Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
P50 Sensory Gating in Infants
Published on: December 26, 2013
Toward Early Identification of Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR): A Construct for Predicting Difficulties With Sleep
Insights
This study identified key pre- and perinatal factors predicting infant sleep/feeding difficulties, offering early identification for sensory over-responsivity (SOR). These findings aid therapists in recognizing potential SOR indicators in infants.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Occupational Therapy
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Sensory over-responsivity (SOR) involves heightened sensitivity to non-noxious stimuli, impacting daily functioning.
- Infants with sleep/feeding difficulties may represent early indicators of later SOR development.
- Early identification of SOR is crucial for timely intervention and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the construct validity and internal reliability of pre- and perinatal factors predicting infant sleep/feeding difficulties.
- To identify a reliable set of predictors for early identification of potential SOR.
- To provide evidence supporting the use of pre- and perinatal data in clinical practice.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection from 360 mother-infant dyads on 38 pre- and perinatal variables.
- Linking collected data with infant referrals for sleep/feeding difficulties.
- Rasch analysis to assess the unidimensionality of the identified construct.
Main Results:
- A significant construct comprising 18 of the 38 examined pre- and perinatal variables was identified.
- This construct demonstrated good evidence for validity and reliability.
- The findings support the predictive value of specific pre- and perinatal factors for infant sleep/feeding issues.
Conclusions:
- The identified construct offers a promising step toward the early identification of sensory over-responsivity (SOR) in infants.
- Pre- and perinatal information can serve as valuable predictors for infant sleep/feeding difficulties.
- These results empower therapists with evidence-based tools for early SOR detection.
Abstract:
Sensory over-responsivity (SOR) is a type of sensory modulation disorder in which heightened sensitivity to non-noxious sensations interrupts daily life. In this preliminary study within a larger investigation, we used infants with sleep/feeding difficulties as a proxy for later development of SOR. We tested evidence for construct validity and internal reliability of preand perinatal factors that, together, could predict infant sleep/feeding difficulties. We obtained retrospective data on 360 mother-infant dyads on 38 pre- and perinatal variables and linked the data with infant referral for sleep/feeding difficulties. We analyzed the data with Rasch analysis to examine evidence for a unidimensional construct. Our results show good evidence for a construct comprising 18 of the 38 pre- and perinatal variables examined. This construct may represent a step toward early identification of SOR and provide therapists with evidence to support the use of pre- and perinatal information as predictors of infant sleep/feeding difficulties.
