Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration® (EASI) Tactile Perception Tests: Construct Validity and Internal Reliability

Roseann C Schaaf; Kelly Auld Wright; Zoe Mailloux; Patricia Grady; L Diane Parham; Susanne Smith Roley; Anita Bundy

doi:10.5014/ajot.2023.050053

Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration® (EASI) Tactile Perception Tests: Construct Validity and Internal Reliability

Am J Occup Ther. 2023 Jan 1;77(1):7701205050. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2023.050053.

Authors

Roseann C Schaaf¹, Kelly Auld Wright², Zoe Mailloux³, Patricia Grady⁴, L Diane Parham⁵, Susanne Smith Roley⁶, Anita Bundy⁷

Affiliations

¹ Roseann C. Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Director, Jefferson Autism Center of Excellence, and Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA; roseann.schaaf@jefferson.edu.
² Kelly Auld-Wright, OTD, OTR/L, is Private Practice Owner and Instructor, Collaborative in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI), Upland, CA.
³ Zoe Mailloux, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA.
⁴ Patricia Grady, PhD, OTR/L, is Lecturer and Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
⁵ L. Diane Parham, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor Emerita, Occupational Therapy Graduate Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
⁶ Susanne Smith Roley, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Cofounder, Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI), Aliso Viejo, CA.
⁷ Anita Bundy, ScD, OT/L, FAOTA, FOTARA, is Professor and Department Head, Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

PMID: 36779979
DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2023.050053

Abstract

Importance: Assessment of tactile perception is foundational for addressing aspects of occupational performance.

Objective: To evaluate the construct validity and internal reliability of four new tactile perception tests.

Design: Causal comparative groups design.

Settings: Homes, schools, and therapy practices across the United States.

Participants: Children ages 3 to 12 yr: typically developing (n = 174) and those with sensory integration concerns (n = 153).

Outcomes and measures: Rasch analyses to evaluate construct validity; analysis of covariance to evaluate group differences.

Results: The Rasch model confirmed evidence of construct validity for each of the four tests. The typically developing group scored significantly higher than the clinical group on all tests (η2p = .040-.105, p < .001). Person reliability indices and strata indicated moderate to strong internal reliability (Rasch person reliability indices = .69-.87; strata = 2.33-3.82).

Conclusions and relevance: The Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration® (EASI) Tactile Perception Tests are reliable and valid measures for assessing tactile perception in children ages 3 to 12 yr. Findings suggest that these tests are likely to be clinically useful and appropriate for children in this age range and may provide critical information regarding underlying sensory functions necessary for optimal occupational performance. What This Article Adds: This article provides data supporting the reliability and validity of the EASI Tactile Perception Tests in a U.S.

Sample: These assessments can be used by therapists trained in their administration to assess tactile functions that may affect participation in activities, tasks, and occupations.

MeSH terms

Child
Child, Preschool
Humans
Occupational Therapy*
Reproducibility of Results
Touch
Touch Perception*