Psychometric Properties of the Sensory Processing Measure Preschool-Home among Saudi Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Pilot Study

ABSTRACT

Aims: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder associated with intellectual, communicative, and social deficits. Moreover, 42 to 88% of people with ASD present with sensory processing disorders (SPDs) that impact daily functioning. It is, therefore, essential to be able to accurately assess the sensory processing difficulties of those with ASD. Currently, however, there is no assessment tool available for the Saudi Arabia (SA) population that covers a wide enough age range. Therefore, this study assessed the psychometric properties of the Sensory Processing Measure–Preschool Home Form (SPM-P-Home) when used in English with a population of English-speaking Saudi participants.

Methods: Using a convenience sampling approach, caregivers of typically developing (TD) children and caregivers of children with ASD were recruited (n = 40 and n = 16, respectively), and completed the SPM-P-Home. Participants were also invited to complete it again after two weeks in order to assess test–retest reliability, and, respectively, nine and five agreed.

Results: Analyses suggested that the measure had good internal consistency, structural validity, test–retest reliability, and construct validity.

Conclusion: Until an Arabic version of the SPM-P-Home is available, the English version represents a useful tool for understanding the sensory processing difficulties of ASD Saudi children with English-speaking caregivers.

KEYWORDS:

• Autism
• ASD
• assessment
• reliability
• sensory processing dysfunction
• validity