Sensory Modulation Disorders

      There are several assessments that you can do to assess people’s sensory dysfunctions there is a caregiver report measure for sensory processing behaviours this is called the sensory profile and is for use with children between the ages of 3 and 10 years old, (Dunn, 1999).  There is also the sensory processing measure is measured on the Likert scale and the aspects contain three areas (sensory processing, praxis and social participation) these are assessed in seven different school environments, (classroom, recess, cafeteria, music, art, physical education, and bus), (Miller et. al. 2007).

     

            Sensory modulation disorders can be associated with other disorders such as; autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and in adults is associated with mental health disorders.  In children with autism it is more often seen in the tactile senses, and can have aspects of under responsivity, over responsivity and sensory seeking (Williams et. al. 2006). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can often be diagnosed instead of a sensory integration dysfunction, some of the behaviours leading to a diagnosis of ADHD are closely related to sensory modulation such as; a child not seating on a seat in class due to bad proprioception where as the same child given bumpy cushion to sit on may sit still for the class

      This is a Video where children of different ages give their opinion's on sensory processing disorders from their experiment they were in. 

Dunn.W. (1999). Sensory Profiling. San Antonio: The Psychological Corporation.

Miller-Kuhaneck H, Henry DA, Glennon TJ, Mu K (2007). "Development of the Sensory Processing Measure-School: initial studies of reliability and validity". American Journal Occupational Therapy. 61 (2)

Williams DL, Goldstein G, Minshew NJ (2006). "Neuropsychologic functioning in children with autism: further evidence for disordered complex information-processing". Child Neuropsychology 12 (4–5)