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

CPD

Handouts

Speaker

Susan B. Young, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA Related seminars and products

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Susan B. Young, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is a faculty member for the USC/WPS Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) certification process. She was one of the original researchers for the SIPT under the supervision of Dr. A. Jean Ayres. She has many years of clinical practice including owning Children’s Therapy Group in Kansas City, a multidisciplinary private practice primarily serving children with sensory integration deficits. Dr. Young’s career includes director of OT and PT at Childrens Mercy Hospital, program director of the Occupational Therapy Program at Rockhurst University, and associate professor of OT at Belmont University.

She is an adjunct professor of OT at Belmont University. Graduate (MSOT and OTD) students have gained pediatric competence from Dr. Young’s expertise in the classroom and the lab experiences. She teaches workshops internationally as well as nationally. She is author of “Movement Is Fun”, a program of movement activities for preschool children based on sensory concepts.

 

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial: Susan Young is an occupational therapist with Children’s Therapy Group/Possabilities CTG. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.  Susan has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.

Non-financial:  Susan Young is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and Kansas Occupational Therapy Association.
 

Objectives

1. Chart the characteristics of sensory modulation, sensory-based motor and sensory discrimination disorders.
2. Choose questions for parent interviews which will help you distinguish the presence and type of sensory processing disorder.
3. Discriminate between the 3 major sensory systems in order to apply the appropriate sensory experience for the children.
4. Assess the primary characteristics of Ayres SI and contrast those with other sensory-based interventions.
5. Propose appropriate treatment goals based on analysis of deficits.
6. Produce appropriate treatment activities and equipment which will improve sensory processing.
7. Plan sensory-based intervention strategies for parents and teachers.
8. 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

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