Q. What are some of the tools used for evaluations?

Sensory History Questionnaire, by Jean Ayers
A parent or guardian questionnaire that aides in obtaining background information regarding pre-natal, birth and developmental history. This is reviewed to assist in providing a more comprehensive picture of the child’s preformance

Sensory Integration & Praxis Test (SIPT), by Jean Ayers

Sensory Profiles - Infant/Child/School/ Adolescent/ Adult, by Winnie Dunne
Through questionnaires we can link performance strengths and barriers of children and adults with sensory processing patterns
We use the Sensory Profiles to determine how well children process sensory information in everyday situations and to profile the sensory system's effect on functional performance. It contributes to a comprehensive picture of a child's performance. It is best used when combined with other evaluation data to create a complete picture of the child's status for diagnostic and intervention planning. i

DeGangi-Berk Test of Sensory Integration Kit, by Ronald Berk, Georgia DeGangi
Test of Sensory Integration (TSI) makes it easier to identify sensory integrative dysfunction in young children. Sensitive to even subtle developmental deficits, the TSI permits early detection of problems that could lead to learning difficulties if left untreated. (Ages: 3-5)

Peabody Test of Fine & Gross Motor Development, by M. Rhonda Folio & Rebecca R. Fewell
Measures: Reflexes, Stationary positions, Locomotion, Object Manipulation, Grasping and Visual Motor Integration.

Michigan

Baily's

Functional Evaluations, by Anne G. Fisher
Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS)

Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (B&O), by Robert H. Bruininks.PhD
This is a widely used standardized measure of fine motor and gross motor proficiency using engaging, goal-directed activities to measure a wide array of motor skills in individuals 4 through 21 years old

Quick Neurological Screening Test (QNST)
(Ages: 0-18)

Test of Auditory Reasoning & Processing Skills (Tarps), by Morrison F. Gardner
This is to measure the quality and quantity of an individual's auditory thinking and reasoning - the ability to draw conclusions, to make inferences and to apply and use judgement from what is auditorily perceived for individuals ages 5 through 14

Developmental Test of Visual Motor Integration, by Keith E. Beery
This is a reliable measure of an individual's ability to integrate visual and motor skills by copying or imitating a developmental sequence of geometric forms for indivduals 2 through 18 years old

Test of Handwriting Skills (THS), by Morrison F. Gardner

Developmental Test of Visual Perception, 2nd Ed (DTVP-2), by Hammill, Pearson and Voress This is a valid and reliable measure of a child's visual perceptual and visual motor abilities used 1 to 1 and groups for individuals 4 through 10 years old Gardner Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (GTVP) non-motor, by Morrison F. Gardner
This is a standardized measure of seven areas of visual perception for individuals 4 through 12.11 years old Jordan Left-Right Reversal Test, by Brian T Jordan, PhD
This is a valid measure of letter and number reversals in the area of visual receptive functioning for individuals 5 through 12 years old


Q. What is Sensory Integration (SI)?

Sensory Integration (SI) theory was developed in the 1960's by Dr A. Jean Ayres, who was an Occupational Therapist who pioneered in the field of learning disabilities. She stated that Sensory Integration is the individual's ability to organize information obtained by the senses so they can understand their own body and how to interact in the environment

The sensory information is processed by the central nervous system and used to help the body develop adequate muscle tone, spatial awareness and maintain a calm and alert state. Sensory Integration allows for body awareness and the ability to use it as a tool to interact within the world

Developmental Delays can occur because Sensory Integration Dysfunction affects the brain's ability to perceive or understand the sensory impulses. When this occurs, the individual can have difficulty completing tasks successfully and gaining proficiency with new skills We obtain sensory information through the following:

Play

Self-care

Work

Hand skills are divided into the following:

Reach

Grasp & Release

Carry

In-hand Manipulation

Bilateral

Q. What is Visual Perceptual Play?

Visual Perception is a two-fold process within the body. First, we obtain and organize visual information from our environment, and then we need to interpret and use what we see. Visual perceptual helps us recognize and identify shapes, objects, colors, helps us make accurate judgements about size, configuration and spatial relationships of objects.

Young or Old

How Many Blocks

Faces or Vases

Which Is Longer

The Face

Which Circle is Bigger

Q. What is Ocular Motor Play?

Our eyes are responsible for acuity or how clearly we can see. They also react to changes in light, adjusting as we move in and out of buildings, halls and classrooms. In order to scan our environments, our eyes need muscles to isolate eye movement from head movement (these are all the skills you are using right now to read this)

Q. What is Gross Motor Play?

Gross Motor Development is the body's ability to work toward an upright posture using the large muscles of the body. We require internal controls to protect and stabilize us in space which are referred to as our protective, righting and equilibrium responses. These responses develop and integrate during infancy and are necessary for moving in space

Motor planning or praxis is the ability to sequence and organize movements to perform novel or unfamiliar motor tasks in an efficient manner. A sense of the body awareness is an important foundation to know how to move your body in space

Rolling

Crawling

Sitting

Standing

Walking

Running

Jumping

Climbing