Authors: Dunn, W.
Year of Publication: 2014 (2nd ed)
Publisher: Pearson
Type of Assessments:
Standardized
Norm-referenced
Cost: $381.00 (Complete kit)
Age: Birth-6 months
Diagnoses: Children at risk of, suspected of, or diagnosed with sensory processing or integration challenges/disorders
Setting: Early Intervention, outpatient pediatrics, hospitals, rehab centers, community programs, school-based
standardized tool that evaluates a child’s sensory processing in daily life, helping identify how it supports or hinders participation. Combined with other contextual information, it guides professionals in planning effective interventions for children, families, and educators
General processing
Auditory processing
Visual processing
Tactile processing
Movement processing
Oral sensory processing
Behavioral indicators
Conduct
Attention
Social-Emotional
Time: 10-15 mins
Group/Individual: Individual
Subtests: 36 items falling within 4 sensory processing patterns (seeking, avoiding, sensitivity, registration) and 9 systems (auditory, visual, movement, touch, oral, body position, conduct, social-emotional, attention)
Instructions: The examiner should explain to the caregiver of the purpose of the assessment and emphasize there is no right or wrong answers.
Review the rating scale with the caregiver to ensure their understanding of the option that best describes their child's behaviors.
The caregiver will respond on the form based on their child's typical behaviors.
The caregiver should respond as honestly and completely as possible based on their observations at home over the past month.
Once answered, review the form for completeness and score the sheet.
Rating scale:
Almost Always (5)
Frequently (4)
Half the Time (3)
Occasionally (2)
Almost Never (1)
Materials: User manual, response forms, scoring sheet, pen/pencil
User Qualifications: While OTs are the recommended professional to administer and interpret the assessment, there are no specified professionals, so long as they understanding sensory processing and are familiar with the assessment components
How to Score: Based on the caregiver's report, the numbers will be transferred into the associated systems section and processing patterns.
Scores will be summed within each sensory processing system section (e.g. auditory, visual) for a total section score
Scores will be compared to the normative cutoff scores based on the manual to determine where the child's performance falls (typical, potentially different, definitely different)
Scores will also be compared to percentiles to determine the child's sensory patterns and its impact on function to guide interventions
Reliability:
Internal consistency - High (>.80)
Test-retest reliability - Good
Validity:
Strong construct & content validity
Strengths:
Quick, easy to use
Captures child's sensory responses as they are observed in daily routines
Can detect atypical sensory processing early on
Provides insights into specific sensory areas that should be focused on
Non-invasive which reduces child and caregiver stress
Standardized and norm-referenced
Weaknesses:
Based on caregiver report - does not include direct assessment of the child's behavioral responses
US-based norms
Requires the use of supplemental assessments for in-depth review of sensory responses - cannot be used as a stand-alone diagnostic tool
Limited scope on sensory processing
Dunn, W. (n.d.). Sensory profile 2. Pearson Assessments. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/en-us/Store/Professional-Assessments/Motor-Sensory/Sensory-Profile-2/p/100000822?tab=product-details
Dunn, W. (n.d.). Sensory profile 2 manual. Pearson.
Dunn, W. (n.d.). Infant/toddler sensory profile. Pearson Assessments. https://www.pearsonassessments.com/en-us/Store/Professional-Assessments/Motor-Sensory/Infant-Toddler-Sensory-Profile/p/100000389#
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab. (2023, May 15). Sensory profile. https://www.sralab.org/rehabilitation-measures/sensory-profile