Winnie Dunn

The Impact of Sensory Processing Abilities on the Daily Lives of Young Children and Their Families: A Conceptual Model

The article describes a proposed model for considering sensory processing an important factor in young childrens performance. The author reviews constructs from neuroscience and behavioral science to propose how the transaction among these constructs may provide a framework for understanding various patterns of behavior and for developing methods for handling young childrens sensory processing needs in a functional and supportive manner. The author reviews data from a series of studies on the Sensory Profile, a family -report measure of a childs responses to sensory experiences during daily life, to illustrate the utility and possible quantitative support for the

Supporting Children to Participate Successfully in Everyday Life by Using Sensory Processing Knowledge

There is an accumulating literature describing sensory processing in young children and suggesting the importance of this knowledge for understanding the characteristics of vulnerable children. Professionals and families need a working knowledge about sensory processing because it enables them to understand and interpret childrens behaviors and to tailor everyday life routines so that children may have successful and satisfying experiences. This article reviews Dunns model of sensory processing, and summarizes both typical and special population evidences that demonstrate support for the model. The article also describes how the concepts in this model are reflected in everyday behaviors so that readers can link the concepts to their own knowledge about young children. Since processing concepts are based on evidence across the lifespan, this knowledge can also enable caregivers to understand their own responses as well. The article then discusses the application of sensory processing knowledge within natural contexts and routines, arguing that using sensory processing knowledge to analyze, adapt, and support the established routines is an effective application of knowledge. Finally, the article provides specific suggestions for adapting everyday life situations to meet the needs of children with different patterns of sensory processing, and illustrates how adults can manage their own sensory processing needs as they care for young children.

Patterns of Sensory Processing in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The researchers conducted this study to compare the sensory responses of children whose primary diagnosis was Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and children without disabilities on the Sensory Profile, a parent-reporting measure of childrens sensory responses in daily life (Dunn, 1999). Parents of 70 children 3 to 15 years old with a primary diagnosis of ADHD and parents of children without disabilities matched by age and gender completed the Sensory Profile. Researchers completed a series of Multivariate Analyses of Variance (MANOVA) with post hoc testing to compare the performance of the two groups of children. Children with ADHD differed significantly from children without disabilities in their sensory responsiveness based on Sensory Profile results. The Sensory Profile can contribute to diagnostic and program planning processes and increase understanding of the nature of the disorder of ADHD.

Mealtime problems in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their typically developing siblings: A comparison study

Many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have mealtime problems. Diagnosis and the social environment may influence eating behaviours. We examined whether children with ASD have more mealtime problems than their typically developing siblings, and whether age and sex are associated with mealtime problems. Forty-eight families participated in this cross sectional study by completing a questionnaire (Eating Profile) for their child with ASD, 3 to 12 years of age. A second Eating Profile was completed for the sibling nearest in age without ASD. Children with ASD had a mean of 13.3 eating problems, with lack of food variety predominating. Siblings had 5.0 problems. Children with ASD had more eating problems as infants. Older children tended to have fewer problems than younger children. This study points to the importance of screening for mealtime problems. Children with ASD had significantly more mealtime problems than their sibling living in the same social environment.

Asperger Syndrome and Sensory Processing A Conceptual Model and Guidance for Intervention Planning

The purpose of this article is to discuss sensory processing concepts and their application to the needs of children who have Asperger syndrome (AS). First we will outline the basic characteristics of the sensory systems, then discuss a model for sensory processing, and, finally, present a summary of the data supporting the application of this model in work with children who have AS. A framework is outlined for incorporating sensory processing concepts into practice and research programs that address the needs of children with AS. Finally, we will present case studies demonstrating the application of sensory processing principles.

Impact of a contextual intervention on child participation and parent competence among children with autism spectrum disorders: a pretest-posttest repeated-measures design.

OBJECTIVE. We tested an occupational therapy contextual intervention for improving participation in children with autism spectrum disorders and for developing parental competence. METHOD. Using a repeated-measures pretest-posttest design, we evaluated the effectiveness of a contextually relevant reflective guidance occupational therapy intervention involving three components: authentic activity settings, familys daily routines, and the childs sensory processing patterns (Sensory Profile). We used these components to coach 20 parents in strategies to support their childs participation. Intervention sessions involved reflective discussion with parents to support them in identifying strategies to meet their goals and make joint plans for the coming week. We measured child participation (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Goal Attainment Scaling) and parent competence (Parenting Sense of Competence, Parenting Stress Index). RESULTS. Results indicated that parents felt more competent and children significantly increased participation in everyday life, suggesting that this approach is an effective occupational therapy intervention.

Sensory processing in schizophrenia: missing and avoiding information

The possible coexistence of supersensitivity and overinhibition (Schizophrenia: Origins, Processes, Treatment and Outcome (1993) 335-350) in schizophrenia was studied using the Adult Sensory Profile as a measure of Dunns (Infants Young Children 9 (1997) 23-25) model of sensory processing. The quadrant model describes sensory sensitivity, sensation avoiding, low registration and sensation seeking as behavioral responses to sensation. Individuals with schizophrenia (N = 27), bipolar disorder (N = 30) and mentally healthy controls (N = 29) were compared using the Adult Sensory Profile. When compared to the mentally healthy group, the results indicated that both the schizophrenia group and the bipolar disorder group had higher scores on sensation avoiding. The schizophrenia group also had higher scores on low registration and lower scores on sensation seeking than the mentally health group. There were no differences between the schizophrenia and bipolar disorder group. According to the findings of this study, individuals with schizophrenia tend to miss available sensory stimuli. When stimuli are indeed detected, they are often avoided.

A Comparison of Service Provision Models in School-Based Occupational Therapy Services: A Pilot Study

Occupational therapists provide services to children within a number of service provision models. Although the literature discusses these service provision models, there have been very few investigations to identify the effects of these models. This pilot study compared the provision of direct serice (DS) and collaborative consultation (C) in 14 preschoolers and kindergarteners randomly assigned to interventions. Individualized Education Program goal attainment was used as the measure of educationally relevant child outcomes. Therapists and teachers completed an attitude survey before and after participating in the study. Pilot study results indicate that although children in both conditions achieved a similar percentage of IEP goals, teachers in the C condition reported much larger occupational therapy contributions to IEP goals and had more positive comments on the attitude scale. Results suggest that similar levels of goal attainment can be achieved in direct service and consultation, and that the relationships that develop between therapists and teachers may lead to a more positive overall view of the learning environment and the contribution of occupational therapy to that environment. Further study is needed to identify additional service provision factors that contribute to successful program outcomes.

Initial Development of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile

We report on initial development of the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile; a parent questionnaire assessing a childs sensory processing abilities. Parents of 401 typically developing infants and toddlers completed the 81-item questionnaire. Findings suggest that 48 of 81 items best characterized sensory processing for children 7 to 36 months of age, whereas 36 items appeared relevant for children birth to 6 months of age. Principal component analysis for 7 to 36 month olds produced an 8-component structure accounting for 47% of score variance. Reliability analyses were consistent with clusters previously identified in Dunns model of sensory processing for older children (Dunn, 1997a). Implications for future work include replication with a large national sample and with specific disability groups.

Association of sensory processing and eating problems in children with autism spectrum disorders.

“Selective” or “picky eating” is a frequent problem in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Many of these children do not treat sensory input, particularly olfactory, auditory, visual, and tactile information in the same manner as their typically developing peers of the same age. The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between problems of sensory processing and the number of eating problems in children with ASD. Of 95 children with ASD, 3 to 10 years of age, 65 percent showed a definite difference and 21 percent a probable difference in sensory processing on the total score of the Short Sensory Profile. These results were significantly related to an increase in the number of eating problems measured by the Eating Profile. These results could not be explained by age, sex, mental retardation, attention deficit disorder, or hyperactivity. Timely interventions focusing on the sensory components of eating must now be developed.