Level: Intermediate

Intended Audience: Occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech and language pathologists.

Prerequisite: None

Presenters: Dr. Lucy Jane Miller founded the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder in Colorado, and is the premier center for treatment, research, education, and advocacy for SPD. She currently directs the Treatment Center at STAR Institute and is widely known for fostering collaborative research projects.

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; the revised edition just recently published.Dr. Miller’s other 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 developed the STAR Treatment Model, which has been demonstrated through research to be effective in the treatment of sensory-related challenges.

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 M-FUN) 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.

Sarah A. Schoen, PhD, OTR/L, is the Director of Research at the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Dr. Schoen is an Occupational Therapist with 34 years of clinical experience and a doctorate in Occupational Therapy from New York University (2001). She was awarded the Developmental Psychology Endowment Grant from the William T. Grant Foundation to study the Sensory Processing Three Dimension Scales, which she is developing and researching with Dr. Lucy Jane Miller. Dr. Schoen is certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment and has taught continuing education workshops nationally. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions and has served on multiple doctoral committees. She also co-developed and teaches the monthly Advanced Mentorship trainings at STAR Institute. Dr. Schoen has advanced training in Sensory Integration Therapy and clinical expertise on infants and toddlers with Regulatory Disorder, children with Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In 1997, Dr. Schoen received the Recognition of Achievement Award from the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Virginia Scardina Award of Excellence from the American Occupational Therapy Foundation in 2011.