Sensory Profile 2
SP-2 vs the AbilityScore® developmental assessment
The Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2) is a focused questionnaire mapping how a child responds to sensory experiences, while the AbilityScore® is a broader clinician-administered structured assessment across many developmental areas. They are complementary, not competing: the SP-2 zooms in on sensory patterns, the AbilityScore® gives the wider picture and personalised baseline, and clinicians often use them together. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
Wondering whether the Sensory Profile 2 and the AbilityScore® tell you the same thing about your child? They answer two different — and complementary — questions.
In short
The Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2) is a focused questionnaire that maps how your child responds to everyday sensory experiences — sound, touch, movement, sights and textures. The AbilityScore® is a broader, clinician-administered structured assessment that looks across many areas of your child's development to set a personalised baseline and plan. They are not rivals: the SP-2 zooms in on sensory patterns, while the AbilityScore® gives the wider developmental picture, and the two are often used together.How the two compare
Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2)- A standardised caregiver-and-teacher questionnaire, commonly used by occupational therapists.
- Focuses specifically on sensory processing — how your child seeks, avoids, registers or is sensitive to sensory input.
- Helps explain behaviours like covering ears at loud sounds, disliking certain food textures, or constant movement.
- Gives a snapshot of sensory patterns in daily settings such as home and nursery.
AbilityScore®
- A clinician-administered structured assessment used across Pinnacle Blooms Network.
- Looks across developmental domains — communication, motor, social-emotional, play, daily living and more — not sensory alone.
- Measures your child against their own baseline, so progress can be tracked over time.
- Turns observation into a practical, individualised therapy plan.
The simplest way to think of it: the SP-2 is a detailed lens on one domain (sensory); the AbilityScore® is the wide-angle view that places sensory findings alongside everything else. A clinician may use SP-2 results within the broader AbilityScore®-informed picture to shape, for example, an occupational therapy plan.
When each helps
If your main concern is sensory — meltdowns at busy places, fussiness with clothing or food, seeking lots of spinning or crashing — the SP-2 adds valuable depth. If you're seeking an overall understanding of where your child is across development and what support would help most, the AbilityScore® is the natural starting point, with the SP-2 layered in where useful.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 an online form or a single questionnaire. Our AbilityScore® is a clinician-administered structured assessment, drawing on 2.5 billion+ data points and 25 million+ therapy sessions across 70+ centres, so your child's plan is built around their baseline. Learn how the measure works: what the AbilityScore is and how it's calculated.Trusted sources
AOTA/ASHA-aligned guidance on sensory processing and standardised developmental assessment; CDC and HealthyChildren (AAP) resources on developmental monitoring and milestones; WHO framework on child development and functioning.Next step — Get the full picture for your child. Book an AbilityScore assessment with a Pinnacle clinician, who can advise whether an SP-2 adds useful detail.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Consider a sensory-focused look like the SP-2 if your child often covers their ears at loud sounds, dislikes certain textures or clothing, avoids busy places, or constantly seeks movement such as spinning and crashing. For a broader understanding of development overall, an AbilityScore® assessment is the natural starting point.
Try this at home
Keep a short note of what sets your child off and what soothes them — the time of day, the place, the sound or texture. These everyday patterns are exactly what both a sensory questionnaire and a clinician find most useful.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
Is the SP-2 the same as the AbilityScore?
No. The Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2) is a focused questionnaire about sensory processing, while the AbilityScore® is a broader clinician-administered structured assessment across many areas of development. They measure different things and are often used together.
Can my child have both an SP-2 and an AbilityScore?
Yes — they complement each other. A clinician may use SP-2 results to add sensory detail within the wider AbilityScore®-informed picture, helping shape an individualised plan such as occupational therapy.
Which one should I start with?
If your concerns are mainly sensory, the SP-2 adds helpful depth. For an overall understanding of where your child is across development, the AbilityScore® is the natural starting point. A Pinnacle clinician can advise what's best for your child.
Does the SP-2 give a diagnosis?
No. The SP-2 describes sensory patterns; it is not a diagnosis. Any diagnosis and a clinical AbilityScore® are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.