Adolescents  Sensory Profile 

Basic Information

Title/Author(s)

Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile
Authors: Catana E. Brown, PhD, OTR, FAOTA & Winnie Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Year of Publication & Publisher

Published in 2002 by Pearson

Assessment Details

Identify TWO Types

• Standardized scoring

• Self-reporting

Cost & How to Access

• Cost: Approximately $183.20 for the complete kit (prices may vary).

• Source: Available through Pearson Assessments.

• Direct Link: Pearson Assessments - Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (check for updated prices and availability)

Population & Setting

• Population: Individuals aged 11-65+ years

• Setting: Used in clinical, educational, vocational, and research settings to evaluate sensory processing patterns and their impact on daily life.

Purpose & Areas Assessed

The Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile is designed to help individuals self-evaluate their behavioral responses to everyday sensory experiences. It provides a standardized method for professionals and individuals to measure and profile how sensory processing affects functional performance.

• The assessment is based on the Sensory Profile framework and identifies four sensory processing patterns:

  1. Low Registration (high threshold, passive response)

  2. Sensation Seeking (high threshold, active response)

  3. Sensory Sensitivity (low threshold, passive response)

  4. Sensation Avoiding (low threshold, active response)

Administration & Scoring

Administration

• Time required: 10-15 minutes

• The assessment consists of self-report questions where individuals rate their responses to various sensory experiences.

• If an individual has difficulty understanding a question, clarifications can be provided without indicating a specific response.

  • Example:

    • Original: "I add spice to my food."

    • Clarification: "Adding pepper or other seasonings."

    • Original: "I am bothered by the feeling in my mouth when I wake up in the morning."

    • Rephrased: "I don’t like how my mouth feels before I brush my teeth."

User Qualifications

• This assessment can be administered by a variety of professionals, including:

  • Occupational therapists

  • Psychologists

  • Educators

  • Social workers

  • Vocational counselors

  • Physicians

• It is useful for both clinical service providers and researchers studying the relationship between sensory processing and daily life activities.

Materials Required

• Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile Manual

• Self-Questionnaire

Scoring

• Scores are calculated by tallying responses and categorizing them into the four sensory processing patterns.

• The scoring sheet compares individual responses to normative data.

• Results provide a profile of sensory processing preferences, which can help guide intervention strategies and environmental modifications.

Psychometrics/Standardization

• Reliability:

  • Demonstrates strong internal consistency across items.

  • High test-retest reliability indicating stable results over time.

• Validity:

  • The sensory processing patterns measured correlate with functional outcomes in various settings.

• Norms:

  • Standardized using a representative sample of adolescents and adults.

  • Results are interpreted relative to age-based norms.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths:

1. Quick to administer

   • Takes only 10-15 minutes, making it practical for busy clinical and educational settings.

2. Self-report format

   • Allows individuals to express their own sensory experiences, providing personalized insight.

3. Standardized and well-researched

   • Based on the validated Sensory Profile framework, ensuring reliable and meaningful results.

4. Useful for multiple professionals

   • Can be used by a variety of professionals beyond occupational therapy, including psychologists, educators, and counselors.

5. Enhances intervention planning

   • Helps in designing individualized interventions for sensory-related difficulties in daily life, work, or school settings.

Weaknesses:

1. Self-report limitations

   • Results depend on an individual's self-awareness and ability to describe sensory experiences, which may not be accurate in all cases (e.g., individuals with cognitive impairments).

2. Limited scope for complex cases

   • While it identifies sensory processing patterns, it does not diagnose specific conditions or provide direct treatment plans.

3. Expensive

   • The complete kit costs over $180, which might be cost-prohibitive for some clinics or individual practitioners.

4. Potential bias in responses

   • Individuals may underestimate or overestimate their sensory challenges, especially if they have limited insight into their own sensory preferences.

5. Not suitable for younger children

   • The assessment is designed for ages 11 and up, so younger children require a different version of the Sensory Profile.

References

Brown, C. E., & Dunn, W. (2002). Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. Pearson.

            Forero Maríate. (2019). Adult Sensory Profile Questionnaire_Scoring (1).pdf. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/410173209/Adult-Sensory-Profile-Questionnaire-Scoring-1-pdf

Additional Sources:

Pearson Assessments. (n.d.). Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile. Retrieved from https://www.pearsonassessments.com