ABSTRACT

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a sensory processing evaluation tool for children based on their home environment. Methods: The steps in the development of the tool were as follows: 1) Studies were reviewed to determine the relevant environment areas and sensory items. 2) To select the preliminary items, a survey was administered to an expert panel using the Delphi method. 3) The level of understanding among the parents was assessed. Results: The results of the data collection and Delphi survey showed a total of 6 areas, and 80 items were selected for inclusion in the sensory processing evaluation tool: a common area (12 items), living room (7 items), kitchen (15 items), bedroom (16 items), bathroom (19 items), and the entrance (11 items). Finally, the average content validity ration of the Delphi survey results was .95; the consensus, .85; and the stability, .11, which are regarded as high scores. Conclusion: As the significance of this study, a tool was developed for evaluating the sensory processing in children that considers the special sensory environment characteristics of Korean homes. Therefore, it is expected that the sensory processing evaluation tool developed in this study will be used in the delivery of effective occupational therapy interventions based on the environmental sensibility factors of sensory processing in children.