Sensory Assessments
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The Sensory Profile™ 2 is a family of assessments providing standardised tools to help evaluate a child's sensory processing patterns. It looks at sensory skills in the home, at school, and within community-based activities.
It can help identify and document how sensory processing may be contributing to or interfering with a child's participation at home, school and the community.
It provides caregivers and teachers with deeper insight into a child’s sensory needs in order to implement strategies and make environmental adaptations.
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The Sensory profile assessment can take place in clinic, at home, in school, online or with the therapist over the phone. It will be scored and analysed by a qualified Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner.
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Some of the common reasons a sensory assessment is pursued can be found below:
Easily distracted by noises
Struggles to tolerate certain sensations such as light touch, loud noises, certain smells or tastes
Rocks/shakes/spins
Constantly fidgets or struggles to remain seated
Over sensitive to light/covering eyes
Difficulty with attention and concentration
However, there are many reasons why a sensory assessment may be beneficial. Please discuss this with the OT who will be able to provide further advice.
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In the practice of Ayres' Sensory Integration, structured clinical neurological observations form part of the comprehensive assessment. This is needed to understand the sensory challenges and how they contribute to difficulties participating in activities of daily living.
The therapist will therefore direct the child to complete a series of tasks or movements in order to gain further information. The therapist may also observe the child in free play.
Following this a discussion with parents will be held and a report will be formulated based on the findings of these observations.
This assessment is often vital in highlighting areas that are not identified in standardised tests.