Adelphi University  Institute for Parenting

Evidenced-based Practice in Sensory Processing Disorder: Subtypes, Assessments and Intervention 

The comprehensive seminar focuses on Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), a problem that affects at least 5-16% of children. Often, SPD is misdiagnosed as ADHD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Even more common, SPD is not diagnosed as a disorder at all… instead the child’s issues are attributed to “bad behavior,” “poor motivation,” or “social-emotional problems.” This workshop will review screening and assessment of SPD as well as focus on differentiating the six subtypes of SPD. The presentation will highlight videotaped examples of direct treatment. In addition, evidence-based research related to SPD will be reviewed, including studies completed by the SPD Foundation and the SPD Scientific Work Group. There will be a brief review of published peer review studies by the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation.

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About the Instructor

Lucy Jane Miller, PhD, OTR, founded the STAR (Sensory Therapies And Research) Center in

Denver, the premier treatment center for SPD, currently serving as clinical director. In addition in 1979 she founded the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation, currently serving as its research director. In this role she directs research at the Foundation and is widely known for fostering collaborative research projects.

She was an associate professor at UC Denver Medical School with a double appointment in Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Medicine for 11 years.

For 35 years Dr. Miller has devoted herself to the study and treatment of Sensory Processing Disorder and is spearheading the effort to get SPD recognized as a diagnostic entity separate from other disorders. She is a prolific author, with over 50 articles in peer-reviewed

journals. Her book, Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) has become the definitive source of information on SPD. Dr. Miller’s most recent book, No Longer A SECRET: Unique Common Sense Strategies for Children with Sensory or Motor Challenges offers on-the-spot problem-solving tips to use for children with sensory issues. She has developed the STAR treatment model, which has been demonstrated through research to be effective.

Dr. Miller also develops norm-referenced standardized assessments that are in use worldwide, including the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers, the Leiter International Performance Scale – Revised and the new Miller Function and Participation Scale or MFun and her latest and ninth scale, Goal-Oriented Assessment of Lifeskills (GOAL). She talks about learning family-centered care during her three terms, totaling nine years on the Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council for IDEA in CO. In 2005, she received the Martin Luther King, Jr. award from the State of Colorado.

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Registration

Program begins promptly at 9:00 a.m.