Rachael Benson
Administrative Assistant
Spiral Foundation
courses@thespiralfoundation.org
(617) 969-4410 ext. 231
FAQ
Q: Is the Program of Essential Competencies in Sensory Integration replacing WPS/USC SIPT certification program?
A: No, the Spiral Foundation is not associated with WPS, USC, or the original SIPT certification program. The PECSI is an independent program for therapists looking to develop foundational skills in the sensory integration theory, assessment, and interventions.
Q: Does completing the PECSI grant SIPT Certification?
A: No. While the PECSI will teach you how to administer and interpret the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests, the title of SIPT Certified refers specifically to the WPS/USC program.
Q: What if I want only want to take one/some of the courses in this program?
A: Registration for individual courses, including the online courses, will open closer to the date of the actual course. Right now registration is open for the full program ONLY.
Q: Are these dates subject to change?
A: Barring unexpected emergencies, such as extreme weather, the dates for these courses will not change.
Course level: Intermediate to Advanced
Target Audience: Occupational therapists, OT assistants, physical therapists, PT assistants
Course Completion Requirements: To receive contact hours or CEUs for this course you must attend and participate in the course activities and complete the accompanying course exam.
Occupational Therapy Practitioners/ Occupational Therapy Assistants: The Spiral Foundation is an Approved Provider of continuing Education for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by the American Occupational Therapy Association. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
ADA/Section 504: If you require special accommodations, please contact us at the address above.
The Adult/Adolescent Sensory History is available now!
The culmination of years of research and work, the Adult/Adolescent Sensory History, is designed as a self-report assessment of sensory and motor behaviors commonly observed in individuals with difficulties processing and integrating sensory information. The purpose of this assessment is to help identify adults and adolescents ages 13 to 95 who experience problems in sensory processing and integration as well as assist therapists in clinical reasoning when creating interventions for these individuals. Based on the conceptual model of sensory processing and sensory integration proposed by A. Jean Ayres, this measure is designed to identify difficulties in five key areas of functioning: Sensory Discrimination, Sensory Modulation, Postural-Ocular Skills, Praxis, and Social-Emotional Functioning.
The Program of Essential Competencies in Sensory Integration (PECSI) will be returning for its fourth year starting in February 2019. The Spiral Foundation began offering this five course series in 2016 in response to the dissolution of the WPS/USC SI certification program. This five course program is designed to provide clinicians with a solid foundation of skills to understand, evaluate, and treat sensory integration difficulties. This program includes courses on sensory integration theory, clinical assessment, test administration, interpretation of patterns of sensory integration dysfunction and sensory integration intervention.
Courses 1, 2, and 5 may be completed online or in person. Online courses are available as streamed videos that participants have free access to for the duration of the course. Courses 3 and 4, which address the administration and interpretation of the SIPT tests, must be attended in person.
Participants will complete competency tests after each course segment to reinforce and assure learning of material. Participants who complete all five courses will receive a certificate of completion for the program.
Dates and Costs
Register for the 5 course program and save.
Program cost: $1850.00
Participants may pre-register for to receive the discount.
This five course program includes the following courses. Registration for the full program is now open; for those not interested in the series, details about how to register for individual courses will be available closer to the date of each course.
Course 1 - Essentials of Sensory Integration Theory
Live Course: February 2 - February 3, 2019 in Newton, MA
Individual Course Cost: $375 / $350 early bird
Course: 12 contact hours / 1.2 AOTA CEUs
Exam and Self-Study: 5.0 contact hours / .5 AOTA CEUs
Total: 17 contact hours / 1.7 AOTA CEUs
Online: February 4 - April 1, 2019
Participants must complete BOTH parts of the online course to receive credit for program completion.
Cost of EACH Individual Course: $200
Cost of Full Course: $400
8.5 contact hours / .85 AOTA CEUs per course ; 17 contact hours / 1.7 AOTA CEUs total
Online Part 1: Modulation and Somatosensory Processing
Online Part 2: Visual / Vestibular / Auditory Processing and Cerebellar / Praxis Functioning
This course will introduce practitioners to the foundations of sensory integration theory. The core principles of sensory integration will be discussed. The neuroanatomy essential for understanding sensory integration and its application to intervention will be presented in an easy to understand format which will be linked to function throughout the course. The basic neurology and function of the sensory modulation, sensory discrimination and motor function systems will be presented. This course will form a solid foundation for understanding sensory integration theory. Course format includes a combination of lecture, video recording, self-study review and examination.
Course 2 - Essentials of Sensory Integration Assessment
Live Course: June 15 - June 16, 2019 in Newton, MA
Individual Course Cost: $375 / $350 early bird
Prerequisites: None
Course: 12 contact hours / 1.2 AOTA CEUs
Exam and Self-Study: 2.0 contact hours / .2 AOTA CEUs
Total: 14 contact hours / 1.4 AOTA CEUs
Online: May 6 - July 1, 2019
Participants must complete BOTH parts of the online course to receive credit for program completion.
Cost of EACH Individual Course: $200
Cost of Full Course: $400
7.0 contact hours / .7 AOTA CEUs per course ; 14 contact hours / 1.4 AOTA CEUs total
Online Part 1: Clinical Assessment of Sensory Integration in Diverse Environments
Online Part 2: Assessment of Foundational Mechanisms and Praxis
This course will provide participants with a solid foundation for clinical assessment of sensory integration difficulties in children. Principles and clinical reasoning strategies for assessment of sensory integration problems will be addressed. Participants will learn how to administer an observation-based clinical assessment of sensory modulation and discrimination and how to interpret assessment findings in the context of sensory integration assessment. Clinical assessment of postural-ocular-respiratory functions and praxis skills will also be addressed. Course format includes a combination of lecture, video recording, case studies, self-study review and evaluation.
Course 3 - Essentials of Administration of Sensory Integration Assessments
LIVE ONLY
Dates: July 26 - July 28, 2019 in Newton, MA
Individual Course Cost: $600 / $575 early bird
Prerequisites: This course is limited to occupational and physical therapy participants who have completed Courses 1 and 2 of this series, live or on-line, or who have completed course 1 of the WPS/USC SIPT courses. All participants must bring with them their own SIPT test manual, a stopwatch (not a cell phone) and every two participants must have bring a SIPT test kit.
Course: 24 contact hours / 2.4 AOTA CEUs
Exam and Self-Study: 2.0 contact hours / .2 AOTA CEUs
SIPT Self-Study and Practice Administrations: 15 contact hours / 1.5 AOTA CEUs
Total: 41 contact hours / 4.1 AOTA CEUs
This course will introduce participants to standardized assessments of sensory integration functioning. Participants will learn how to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests as well as Ayres Clinical Observations. The course format, a combination of lecture, hands on instruction and practice, and small group discussion allows opportunities for practical learning and individualized feedback on assessment techniques.
Course 4 - Essentials of Interpretation of Patterns of Sensory Integration Dysfunction
LIVE ONLY
Dates: November 2 - November 3, 2019 in Newton, MA
Individual Course Cost: $375 / $350 early bird
Prerequisites: All participants must bring with them the SIPT test manual.
Course: 12 contact hours / 1.2 AOTA CEUs
Exam and Self-Study: 2.0 contact hours / .2 AOTA CEUs
Total: 14 contact hours / 1.4 AOTA CEUs
This course will discuss patterns of sensory integration dysfunction as described by A. Jean Ayres as a result of factor and cluster analyses using the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests. Participants will learn how to identify patterns of sensory integration dysfunction through standardized and non-standardized assessment findings using the SIPT as well as other motor assessments which will be applicable to a wide range of client ages and practice settings. The course format, a combination of lecture, videotapes, case studies and small group discussion allows opportunities to address participants’ questions and concerns.
Course 5 - Essentials of Sensory Integration Intervention
Live Course: Early 2020 in Newton, MA
Individual Course Cost: $375 / $350 early bird
Prerequisites: None
Course: 12 contact hours / 1.2 AOTA CEUs
Exam and Self-Study: 2.0 contact hours / .2 AOTA CEUs
Total: 14 contact hours / 1.4 AOTA CEUs
Online: October 7 - December 2, 2019
Participants must complete BOTH parts of the online course to receive credit for program completion.
Cost of EACH Individual Course: $200
Cost of Full Course: $400
7.0 contact hours / .7 AOTA CEUs per course ; 14 contact hours / 1.4 AOTA CEUs
Online Part 1: Treating Sensory Modulation and Discrimination
Online Part 2: Treating Foundational Mechanisms and Praxis
This course will provide participants with the essential information needed for treatment of sensory integration and praxis difficulties in children. The core principles of sensory integration intervention will be reviewed. Sensory integration interventions for sensory modulation and discrimination problems, praxis difficulties and foundational postural skills in children will be presented. Development of sensory diet programs will also be addressed. Extensive videotape analysis and case study presentations will be used to develop observational skills. The course format, a combination of lecture, videotapes, and small group discussion allows for opportunities to address participants’ questions and concerns.
Registration for complete 'Program for Essential Competencies in Sensory Integration' is open now! Cost is $1850.00 for all five courses.
Information about how to register for individual courses will be available approximately one month ahead of the course date. Look for future announcement emails or watch our website: www.thespiralfoundation.org
Register Now!Cancellation Policy: No refunds except in the event the course is cancelled by Spiral. Please see here towards the bottom of the page for the Spiral Foundation's complete policy regarding cancellations and refunds. For questions, contact us at courses@thespiralfoundation.org or 617-969-4410 ext 231.