Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile

Adaptation of a Sensory Reactivity Assessment for Use With Children in the Western Cape Province, South Africa

Background: Sensory reactivity (SR) difficulties are characterised by problems regulating an individual's responses to sensory input such that it interferes with occupational performance in daily tasks. South African occupational therapists use assessments developed in the United States to identify SR difficulties in children. These have been found to be inappropriate for the South African context. This study reports on the methodology used to adapt an assessment for use in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Method: The SPM-2 Child and Preschool caregiver self-report questionnaires and seven tests of the performance-based Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) that assess SR were identified for adaptation. A qualitative methodology was used to identify challenges using the assessment in a sample of the Western Cape population. Cognitive interviews were conducted with six community members from diverse socioeconomic groupings. Inductive analysis was used to identify and group the emerging themes. The test adaptation was conducted by expert occupational therapists based on these findings. Findings: Challenges were grouped into two themes, namely, language challenges, of which there were three subcategories and inappropriate or threatening assessment tasks. Fifty-three changes were made to the assessment. Conclusion: A detailed methodology was developed to adapt a SR assessment for use in the Western Cape Province. Challenges in using the assessment were elicited primarily from community members rather than professionals.

Atypical Sensory Processing and Its Correlation with Behavioral Problems in Late Preterm Children at Age Two

This study aimed to compare the prevalence rate of atypical sensory processing in late preterm (LP) and term children at two years of age and to further investigate the co-occurrence of atypical sensory processing and behavioral problems (internalizing/externalizing) in both groups of children. A total of 104 children (52 LP and 52 sex- and birth order-matched term children) were included. The primary caregivers were asked to complete the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile-Chinese version and the Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5Y-Chinese version (CBCL-C/1.5-5). We found that the LP group had a similar prevalence rate of atypical sensory processing to the term group. However, neonatal intensive care unit experience (r = -0.356, p = 0.013, with visual processing) and days of ventilation and supplementary oxygen (r = -0.392, p = 0.004, with low registration) after birth were significantly correlated with the atypical sensory processing of LP children. Both LP and term children with behavioral problems seemed to have a higher prevalence rate of atypical sensory processing than their peers without behavioral problems. However, when Bonferroni correction was used to control for the statistical errors of multiple comparisons, only in the LP group did the co-occurrence of atypical sensory processing (auditory and oral sensory processing and sensation avoiding) and behavioral problems reach significance. In conclusion, the influence of late preterm birth on sensory processing may become subtle at age two, with the exception of those LP children experiencing complicated medical management after birth. A high level of co-occurrence of atypical sensory processing and behavioral problems suggests that the administration of a sensory processing assessment may be helpful to clarify the cause of problematic behavior and to recommend an appropriate intervention for LP children with behavioral problems.