The evaluation of sensory processing: a validity study using contrasting groups

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a sensory history questionnaire using contrasting groups. Specifically, the goal was to identify items on the Evaluation of Sensory Processing that differentiate between parent ratings of children with sensory integrative dysfunction and parent ratings of typically developing children. Data were collected from 30 parents of children with sensory integrative dysfunction and 59 parents of typically developing children. Items were analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed rank test to detect the difference between the parent ratings for the 30 children with sensory integrative dysfunction and 30 of the typically developing children who were matched to the dysfunctional children on age, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, and socioeconomic status. Eighty-four of the 200 items significantly (p < .05) distinguished between parents' ratings of children with and without sensory integrative dysfunction.