NEW!  Spiral Course:

Essentials of Sensory

Integration Intervention

Presented by:

Dr. Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Fri-Sat, May 16-17, 2014

Course Description: 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.

Dr. Teresa May-Benson is the Executive Director of the Spiral Foundation as well as a practicing occupational therapist at OTA The Koomar Center. She is active in conducting research related to sensory integration through the Spiral Foundation’s Sensory Processing Research Center and Laboratory.  She is a well-known lecturer and researcher on sensory integration theory and intervention.  

Learning Objectives   At the end of the course the participant will be able to:

1. Understand basic principles of sensory integrative treatment and how they apply to clinic, home and classroom situations
2. Identify principles of sensory integrative treatment and develop treatment plans based on differential diagnosis of sensory integrative dysfunction
3. Identify the progression of sensory integrative treatment from organizing sensory input to skill development
4. Apply sensory integration treatment techniques in a variety of situations to address sensory processing, functional support and praxis problems
5. Use home and classroom sensory diet modifications to assist with specific problems

Dr. Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Executive Director of the Spiral Foundation at OTA-Watertown is a well-known lecturer and researcher on sensory integration theory and intervention.  She has authored a number of book chapters and articles on praxis and sensory integration, and completed her doctoral dissertation on ideational praxis.  Dr. May-Benson has a diverse background as a clinical practitioner having worked in private and public school settings as well as private practice.  She is active in conducting research related to sensory integration through the non-profit Spiral Foundation’s Sensory Processing Research Center.  She has collaborated with well-known researchers such as Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, Dr. Shelly Lane and Dr. Roseann Schaaf.  In her role of educator, she serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Indianapolis.  She has a special interest in, and extensive experience with autism, particularly older students and adults.  Dr. May-Benson received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and her master’s degree from Boston University with a concentration in sensory integration and school system therapy.  She was a Maternal and Child Health Fellow in the Doctoral Program in Therapeutic Studies at Boston University.  She has received the Virginia Scardinia Award of Excellence from AOTA for her work in ideational praxis.  

Day 1: Course Schedule:

8:30 – 9:00      Registration

9:00 – 10:30    Introduction and Overview of Sensory Integrative Theory and Treatment
                          (Clinical Reasoning, Principles, Models of Treatment)

10:30 – 10:45  Break

10:45 – 12:00  Treatment Principles and the Art of Therapy
                           Fidelity to Treatment & Efficacy Research Synopsis

12:00 – 1:00    Lunch

1:00 – 2:30      Equipment Analysis
                          Treatment of Sensory Modulation and Discrimination Problems

2:30 – 2:45      Break

2:45 – 4:30      Treatment continued

Day 2: Course Schedule:

9:00 – 10:30    Treatment of Functional Support Problems: Postural, Oral Motor, Visual/Ocular Motor

10:30 – 10:45  Break

10:45 – 12:00  Treatment of Functional Supports continued
                           Treatment of Praxis and the Importance of Play

12:00 – 1:00    Lunch

1:00 – 2:30      Treatment of Praxis continued
2:30 – 2:45      Break

2:45 – 4:30      Developing a Sensory Diet: Home and School Accommodations
                          Issues Affecting the Delivery of Service (Equipment, Space)

** Topic times may vary but topics will not. 

COST:

 Early Bird (by May 9): $325
Regular: $365