Sensory Processing Assessment: Comprehensive Testing Guide
Understanding sensory processing differences through comprehensive assessment, professional testing tools, and personalized intervention strategies
What is Sensory Processing?
Sensory processing refers to how our nervous system receives, organizes, and responds to sensory information from our environment and our own bodies. When this system works differently, it can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life.
- Automatic filtering of irrelevant sensory input
- Appropriate responses to sensory experiences
- Effective regulation of arousal and attention
- Smooth integration across sensory systems
- Over- or under-responsiveness to stimuli
- Seeking or avoiding specific sensations
- Difficulty with sensory discrimination
- Challenges with motor planning and coordination
The Eight Sensory Systems
Understanding sensory processing requires knowledge of all eight sensory systems, not just the traditional five senses.
Processing light and visual information
- • Brightness sensitivity
- • Color perception
- • Movement tracking
- • Depth perception
Processing sounds and auditory input
- • Volume sensitivity
- • Frequency discrimination
- • Background noise filtering
- • Sound localization
Processing touch and texture
- • Light touch sensitivity
- • Texture discrimination
- • Temperature awareness
- • Pressure tolerance
Processing smells and odors
- • Scent sensitivity
- • Odor discrimination
- • Chemical detection
- • Memory associations
Processing taste and flavors
- • Taste sensitivity
- • Flavor discrimination
- • Food texture tolerance
- • Temperature preferences
Processing balance and movement
- • Balance coordination
- • Movement tolerance
- • Spatial orientation
- • Motion sensitivity
Processing body position and force
- • Body awareness
- • Force regulation
- • Joint position sense
- • Movement planning
Processing internal body signals
- • Hunger/thirst awareness
- • Bathroom needs
- • Heart rate changes
- • Emotional body signals
Types of Processing Differences
Sensory processing differences manifest in various patterns, each requiring different assessment approaches and interventions.
Heightened sensitivity to sensory input, leading to avoidance or distress responses.
Common Presentations:
- • Covers ears with loud sounds
- • Avoids certain clothing textures
- • Distressed by bright lights
- • Avoids crowded spaces
- • Limited food preferences
Assessment Focus:
- • Threshold identification
- • Avoidance patterns
- • Stress responses
- • Coping strategies
- • Environmental factors
Reduced awareness or response to sensory input, potentially missing important environmental cues.
Common Presentations:
- • Doesn't notice when called
- • High pain tolerance
- • Unaware of temperature changes
- • Bumps into things frequently
- • Difficulty recognizing hunger/thirst
Assessment Focus:
- • Detection thresholds
- • Response latency
- • Safety awareness
- • Attention patterns
- • Compensatory behaviors
Actively seeking intense or frequent sensory experiences to meet neurological needs.
Common Presentations:
- • Enjoys spinning and swinging
- • Seeks deep pressure (hugs, weighted items)
- • Loud vocalizations
- • Constantly moving or fidgeting
- • Seeks strong flavors/textures
Assessment Focus:
- • Seeking patterns
- • Intensity preferences
- • Self-regulation effects
- • Safety considerations
- • Functional impact
Challenges interpreting and distinguishing between different sensory inputs.
Common Presentations:
- • Difficulty finding items by touch
- • Challenges with fine motor tasks
- • Poor body awareness
- • Difficulty with spatial relationships
- • Problems with motor planning
Assessment Focus:
- • Discrimination accuracy
- • Response time
- • Error patterns
- • Compensatory strategies
- • Functional implications
Professional Assessment Tools
Comprehensive sensory processing assessment requires multiple tools and approaches to capture the full picture of an individual's sensory functioning.
| Assessment Tool | Age Range | Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensory Profile-2 | Birth-Adult | Questionnaire | Comprehensive sensory patterns across settings |
| SIPT | 4-8 years | Performance | Gold standard for sensory integration testing |
| SPM-2 | 2-Adult | Questionnaire | Multi-environment sensory processing measure |
| SCSIT | 5-11 years | Performance | Clinical observations of sensory integration |
Initial Evaluation
- • Comprehensive history taking
- • Standardized questionnaires
- • Parent/caregiver interviews
- • Review of previous evaluations
- • Environmental factor assessment
Clinical Observations
- • Structured sensory tasks
- • Free play observations
- • Response to sensory input
- • Motor planning abilities
- • Self-regulation strategies
When to Seek Sensory Processing Assessment
Recognizing when sensory processing differences are impacting daily functioning is key to timely intervention.
- • Extreme reactions to sensory input
- • Delayed motor milestones
- • Feeding and eating difficulties
- • Sleep disturbances
- • Clothing or texture aversions
- • Difficulty with transitions
- • Academic performance issues
- • Playground or social difficulties
- • Handwriting challenges
- • Difficulty sitting still
- • Sensory-seeking behaviors
- • Emotional regulation problems
- • Workplace accommodation needs
- • Relationship difficulties
- • Chronic stress or anxiety
- • Environmental sensitivities
- • Self-regulation challenges
- • Quality of life impacts
Intervention Strategies
Effective sensory processing interventions are individualized and may include environmental modifications, sensory strategies, and skill-building approaches.
Home Environment
- • Lighting adjustments (dimmer switches)
- • Sound management (white noise, quiet spaces)
- • Texture considerations (bedding, clothing)
- • Organizational systems
- • Sensory tools and equipment
Work/School Environment
- • Seating accommodations
- • Break schedules
- • Noise-canceling headphones
- • Fidget tools
- • Movement opportunities
Calming Strategies
- • Deep pressure activities
- • Breathing exercises
- • Weighted items
- • Slow, rhythmic movements
Alerting Strategies
- • Quick movements
- • Cold sensations
- • Bright lights
- • Upbeat music
Organizing Strategies
- • Proprioceptive input
- • Heavy work activities
- • Resistance exercises
- • Joint compression
Understand Your Sensory Profile
Take our comprehensive neurodivergent assessment to explore sensory processing patterns and get personalized insights.