THE EFFECTS OF SENSORY PROCESSING AND BEHAVIOR OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN ON PARENT PARTICIPATION: A CORRELATION STUDY

Therapists treat an increasing number of children with sensory processing differences and behavioral concerns however there is little information on how these issues affect parent ability to participate. Occupational... [ view full abstract ]

Therapists treat an increasing number of children with sensory processing differences and behavioral concerns however there is little information on how these issues affect parent ability to participate. Occupational therapists use a family-centered model focusing on health and wellbeing of all family members. . Therefore, understanding how toddlers' sensory processing and maladaptive behaviors affect parent participation is needed for effective assessment, intervention, and research. This study examined the frequency of sensory processing presentations and maladaptive behaviors of toddlers with various developmental delays. Data were correlated with their parents’ perspective on ability to participate in their own occupations. Analyses were done using three parent questionnaires: The Life Participation For Parents (LPP, Fingerhut, 2005); The Infant Toddler Sensory Profile (ITSP, Dunn & Daniels, 2002); and, The Child Behavior Checklist 1.5-5 (CBCL 1.5-5, Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000). Weak inverse relationships were found between Anxious/Depressed, Sleep Problems, and Aggressive Behavior problems in children. The more parents reported these behaviors and sensory differences, the less they perceived that they were able to participate in their own occupations. Predictability of the variables on parent participation were explored via regression analyses. No predictive relationship between these constructs were found. Frequency data on the ITSP revealed significant numbers of children scored in the Definite Difference "more than others" categories in the areas of: Low Registration (86%), Sensory Sensitivity (65%); and Sensation Avoiding (74%) on the ITSP. Frequencies of behaviors warranting clinical intervention noted on the CBCL 1.5-5 included Attention (55%) and Withdrawn (48%). Clinical implications are discussed.