Abstract
This longitudinal study supports the role of OT in improving childhood sensorimotor challenges as a factor that may affect adult quality of life. It contributes to our knowledge of the long-term outcomes of childhood sensorimotor challenges.
Primary Author and Speaker: Teresa A. May-Benson
Additional Authors and Speakers: Olivia Easterbrooks-Dick
Contributing Authors: Alison Teasdale
Quality of life (QoL) is a primary indicator of overall health and wellness. No studies have examined the relationship of childhood sensori-motor challenges to quality of life in adulthood. This information is important for prognosis of care. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between childhood and adult sensory processing and adult quality of life. A descriptive longitudinal follow-up design used a convenience sample of 53 adults (M = 26.9, SD = 5.5 years) who received sensory integration-based occupational therapy services as children at a large private clinic. They completed the Adult Adolescent Sensory History and the WHO-QoL. A clinic-based sensory history was retrieved, with permission, from their childhood clinical records. MANCOVA found Total childhood sensori-motor scores had a small relationship to Physical Health QoL as adults that approached significance. Pearson Correlations found adults with childhood sensori-motor challenges who report sensori-motor challenges as adults had a moderate relationship among overall adult sensori-motor functioning and Physical Health (p = 0.018). Adults who report typical sensori-motor scores, despite childhood sensori-motor challenges, had a good QoL. Sensory discrimination also impacted adult QoL. In summary, childhood sensori-motor challenges have no relationship to adult QoL when challenges are resolved by adulthood. Adults whose early sensori-motor challenges persist have moderate relations among adult sensori-motor functions and adult QoL in areas of Physical Health. Findings highlight the importance of remediating childhood sensori-motor challenges to support adult physical health and QoL. Occupational therapists working with children with sensori-motor challenges are uniquely positioned to provide childhood intervention services which may promote improved QoL for those children in adulthood. Findings support policies which encourage reimbursement for childhood OT intervention services.
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