AOTA Patient Assessment & Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which standardized assessment is specifically designed to measure tactile discrimination and vestibular-proprioceptive processing in children ages 4–8?
- Sensory Processing Measure (SPM)
- Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT)
- DeGangi-Berk Test of Sensory Integration (Correct answer)
- Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency
Correct answer: DeGangi-Berk Test of Sensory Integration
The DeGangi-Berk Test of Sensory Integration was developed for children ages 3–5 and assesses vestibular-proprioceptive and tactile discrimination processing.
Question 2: During a clinical observation in sensory integration evaluation, a child who seeks excessive spinning and does not become dizzy may indicate dysfunction in which system?
- Auditory processing
- Proprioceptive system
- Vestibular system (Correct answer)
- Tactile system
Correct answer: Vestibular system
Lack of dizziness after spinning suggests underresponsivity of the vestibular system, a classic sign in sensory integration dysfunction.
Question 3: When interpreting SIPT scores, a standard score of -1.0 or below typically indicates:
- Average performance
- Above-average sensory processing
- Performance that is borderline or deficient (Correct answer)
- Ceiling effect on the measure
Correct answer: Performance that is borderline or deficient
On the SIPT, standard scores at or below -1.0 suggest borderline to deficient performance, indicating possible sensory integration dysfunction.
Question 4: A therapist uses the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM) as part of assessment. Which of the following best describes this tool?
- A direct performance test that measures praxis and balance
- A caregiver/teacher questionnaire measuring sensory processing and social participation (Correct answer)
- An observational tool completed only by the OT during a standardized play session
- A physiological measure of autonomic nervous system responses
Correct answer: A caregiver/teacher questionnaire measuring sensory processing and social participation
The SPM is a norm-referenced questionnaire completed by caregivers and teachers that evaluates sensory processing across school, home, and community environments.
Question 5: Which clinical observation task is most useful for assessing postural ocular movement disorder during a sensory integration evaluation?
- Ball catch from a standing position
- Scooter board prone extension against gravity (Correct answer)
- Finger-to-nose test with eyes closed
- Threading beads on a string
Correct answer: Scooter board prone extension against gravity
Prone extension on a scooter board assesses the ability to assume and maintain an extensor posture against gravity, reflecting vestibular and proprioceptive processing.
Question 6: A child consistently avoids light touch, becomes distressed when touched unexpectedly, and refuses certain clothing textures. This pattern most likely reflects:
- Sensory modulation disorder — tactile overresponsivity (Correct answer)
- Somatodyspraxia
- Bilateral integration and sequencing deficit
- Vestibular hyporesponsivity
Correct answer: Sensory modulation disorder — tactile overresponsivity
Avoidance of light touch, distress to unexpected touch, and clothing sensitivity are hallmark signs of tactile overresponsivity, a type of sensory modulation disorder.
Question 7: During the assessment interview, a parent reports that their child loves jumping on furniture, crashes into walls, and always seeks heavy physical activity. This behavior pattern is most consistent with:
- Tactile defensiveness
- Proprioceptive underresponsivity (sensory seeking) (Correct answer)
- Auditory overresponsivity
- Vestibular overresponsivity
Correct answer: Proprioceptive underresponsivity (sensory seeking)
Crashing, jumping, and heavy physical activity seeking are classic signs of proprioceptive underresponsivity, where the child seeks more intense input to register body position.
AOTA Patient Assessment & Evaluation 2
Which standardized assessment is specifically designed to measure tactile discrimination and vestibular-proprioceptive processing in children ages 4–8?