without ASD.

AOTA Taxonomy:
Pediatrics
Copyright © 2016 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
2016
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