Author(s): KUCZYNSKA, A., JONES, A., FRANCIS, P., KINSELLA, S., Institution: SOUTH EAST TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY, Country: IRELAND, Abstract-ID: 707

INTRODUCTION:
Autistic children often receive a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) diagnosis, marked by atypical sensory responsiveness (Brout & Miller, 2015). This can present in clothing intolerance, yet little research explores the impact of footwear on sensory-related issues in this population (Daly et al., 2022; Kyriacou et al., 2023). This study aimed to examine the relationship between sex, autism support levels, SPD diagnosis, and footwear choices. A secondary aim of this study was to explore parental perception of changes in a childs motor skills and behaviour when wearing shoes.
METHODS:
Data obtained for this study came from a more extensive mixed-methods questionnaire on the experiences of autistic children and their parents in relation to footwear. The questionnaire was administered to autism families with a version for parents of autistic children (4-18 years) and a modified version for autistic adolescents aged 13-18. Only one questionnaire could be answered within the household. Both questionnaires were created using the Qualtrics platform. Participants were sampled from the UK and Ireland between October 2022 and April 2023 and recruited through autism charities, organisations, schools, support groups, and social media. Analysis used descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and thematic analysis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 28, and Excel software were used to analyse the results.
RESULTS:
A total of 314 responses were received, with 82% completed by parents and 18% by adolescents. Most children (77%) were 4-12 years old, with 69.1% males and 28.9% females. Support levels were: 52.5% Level 1, 26.4% Level 2, and 21.1% Level 3. Additionally, 50% of children received a formal SPD diagnosis. Footwear choices included lace-less trainers (31%), Velcro shoes (20%), and laced trainers (20%). No significant associations were found between footwear choices, support levels, sex, or SPD categories (p>0.05). However, 90.5% of children could not/would not tie shoelaces, with females displaying higher lacing proficiency (χ2(2, n=300) =7.95, p<0.05, Cramers V = 0.16). Preferences favoured light, loose-fitting, soft, and smooth shoes for sensory comfort. Forty per cent of respondents noted changes in a childs motor skills, behaviour, and emotional status when wearing shoes, with the majority describing negative changes.
CONCLUSION:
This study found no significant differences in footwear choices based on sex, support levels, or SPD diagnosis, but preferences for specific shoe types were evident. Differences in motor skills, behaviour, and emotional status, when children wore shoes, were noted, emphasising the potential shoe intolerance in autistic children. This study further highlights the importance of ongoing research into footwear for this population to optimise motor skills, behaviour, and emotional health.