Motivation Assessment Scale ~ Sensory Processing Disorder

Instructions: The Motivation Assessment Scale is a questionnaire designed to identify those situations in which an individual is likely to behave in certain ways. From this information, more informed decisions can be made concerning the selection of appropriate reinforcers and treatments. To complete The Motivations Assessment Scale, please select one behaviour that is of particular interest. It is important that you identify the behaviour very specifically. Aggressive, for example, is not a good description as hits his sister. Once you have specified the behaviour to be rated, read each question carefully and tick the one number that best describes your observations of this behaviour.

Answers are:
Never - 0
Almost Never - 1
Seldom - 2
Half the time - 3
Usually - 4
Almost Always - 5
Always - 6

Questions:
1. Would the behaviour occur continuously, over and over, if this person was left alone for long periods of time? (for example several hours)
2. Does the behaviour occur following a request to perform a difficult task?
3. Does the behaviour seem to occur in response to your talking to other persons in the room?
4. Does the behaviour ever occur to get a toy, food or activity that this person has been told that he or she can’t have?
5. Would the behaviour occur repeatedly, in the same way, for very long periods of time, if no-one was around? (for example rocking back and forth for over an hour)
6. Does the behaviour occur when any request is made of this person?
7. Does the behaviour occur when you stop attending to this person?
8. Does the behaviour occur when you take away a favourite toy, food or activity?
9. Does it appear to you that tis person enjoys performing the behaviour? (it feels, tastes, looks, smells and/or sounds pleasing)
10. Does this person seem to do the behaviour to upset or annoy you when you are trying to get him or her to do what you ask?
11. Does this person seem to do the behaviour to upset or annoy you when you are not paying attention to him or her? (for example, if you are sitting in a separate room, interacting with another person)
12. Does the behaviour stop occurring shortly after you give the person the toy. Food or activity he or she has requested?
13. When the behaviour is occurring, does this person seem calm and unaware of anything else going on around him or her?
14. Does the behaviour stop occurring shortly after (one-five minutes) you stop working or making demands of this person?
15. Does this person seem to do the behaviour to get you to spend some time with him or her?
16. Does the behaviour seem to occur when this person has been told that he or she can’t do something he or she had wanted to do?

Now add the number score for each question
Sensory: 1, 5, 9 & 13
Escape: 2, 6, 10 & 14
Attention: 3, 7, 11 & 15
Tangible: 4, 8, 12 & 16

Which ever section scores the highest, explains the behaviour for what the person is looking for.