Should my child have a Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2) assessment?

If your child seems easily overwhelmed by noise, touch or movement — or hardly notices things others do — a Sensory Profile 2 can help you understand why.

In short

The Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2) is a well-validated, questionnaire-based assessment that maps how your child takes in and responds to everyday sensory information — sounds, textures, movement, sights and tastes. It isn't a pass-or-fail test or a diagnosis; it's a structured way for you and a clinician to understand your child's sensory patterns and how they shape daily life. Whether your child should have one depends on whether sensory responses are getting in the way of play, learning, sleep, mealtimes or comfort — which a clinician will help you decide.

What the SP-2 involves

The SP-2 is mostly something you complete, with the clinician guiding interpretation:

• You fill in a questionnaire. As the parent or caregiver, you answer questions about how your child usually reacts in everyday situations — covering touch, movement, body position, hearing, vision, taste and smell. There are forms tailored to different age bands (from infancy through school age), and a separate version teachers can complete.
• It looks at four patterns. The SP-2 describes tendencies such as seeking more sensory input, avoiding it, being highly sensitive, or being a quiet bystander who registers less. Most children show a mix — the point is to see your child's individual blend.
• A clinician interprets it. An occupational therapist combines the scores with what they observe and what you describe, so the result is meaning, not just numbers.
• It guides practical strategies. The findings shape small, doable changes at home and school — and, where helpful, a therapy plan.

Think of it as a map of how your child experiences the world, so daily routines can be adjusted to suit them rather than against them.

When it's worth doing

A SP-2 is often helpful if your child covers their ears at ordinary sounds, dislikes certain clothing textures or food textures, seeks constant movement or crashing, struggles to settle or sleep, or seems under-responsive and slow to notice things around them. It's also commonly used alongside broader developmental assessment. Your clinician will advise whether it's the right step now.

The Pinnacle way

A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under the care of a qualified clinician — never from a questionnaire or online figure alone. Our AbilityScore® is a clinician-administered structured assessment that measures your child against their own baseline, so a tool like the SP-2 becomes part of a clear, re-measurable picture rather than a one-off label. Backed by 2.5 billion+ data points and 25 million+ therapy sessions across 70+ centres, our therapists turn sensory findings into practical occupational therapy you can use at the centre and at home. You can read how our measure works here: what the AbilityScore is and how it's calculated.

Trusted sources

AOTA/ASHA-aligned guidance on sensory processing and occupational therapy assessment; AAP (HealthyChildren) guidance on developmental and behavioural concerns; WHO framework for child functioning and participation.

Next step — Wondering if a SP-2 fits your child? Book an assessment with a Pinnacle occupational therapist and get clear, practical next steps.

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.