Sensory Modulation Disorder and Behavior Symptoms

Child Psychiatry and Human Development published research on the role of sensory modulation deficits and behavioral symptoms in a diagnosis for young children.  Using clinical observation 78 toddlers were divided into two groups: 18 toddlers with regulation disorders of sensory processing and 60 toddlers with other diagnoses. The parents completed the Infant Toddler Sensory Profile and the Achenbach Checklist.  The results indicated the following:

• the group with regulation disorders of sensory processing exhibited more severe sensory modulation deficits and behavioral symptoms
• a strong association although not significant was seen between most sensory and behavioral symptoms
• more significant sensory modulation deficits were seen in the group with regulation disorders of sensory processing

The researchers concluded that the findings support the validity of a regulation disorders of sensory processing diagnosis. 

I only read the abstract for this study but am confused as to how this research was conducted.  The way I read it is that the researchers used clinical observation to “diagnose” a child with Regulation Disorders of Sensory Processing and then based on parental report checked if they were correct?  If that interpretation is accurate I am perplexed as to how this supports the validity of a sensory processing diagnosis.  Please someone enlighten me…

Reference:  Ruth Pérez-Robles, Eduardo Doval, Ma Claustre Jané, Pedro Caldeira da Silva, Ana Luisa Papoila, Daniel Virella. The Role of Sensory Modulation Deficits and Behavioral Symptoms in a Diagnosis for Early Childhood. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. June 2013, Volume 44, Issue 3, pp 400-411