Sensory Processing Measure - Preschool (SPM-P 2)

Title of Assessment

Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2)

Author(s)

Winifred (Winnie) Dunn, PhD, OTR, FAOTA

Year of Publication / Publisher

2014, Pearson

Identify Type of Assessment

Standardized, norm-referenced questionnaire-based sensory processing assessment

Cost (identify source) & How to Access

Starter kits begin at approximately $381.50. Individual forms (e.g., Infant, Toddler, Child, School Companion) range in price depending on format and quantity. Available through Pearson Clinical Assessments in print and digital formats (Q-global).

Assessment (include link if possible)

Sensory Profile 2 is available through Pearson Clinical Assessments.

Population (who it is appropriate for [age, diagnosis, etc.])

Children from birth to 14 years, 11 months. Appropriate for children with or without diagnoses, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing disorder (SPD), and developmental delays.

Appropriate Settings (potential practice settings appropriate to administer assessment in)

• Early intervention programs
  
  

• Pediatric outpatient therapy clinics
  
  

• School settings (preschool through secondary education)
  
  

• Community-based therapy centers
  
  

• Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation
  
  

• Research and clinical evaluation programs
  
  

Purpose of Assessment & Function(s)/Area(s) Assessed

The Sensory Profile 2 evaluates how children process sensory information in the context of daily life and how this affects their participation. It provides insight into sensory preferences and behavioral responses across quadrants:

• Seeking
  
  

• Avoiding
  
  

• Sensitivity
  
  

• Registration
  Additional sections assess specific sensory systems (e.g., auditory, visual, tactile) and school-related factors.
  
  

Administration (time to administer, group/individual, subtests, standardization instructions, etc.)

• Format: Questionnaire completed by parent, teacher, or caregiver
  
  

• Administration time: 5–20 minutes depending on the form
  
  

• Scoring: 10 minutes manually, or instant with Q-global digital platform
  
  

• Standardized instructions and scoring procedures included
  
  

• Forms include: Infant (birth–6 months), Toddler (7–35 months), Child (3–14:11 years), Short Form, and School Companion
  
  

User Qualifications

Qualification Level B—requires appropriate graduate training in assessment or licensure (e.g., OT, SLP, psychologist, early intervention specialist)

Materials Required

• Sensory Profile 2 manual
  
  

• Relevant form(s) based on age and setting
  
  

• Scoring summary sheet or Q-global access
  No manipulatives are required.
  
  

Scoring Procedure (how is assessment scored and what does score indicate)

Caregivers rate behaviors on a 5-point Likert scale (e.g., Always, Frequently, Occasionally, Seldom, Never). Raw scores are totaled and converted into standardized scores (percentile ranks, classifications like “More than Others” or “Much Less than Others”). Profiles help identify patterns that may support or interfere with function.

Psychometrics / Standardization (norms, reliability/validity studies)

• Norm sample: 1,791 children from the U.S., stratified by age, sex, ethnicity, and region
  
  

• Internal consistency: α = .77–.96 across forms
  
  

• Validity: Confirmed construct validity supporting Dunn’s sensory processing model; good test–retest reliability and inter-rater agreement
  
  

• Aligned with DSM-5 criteria for sensory-related behavioral concerns
  
  

Strengths & Weaknesses of Assessment

Strengths

• Broad age range with multiple tailored forms
  
  

• Short, easy to administer
  
  

• Strong psychometric properties
  
  

• Useful for developing intervention strategies
  
  

• Digital scoring available (Q-global)
  
  

• Useful in both clinical and educational settings
  
  

Weaknesses

• Subject to rater bias (caregiver/teacher report)
  
  

• Not a performance-based tool
  
  

• Doesn’t directly track progress or sensory thresholds
  
  

• Separate purchases required for each form/age group