Full Course Description

Sensory Integration: Assessing and Treating Kids When Formal Testing Isn't Possible

Many of the children we work with are unable to take tests which require a good attention span and the ability to follow directions. These children may have ADD, ADHD or ASD. However, we need to be able to identify those deficits which are interfering with their ability to learn at school, participate in family activities and promote friendships.

Today you will expand your knowledge of sensory processing activities, and enhance your effectiveness to work with these children!

You will learn to identify which deficits have a sensory integration foundation, and thus be able to use treatment techniques to improve the quality of life for the kids you work with every day! In this workshop, I will teach you: how to identify behaviors which are sensory, determine underlying sensory systems which may be contributing to these behaviors, plan treatment strategies to help them more fully participate in school, community and home activities, and practice documenting your services.

Program Information

Objectives

Chart the characteristics of sensory modulation, sensory-based motor and sensory discrimination disorders.
Choose questions for parent interviews which will help you distinguish the presence and type of sensory processing disorder.
Discriminate between the 3 major sensory systems in order to apply the appropriate sensory experience for the children.
Assess the primary characteristics of Ayres SI and contrast those with other sensory-based interventions.
Propose appropriate treatment goals based on analysis of deficits.
Produce appropriate treatment activities and equipment which will improve sensory processing.
Plan sensory-based intervention strategies for parents and teachers.
Measure progress to justify third party reimbursement.

Outline

Neurological Foundations of Sensory Integration

Primary sensory systems in SI
Receptors, neurological tracts and brain locations of sensory systems
How is each system stimulated?
Types of sensory integration dysfunction associated with each system

Clinical Observation and Interviews for Assessment

Analyze case studies using a sensory integration frame of reference vs developmental or motor
Distinguish between sensory-based and nonsensory-based behaviors
Clustering observations of behavior into sensory processing categories

Develop Interview Questions

Formulate questions for parents/teachers to gain sensory information
Formulate questions related to participation in everyday life
Clustering responses into “diagnostic groups”

Documentation for Maximum Reimbursement and Access to Services

Write goals and objectives which enable access to services in schools and clinics
Document progress in functional terms
Write appropriate evaluation, progress and discharge reports

Design treatment sessions based on Ayres SI principles

Analyze sensory aspects of therapy equipment
Modify activities to match needs of the child
Sensory diets for use at home and school
Sensory stories – enhance child’s participation in daily activities

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Educators Speech-Language Pathologists, Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

Copyright : 04/11/2018

Bonus! Improve Sensory Processing in Kids: Integrate Tablets and Smart Phones for Proven Outcomes

In this quick, easy-to-use presentation, you will explore how the Tablet and cell phone can extend beyond the apps and slick surface to truly integrate into your therapeutic interventions.

Learn ways to use this motivating and engaging therapy tool in an integrative manner to enhance sensory processing, by incorporating the tools into sensory strategies such as proprioceptive, vestibular, tactile input as well as inherent visual and auditory strengths.

This 3-hour workshop brings this tech-tool to life and delves into the myriad of ways to use it to enhance function from a whole-child perspective.

Expand the power of technology’s surfaces to integrate into your next therapy session.

Program Information

Objectives

Instruct how to think outside the box by using the tablet or phone for gustatory/feeding issues, as well as olfactory processing.
Discover how to get more bang for your buck with the tablet by using its inherent features in creatively therapeutic ways, as well as exploring specific application recommendations.
Reinforce your work with kids by unlocking the vigor of using technology with pioneering sensory-integrating strategies you can easily integrate into your therapy sessions.
Integrate innovative tablet/phone strategies into your low-tech/sensory setting to increase your effectiveness and efficiency as an Occupational Therapist

Outline

Explore fresh integrative and clinically proven techniques to expand your repertoire using screens:

proprioceptive, vestibular, tactile input, as well as visual and auditory strengths.
- gustatory/feeding issues, as well as olfactory processing
Get more bang for your buck with the tablet by using its inherent features in creatively therapeutic ways, as well as exploring specific application recommendations.
Cultivate motivation and engagement with sensory sensitive children with the use of media.
Gain fresh perspectives on how we as OTs can put this technology in its place as a helpful tool.

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants