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ABSTRACT
This article will demonstrate the importance of evaluating sensory processing as part of the occupational therapy process when working with clients in mental health practice. In particular, the article will introduce assessment tools and clinical observations that may help in exploring sensory discrimination, with a secondary emphasis on sensory modulation and praxis.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this article, you should be able to:
1. Recognize the importance of evaluating sensory processing in mental health occupational therapy practice.
2. Differentiate among the sensory processing disorders.
3. Identify a variety of evaluation tools that help assess sensory processing patterns with clients of different age ranges.
INTRODUCTION
Ayres' sensory integration (ASI®) approach has been employed in occupational therapy practice for many years (Ayres, 1972, 1979). Modifications to ASI and its use with people with mental health conditions was introduced by Lorna Jean King (King, 1974). The use and modification of ASI principles for application within mental health practice has grown exponentially over the past decade (Champagne & Stromberg, 2004; LeBel & Champagne, 2010). This growth is due in part to the national and international mental health initiatives promoting the use of sensory approaches in mental health practice (National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors [NASMHPD], 2009; Sutton & Nicholson, 2011). These national initiatives include the trauma-informed care, seclusion and restraint reduction, and recovery movements (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003a, 2003b; NASMHPD, 2009).
In addition, there has been a rise in research on sensory processing problems in people with mental health symptoms and conditions and sensory processing's effect on occupational performance. Research demonstrates that although sensory processing problems are often evident without the presence of other mental health conditions, they may be a result of or contribute to some mental health symptoms and conditions, such as trauma and attachment disorders, schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, pain catastrophizing, and learning disabilities (Brown, Cromwell, Filion, Dunn, & Tollefson, 2002; Butler et al., 2009; Canbeyli, 2010; Engel-Yegar & Dunn, 2011; Hoffman & Bitran, 2007; Lane, Reynolds, & Thacker, 2010; van der Kolk, 1994; Van Hulle, Schmidt, & Goldsmith, 2011; Yeap, Kelly, Reilly, Thakore, & Foxe, 2009). The comorbidity of sensory processing disorder (SPD) and mental health conditions was demonstrated in a recent study by Carter, Ben-Sasson,...