In evaluating a child with processing difficulties, what sensory processing skill should the occupational therapist assess?

In evaluating a child with processing difficulties, it is essential to assess proprioception because it plays a crucial role in how children understand their body in space and how they interact with their environment. Proprioception is the sensory input that comes from receptors located in muscles, tendons, and joints, providing information about body position, movement, and force needed for tasks.

Children with processing difficulties often exhibit challenges in modulating their responses to sensory information, which can affect their motor planning and execution. By assessing proprioception, the occupational therapist can determine whether the child has difficulty knowing where their body parts are and how to coordinate movements effectively. This can help identify specific interventions tailored to improve the child's functionality, self-regulation, and participation in daily activities.

While visual perception, auditory processing, and vestibular response are also important sensory skills, they may not address the specific coordination and body awareness issues that proprioception targets. Each of these other skills can contribute to a child’s overall processing abilities, but focusing on proprioception often yields practical insights that can directly inform therapeutic strategies.