Degree Date

6-2026

Document Type

Dissertation - NLU Access

Degree Name

Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Academic Discipline

Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Horvath

Second Advisor

Laura Zuniga

Abstract

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a condition marked by a consistent inability to integrate and process information received from the senses. This disorder, which affects between 5% and 16% of school-aged children, most commonly manifests as either under- or over-responsivity to sensory stimuli, but may also present with other atypical sensory behaviors. Children with SPD may struggle with nearly all aspects of daily living, having poorer social problem solving, reduced empathic concern, difficulty reading social cues, and atypical behaviors ranging from mild disruptions in self-regulation to severe behavioral problems, all of which may persist across the lifespan. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to identify potential relationships between sensory processing challenges and various social and behavioral outcomes in children. Patient data from an occupational therapy center focusing on children’s social and behavioral histories as reported by their parents, alongside scores from the Sensory Processing Measure, were analyzed to answer the following research questions: Does age affect the severity of Sensory Processing Total (SPT) scores? Do children between the ages of 2 and 17 years with high SPT scores have difficulty with social participation? Do those with sensory processing difficulties also have sleep wakings? Simple linear and binary logistic regression modeling indicated age and SPT did not have a statistically significant relationship; however, SPT significantly predicted difficulty with social participation (R2 = .37, p < .001). Finally, SPT did not predict sleep wakings. Understanding the dynamics between socialization and sensory processing can help to refine the diagnostic procedures for SPD, enabling children with the condition to receive tailored supports to mitigate the challenges associated with the condition, leading to better, more responsive treatment.

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Available for download on Friday, February 09, 2029

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