M.Sc.(Occupational Therapy), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Title: The agreement found between the sensory profiles of children 3-10 years and their parents Author: Elsje Geyser Promoter: Denise Franszen School: Therapeutic Sciences Faculty: Health Sciences Degree: MSc.OT Key Concepts: Sensory modulation dysfunction, sensory processing disorder, high threshold, low threshold, sensory profile, low registration behaviour, sensory seeking behaviour, sensory sensitive behaviour, sensation avoiding behaviour. In order to treat a child with sensory modulation disorder (SMD), the impact of SMD on the child’s occupational sphere should be taken into account. This includes the effect of SMD in the parent on the child’s development and behaviour. This study determined the probability of agreement between the parent and child’s sensory profiles. A quantitative, cross sectional study design established the sensory profiles of 81 children and their parents. Results indicated a moderate probability that a child with SMD may have a parent with SMD. A moderate to high probability existed for a parent with SMD to have a child with SMD. This supports the supposition that there is a hereditary component to SMD, with learned sedentary behavioural patterns. The treatment implications include considering the parent’s reaction to their own sensory thresholds and the influence this has on the child’s treatment and learnt behaviour.