Which term describes Dunn's model in explaining how individuals respond to sensory input in daily occupations?

• A. Age-related Cognitive Decline
• B. Motor Learning
• C. Sensory Processing Patterns
• D. Visual Perception

Answer: (C)

Dunn's model describes how people respond to sensory input in daily activities through sensory processing patterns, which come from the interaction of neurological thresholds and self-regulation strategies. This framework explains why individuals might be sensory seeking, sensory avoiding, highly alert to sensory input (sensory sensitivity), or not notice sensory cues readily (low registration). Understanding these patterns helps occupational therapists predict how someone will engage in daily occupations and tailor environments or strategies to support participation.

The other terms don’t fit because they address different concepts: age-related cognitive decline focuses on cognitive changes with aging, motor learning is about acquiring new movement skills, and visual perception concerns processing visual information specifically rather than the broader pattern of how sensory input is organized into behavior across daily tasks.