Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations.
The purpose of this study was to describe the sensory processing abilities of infants and toddlers over time (10-18 months) in a medically underserved area. Neurotypical infant–maternal dyads took part in the IDAHO Mom Study. The data from this cohort of infants and toddlers is similar to the scores of the foundational sample within the Sensory Profile 2 manual and may represent increased measurement reliability of typically developing infants and toddlers.
Primary Author and Speaker: Bryan M. Gee
Contributing Authors: Nicki Abuchon-Endsley, Abby Prow
PURPOSE: Sensory processing is the ability to effectively receive, organize, and interpret sensory stimuli from the environment, including visual, tactile, vestibular, and auditory experiences (Dunn, 2007). The Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile 2 (SP2) (Dunn, 2014), based on Dunn's Model of Sensory Processing evaluates infants and toddlers' behavioral responses to sensory stimuli as observed and reported by a caregiver. The purpose of this study was to describe the sensory processing abilities of infants and toddlers over time (10-18 months), in a medically underserved area.
DESIGN: The study utilized a prospective cohort research design.
METHODS: Neuro-typical infant/maternal dyads took part in the IDAHO Mom Study examining perinatal influences on maternal and infant health and behavioral outcomes. Expectant mothers in the greater Southeastern Idaho community (medically underserved) were recruited. A total of 125 women completed the prenatal session with 96 women completing the 6-month postnatal session, and 61 women either completing the long-term follow up (LTFU). At the prenatal and 6-month postnatal sessions, the Infant and Toddler SP2 was completed at the LTFU sessions (10 months, 14 months, and 18 months). The majority of participants were Caucasian (92%), were employed (60%), completed some college or higher (82%), and designated their religious preference as Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (62%). There was a broad range of income levels amongst participants.
RESULTS: Descriptive and correlational statistics were conducted to evaluate the representation of sensory domains of infants/toddlers across the ages of 10, 14 and 18 months. In each category, the average sensory processing ability was categorized as typical processing in every sensory domain at 10, 14, and 18 months. Notable findings include sensory processing of visual, oral, movement, and general processing. When evaluating visual and oral processing of sensory information in the sample population at 10 months, there was some variation of processing but by 14 months, the sample showed less variability and a tighter distribution around the typical processing category. Furthermore, movement processing showed a similar decrease in variability from 14 to 18 months. General processing of sensory information showed a consistent average and variability at 10, 14, and 18 months with the majority of infants falling within the typical processing category.
CONCLUSIONS: Almost all sensory domains revealed areas that decreased in variability between 10 and 14 months on the SP2. Considerations for decreased variability from 10 to 14 months include: (1) the caregiver's observation and reporting at 10 months considers the first 10 months of infant's life while the second observation and reporting at 14 months only considers behaviors for months, (2) typical changes due to maturation. The data from this cohort of infants and toddlers is similar to the scores of the foundational sample within the SP2 manual and may represent increased measurement reliability of typically developing infants/toddlers. Additionally, caregiver perceptions of their child's sensory processing may be consistent across time as the infant/toddler matures.
References
Dunn, W. (2007). Supporting children to participate successfully in everyday life by using sensory processing knowledge. Infants & Young Children, 20(2), 84-101.
Dunn, W. (2014). Sensory profile 2. Psych Corporation. Bloomington, Massachusetts
