Sensory processing disorder assessments typically involve a combination of observations, questionnaires, and possibly standardized assessments to evaluate how a person responds to sensory information. We can provide a sensory processing disorder evaluation, but we often need to bring in other professional disciples, such as occupational therapists for children. As you will see below, a sensory processing disorder test for children and a sensory processing disorder test for adults differs in many ways. If you want to hear more about what a sensory processing assessment would be like for you or your child and the benefits you could gain, please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation anytime.
Steps in Sensory Processing Disorder Assessments
Here’s an overview of common approaches and tools we use in sensory processing assessments.
1. Background Information and Medical History
- Developmental History: Every sensory processing disorder evaluation starts with Information about developmental milestones, behaviors, and sensory preferences in infancy and early childhood.
- Family History: Any sensory, behavioral, or neurological issues in family members
- Medical History: Any known neurological or physical conditions, prenatal or birth complications, and hearing or vision issues.
2. Parent/Teacher Interviews in Sensory Processing Disorder Assessments
- Sensory Profile: A common sensory processing disorder evaluation tool where parents, teachers, or caregivers rate the frequency and intensity of sensory-related behaviors in children. Versions include the Sensory Profile 2 and the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile for older individuals.
- Sensory Processing Measure (SPM): Designed for children aged 5–12, the SPM is a sensory processing disorder evaluation for home and school. It has forms for both environments to provide a comprehensive view.
- Short Sensory Profile (SSP): A brief version of the Sensory Profile focusing on seven sensory dimensions (e.g., auditory filtering, sensory seeking). This measure can be used as a screening to see whether a full sensory processing disorder test for children is necessary.
3. Sensory Processing Disorder Assessments Through Observation
- Specialists: As part of a sensory processing disorder evaluation, professionals observe the person in different settings (e.g., clinic, school, home) to see how they react to sensory inputs, such as noise levels, textures, lights, movement, and social interactions.
- Functional Tasks: Observations may include how the person responds to activities that involve balance, fine motor skills, and coordination, as these can reveal sensory processing issues.
4. Tests Used in a Sensory Processing Disorder Evaluation
- Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) are a set of standardized tests for sensory processing disorder evaluation often used as a Sensory Processing disorder test for children ages 4-8 to assess different aspects of sensory processing and motor skills.
- Developmental Profile Tests: Sometimes, broader developmental tests, like the Denver Developmental Screening Test or Bayley Scales of Infant Development, help identify sensory processing challenges alongside other developmental delays.
5. Sensory Processing Disorder Assessments and Self-Reports (for Adolescents and Adults)
- Self-report sensory processing disorder evaluation questionnaires for older children, teens, and adults may help understand how they perceive sensory input and manage sensory challenges. For example, the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile provides insight into sensory preferences, such as sensory sensitivity and sensation seeking.
6. Sensory Processing Disorder Assessments by an Occupational Therapist
- An Occupational Therapist might perform various informal assessments and functional activities to gauge tactile, auditory, visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular responses. OTs are an important part of sensory processing disorder assessments.
- Hands-On Activities: Activities could include balance exercises, fine motor tasks, or engaging with different textures, which help assess thresholds for sensory input and adaptive responses.
Sensory Processing Disorder Assessments and Plans
Once the sensory processing disorder evaluation is complete, we will review the results, identify specific challenges, and discuss a tailored intervention plan, which may involve:
- Sensory integration therapy
- Sensory diets (scheduled sensory activities to help regulate responses)
- Environmental adaptations and workplace or educational accommodations
Sensory Processing Disorder Test for Children
A Sensory Processing Disorder Test in children usually involves standardized tests and observational tools to understand a child’s sensory processing abilities better. Here are some key sensory processing disorder assessments that professionals may use:
1. Sensory Processing Disorder Test for Children: Sensory Profile™ 2
- Purpose: This widely-used sensory processing disorder test for children identifies how a child responds to sensory input in daily life.
- Age Range: Various forms are available for infants, toddlers, children, and even adults.
- Structure: Parents, caregivers, or teachers complete a questionnaire about the child’s behavior in response to sensory stimuli in different contexts (e.g., auditory, tactile, visual).
- Outcomes: Helps categorize the child’s responses into sensory processing patterns, such as “sensory seeking,” “sensory sensitivity,” “sensory avoiding,” and “low registration.”
2. Sensory Processing Measure (SPM)
- Purpose: Another popular tool in sensory processing disorder assessments that evaluates sensory processing issues in multiple settings.
- Age Range: For children ages 5-12.
- Structure: Separate forms are completed by parents, teachers, or caregivers to assess sensory processing across various environments (e.g., home and school).
- Outcomes: Provides insight into sensory processing, praxis (motor planning), and social participation.
3. Short Sensory Profile (SSP)
- Purpose: A shorter version of the Sensory Profile focusing on seven key sensory processing areas. The SSP is often a part of screenings to decide whether a full sensory processing disorder test for children is necessary and what it might focus on.
- Age Range: For children ages 3-14.
- Structure: A quick 38-item questionnaire for caregivers that measures sensory sensitivity, sensory avoidance, and sensory seeking in daily activities.
- Outcomes: Identifies sensory-related issues in a shorter, more focused format.
4. Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT)
- Purpose: This sensory processing disorder test for children provides a more in-depth evaluation of sensory integration and motor planning.
- Age Range: Primarily for children aged 4-8.
- Structure: A comprehensive battery of 17 standardized tests, administered by a trained occupational therapist, that examine areas such as tactile processing, balance, and fine motor skills.
- Outcomes: Detailed information on a child’s sensory integration abilities and potential challenges in motor planning.
5. Observational Sensory Processing Disorder Assessments
- Purpose: Observational sensory processing disorder assessments help identify sensory processing challenges based on the child’s reactions on various tasks.
- Age Range: Suitable for children of any age.
- Structure: The occupational therapist observes the child in settings with different sensory demands, like playgrounds, classrooms, or clinics, to assess how they respond to sensory stimuli (e.g., loud noises, textures, movements).
- Outcomes: Provides insight into how the child manages real-life sensory experiences.
6. Additional Developmental Tests
- Purpose: While not specific to SPD, broader developmental assessments can sometimes highlight sensory processing challenges.
- Examples: Denver Developmental Screening Test, Bayley Scales of Infant Development.
- Outcomes: These tests examine general developmental areas, which can help spot delays or issues related to sensory processing.
When to Seek a Sensory Processing Evaluation for Your Child
If a child frequently exhibits behaviors like:
- Avoiding or craving certain textures, noises, or movements
- Being overly sensitive or under-responsive to sensory input (e.g., loud noises, light touch)
- Struggling with coordination, balance, or fine motor skills
- Experiencing meltdowns in noisy, busy environments
Then, it is a good idea to consult with us or an occupational therapist to decide whether a sensory processing disorder test for children would be helpful.
Sensory Processing Disorder Test for Adults
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can affect adults, often impacting daily routines, work, relationships, and social interactions. A sensory processing disorder test for adults is more complex than in children since adults may have developed coping mechanisms over time. However, several tools and approaches help identify sensory processing issues in adults.
1. Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile
- Purpose: A standardized sensory processing disorder test for adults to identify sensory processing patterns in adults and adolescents.
- Structure: A self-report questionnaire where the individual rates their response to various sensory experiences (e.g., sensitivity to sound, texture, movement).
- Categories: Based on responses, individuals are categorized into four sensory processing patterns: “sensory seeking,” “sensory avoiding,” “sensory sensitivity,” and “low registration.”
- Outcomes: Provides insights into how sensory processing may influence daily life, work, and social interactions. It also helps create tailored strategies to manage sensory needs.
2. Sensory Processing Scale Assessment (Self-Assessment)
- Purpose: A more informal self-assessment tool to help adults reflect on their sensory preferences and sensitivities. This sensory processing disorder test for adults requires accurate reporting.
- Structure: Typically includes questions about the individual’s response to various sensory inputs (e.g., sounds, textures, smells, and movements).
- Outcomes: Not a diagnostic tool but can guide individuals in identifying their sensory challenges and preferences. It can also provide insight into specific sensory sensitivities to discuss with a healthcare provider.
3. Sensory Processing Disorder Test for Adults Through Observation
- Purpose: Professional observations are often part of a sensory processing disorder test for adults to help to identify issues that may not be obvious in self-reports.
- Structure: The occupational therapist may observe the adult in a variety of environments or engage them in activities that require processing sensory information (e.g., tasks involving fine motor skills, navigating different textures, and environments with various sounds or lights).
- Outcomes: This method can reveal sensory sensitivities or avoidance behaviors that impact daily life, helping the therapist recommend targeted interventions.
4. Informal Sensory Processing Disorder Assessments Through Self-Reflection
- Purpose: Self-reflection exercises can be part of a sensory processing disorder test for adults to help explore the impact of sensory processing on their life.
- Structure: Questions may include:
- “How do I feel in crowded or noisy places?”
- “Do I avoid certain textures or foods?”
- “Am I sensitive to bright lights or loud sounds?”
- “Do I seek out certain sensations (e.g., spinning, squeezing objects)?”
- Outcomes: Self-reflection may help identify sensory triggers or soothing strategies. It’s a useful tool for starting conversations with a healthcare provider.
5. Additional Mental Health Evaluation
- Purpose: Since SPD in adults often coexists with other conditions (like anxiety, Attention deficits, or PTSD), additional assessments can provide context.
- Examples: General mental health screenings or occupational aptitude assessments to evaluate how sensory challenges may be impacting overall well-being or work performance.
- Outcomes: Combined with sensory processing disorder test for adults, these can offer a more comprehensive understanding of how SPD interacts with other aspects of mental health.
Seeking a Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
If SPD is suspected in adulthood, consulting an occupational therapist or mental health professional familiar with sensory processing is recommended. With this, an individualized plan can be developed, often involving:
- Sensory diets or sensory integration activities
- Environmental adjustments to reduce sensory overload
- Strategies for managing sensory challenges, including workplace accommodations if necessary
Summary and Our Work
We can provide sensory processing disorder test for adults and for children, following much of the process above. While some of the evaluations can be done virtually, we may need to do some in person or find someone local to you to do some of them. We start with a brief screening to make sure that a full sensory processing evaluation is necessary.
If you have any questions about what a sensory processing disorder for adults or children might do for you or a loved one, please feel free to contact us or schedule a consultation anytime.
