Comments on 'Validity of Sensory Systems as Distinct Constructs'

Chia-Ting Su and Diane Parham (2014) wrote an interesting article that appears in this month's American Journal of Occupational Therapy.  Their study involved use of confirmatory factor analysis to test constructs within sensory integration theory.  Results of their analysis have rather broad implications and raise many important questions.A highly popularized notion based on Dunn's (2001) Slagle lecture is that sensory processing can be identified as occurring within different systems where there might be over or under responsiveness to incoming stimuli.  Su and Parham applied data to this model and could not confirm that this conceptualization fit their data.  This in itself is a significant finding because it puts into question whether or not SOR/SUR models are the most appropriate way to explain problems with sensory processing.Also germane to this finding is the concern that tools like the Sensory Profile confound analysis by including questions about temperament that may not have much or anything to do with a distinct 'sensory processing' factor.  Su and Parham (2014) state, "the inclusion of items on the Sensory Profile that are highly sensitive to temperament is another plausible reason why the Sensory Profile factors differed from ESP factors in the current study." This is an issue that I have blogged about previously, particularly in context of the Shea and Wu (2013) article about children in the criminal justice system.  I stated This ...
Source: ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog - Category: Occupational Health Tags: OT practice sensory integration Source Type: blogs