ASSESSMENT OF SENSORY INTEGRATIVE FUNCTION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN In Egypt

ABSTRACT In elementary school children, the normally developed integrative function may be affected influencing the learning process, peer relationships, social interactions, and behaviors. This study was conducted to assess sensory integrative function in elementary school children in Egypt. Five hundred and twenty-three elementary school children without any neurological or developmental problems, ages from 5 to 10 years of both sexes, participated in this study. They were selected from different elementary schools in Giza, Egypt. Sensory integrative function was assessed by the sensory profile caregiver questionnaire. The findings revealed that, in the registration quadrant, 210 (40.2%) children were in the typical performance range. While in the seeking quadrant, 168 (32.1%) children were in typical performance range. Also, in the sensitivity quadrant, there were 267 (51.1%) in the typical performance range. Finally, in the avoiding quadrant, there were 303 (57.9%) in typical performance range. In all sections and quadrants, the scores of Egyptian children were lower than the scores of the American children except for the visual processing section which was higher. There was a statistically significant decrease in all sections and quadrants of the sensory profile in Egyptian and the American children except for the visual processing section which was significantly higher. However, all the sections and quadrants are considered to be within the typical performance range except for the visual processing section, the vestibular processing section, the modulation of visual input affecting emotional responses and activity level section, emotional/ social responses section, registration quadrant, and seeking quadrant, which may be due to social or environmental differences. Therefore, further studies with a national representative sample and with specific disability groups are needed to further validate the clinical use of the Sensory Profile in Egypt.