Patterns of sensory integration difficulties have been studied in the US since the 1970’s.  Many questions exist about if similar patterns exist in cultures and communities outside of the US, and studies are limited. Here is a summary of an important study conducted in South Africa.

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The purpose of the study was to investigate and describe the similarities and differences of patterns of SI dysfunction between children in South Africa and those in the US.

A quantitative, analytical study was conducted on a convenience sample of 223 children who were identified as experiencing sensory integration difficulties. The Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) were used as the measuring instrument and correlation and factor analyses were applied in order to describe similarities and differences. Consistencies in tests loading on patterns of Visuodyspraxia, Somatodyspraxia, Bilateral Integration and Sequencing dysfunctions and Tactile and Visual Discrimination dysfunctions were found.

This research confirmed similarities in the patterns of dysfunction in children in South Africa and confirmed the value of the SIPT in identifying sensory integration dysfunctions cross-culturally.