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.
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