Sensory processing and adaptive behavior in Phelan-McDermid syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation or deletion of the SHANK3 gene (chromosome 22q13.3), characterized by different sensory processing anomalies. The objective of this study is to expand and provide a detailed definition of the sensory profile of patients with PMS. The secondary objective was to examine the relationship between sensory patterns and adaptive behavior. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 51 Spanish patients with a confirmed genetic diagnosis of PMS. All the participants’ parents completed the Short Sensory Profile-Spanish (SSP-S) and the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System II (ABAS-II). Correlational, multiple regression and hierarchical cluster analyses were performed. An atypical sensory profile was identified in almost 75% of PMS patients. Definite differences were found among scores; nonetheless, sub-threshold values were observed in tactile sensitivity, underresponsive/seeks sensation, auditory filtering, and low energy/weak sensory categories. Conceptual, social, and practical domains, as well as the General Adaptive Composite (GAC) of the ABAS-II showed extremely low scores (i.e., <70). Significant correlations were found (p<0.005) between SSP-S scores and the conceptual, social, practical, and GAC index of the ABAS-II, whereby higher SSP-S scores were associated with better skills and higher adaptive performance. The cluster analysis indicated that the group with the largest mutation size (7.23 Mb) showed the greatest sensory processing difficulties and very low adaptive skills. Conclusions: Patients with PMS show an atypical sensory profile, which correlates with limitations in general adaptive behaviors. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00431-022-04564-y.