The Test of Sensory Functions in Infants was developed to measure
the sensory integration behavior of infants aged 4–18 months in the following subdomains: reactivity to tactile deep pressure, adaptive
motor functions, visual-tactile integration, ocular-motor control, and reactivity
to vestibular stimulation. According to the authors test [21] the
selection of these five subdomains was based on studies that describe
the importance of standardizing tactile and vestibular functions for
the improvement of fine and grossmotor coordination and motor planning
skills. The instrument consists of 24 items which are divided into
five subdomains, and was specifically developed for administration by
occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists and infant
educators with training and experience in the interpretation of results
and the domain of sensory integration. According to the manual,
subdomain 5 (reactivity to vestibular stimulation) should be performed
by a parent so that there is no interference in the response. The scoring
method uses two score forms, which show the score of each item. Each
form has a brief explanation of the assessment method and the summing
of items of each domain and the total score. Scores were assigned
so that the indices of each subdomain could be calculated to provide diagnostic
information in the area where sensory processing shows a
delay in child development, with validity and reliability guaranteed
[21]. Assessment takes approximately 20 min and the total score for
all domains provides a gross index of delay or normality (deficient, a trisk,
and normal) for each age group for screening purposes [22].
Therefore, TSFI provides information that allows determination of the
extent of a child's sensory deficits.