The relationship between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity in children aged four years through eight years

Abstract

Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Modulation Dysfunction are Sensory Integration Disorders that are widely known to occupational therapists practicing in the paediatric occupational therapy field. These disorders have been the subject of numerous research studies that have managed to clarify and explain relations of these disorders with sensory processing as well as their prevalence in different diagnostic groups. Such a clarified relationship is between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Discrimination, while Sensory Modulation Dysfunction is reported to occur in various diagnostic groups. Developments over the past decade in the field of Sensory Integration proposed that Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Modulation Dysfunction be regarded as two patterns of a Sensory Processing Disorder and suggested that these two disorder patterns occurred concomitantly. Clinical experience, however, resulted in the researcher questioning the above proposed concomitant relationship and hypothesised that there was a specific relation between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity (Sensory Modulation Dysfunction). This study was directed at investigating the relationship between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. A review of the literature that described these two disorder patterns yielded reference to theories that underpin Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. From these theories it was possible to identify some common ground between Developmental dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity that could potentially support a relation. The Sensory Profile, Sensory Profile School Companion and the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests were used to assess and identify Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity. Obtained data were statistically analysed and compared and did not produce a statistically significant positive relation between Developmental Dyspraxia and Sensory Responsivity, but yielded some weak correlations in supplementary analysis. These weak correlations have value in terms of sensory responsiveness tendencies in the presence of types of dyspraxia. Clinical analyses of the data set were performed to examine the incidence of types of dyspraxia in the sample with sensory over- or under responsiveness. These analyses demonstrated a greater presence of Developmental Dyspraxia in the population with Sensory Under-responsivity. The clinical analyses provided the researcher with additional information that was taken into account when conclusions were made. It also contributed to the recommendations that were made at the end of Chapter 5. Discussion of results was directed at explaining correlations and interpreting the implications of those correlations. A discussion of possible problems included considering possible flaws in the method and procedure that could have contributed to the research outcome. Recommendations were directed at proposals for future research and recommendations for clinical practice. Copyright