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Research Article  |   March 2007
An Examination of the Relationships Between Motor and Process Skills and Scores on the Sensory Profile
Barbara Prudhomme White; Shelley Mulligan; Kristen Merrill; Janet Wright
Author Affiliations
  • Barbara Prudhomme White, PhD, OTR/L, is Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire, Durham
  • Shelley Mulligan, PhD, OTR/L, is Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Hewitt Hall, 4 Library Way, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824; shelley.mulligan@unh.edu
  • Kristen Merrill, MS, OTR/L, is Early Intervention Therapist–Easter Seals, Manchester, NH
  • Janet Wright, MS, OTR/L, is Director, KidzPlay Developmental Therapy, Londonderry, NH
Article Information
Sensory Integration and Processing / Conceptualizing and Identifying Sensory Processing Issues
Research Article   |   March 2007
An Examination of the Relationships Between Motor and Process Skills and Scores on the Sensory Profile
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, March/April 2007, Vol. 61, 154-160. doi:10.5014/ajot.61.2.154
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, March/April 2007, Vol. 61, 154-160. doi:10.5014/ajot.61.2.154
Abstract

OBJECTIVE. This quasi-experimental study sought to determine whether children with possible sensory processing deficits, as measured by the Sensory Profile, performed less well on an occupational performance measure compared to children with typical Sensory Profile scores.

METHOD. Sixty-eight children were administered both the Assessment of Motor Process Skills (AMPS) and the Sensory Profile. After the assessments were completed, children were divided into two groups based on their Sensory Profile scores.

RESULTS. Independent t tests indicated statistically significant differences between groups on the AMPS ADL [Activities of Daily Living] Motor and ADL Process measures (p < .05), with the children with atypical Sensory Profile scores showing more functional difficulties. Correlations revealed significant relationships among the measures.

CONCLUSION. The results suggest that children identified with sensory processing deficits on the Sensory Profile are likely to experience some challenges in performing everyday occupations.