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Research Article  |   January 2001
The Adult Sensory Profile: Measuring Patterns of Sensory Processing
Catana Brown; Nona Tollefson; Winnie Dunn; Rue Cromwell; Diane Filion
Author Affiliations
  • Catana Brown, PhD, OTR, is Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy Education, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3033 Robinson, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas 66160; tbrown@kumc.edu
  • Nona Tollefson, PhD, is Professor, Department of Psychology and Research in Education, University of Kansas
  • Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR, is Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy Education, University of Kansas Medical Center
  • Rue Cromwell, PhD, is Distinguished Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Kansas
  • Diane Filion, PhD, is Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Missouri in Kansas City
Article Information
Sensory Integration and Processing / General
Research Article   |   January 2001
The Adult Sensory Profile: Measuring Patterns of Sensory Processing
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January/February 2001, Vol. 55, 75-82. doi:10.5014/ajot.55.1.75
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, January/February 2001, Vol. 55, 75-82. doi:10.5014/ajot.55.1.75
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Abstract

Objective.This article describes a series of studies designed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Adult Sensory Profile.

Method.Expert judges evaluated the construct validity of the items. Coefficient alpha, factor analysis, and correlations of items with subscales determined item reliability, using data from 615 adult sensory profiles. A subsample of 20 adults furnished skin conductance data. A heterogeneous group of 93 adults completed the revised Adult Sensory Profile, and item reliability was reexamined.

Results.Expert judgment indicated that items could be categorized according to Dunn’s Model of Sensory Processing. Results suggested reasonable item reliability for all subscales except for the Sensation Avoiding subscale. Skin conductance measures detected distinct patterns of physiological responses consistent with the four-quadrant model. Revision of the Adult Sensory Profile resulted in improved reliability of the Sensation Avoiding subscale.

Conclusion.The series of studies provides evidence to support the four subscales of the Adult Sensory Profile as distinct constructs of sensory processing preferences.