Development, Reliability and Validity of the Sensory Adventure Measure (SAM)

This study examined the reliability and validity of the Sensory Adventure Measure (SAM), a clinical evaluative measure, for directly assessing sensory modulation in children via therapists and children's self-report. The study sample comprised 87 children ranging in age from 4 to 6 years divided into two groups: study (N=63) and control (N=24). The SAM yields three total categorical scales. Scale I is the Number of Atypical Responses (SAMR) determined by the evaluator based on the child’s response to the sensory stimulus for each item. Scale II is Therapist Rating of Magnitude (SAMP) which refers to the intensity of the child’s response to the sensory stimulus as scored by therapists on a five-point Likert scale. Scale III is Child Rating of Magnitude (SAMC) which refers to the child’s self-report of the extent of pleasant/unpleasant feelings evoked by the stimuli on a four-point scale.