Summary: Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR, research director at the SPIRAL Foundation, in collaboration with Jane Koomar, PhD, OTR, founder of the SPIRAL Foundation, have contributed vital information to a growing body of literature on sensory processing issues in adults. Their presentation discusses four critical studies that could change your clinical practice: Sensory Processing in Typical Adults; The Relationship Between Sensory Processing and Anxiety in Adults; Characteristics of Adults Seeking Sensory Integration Based Occupational Therapy; and Daily Occupations of Adults with Sensory Processing Sensitivities: Challenges and Strategies. (See full references in the PowerPoint presentation). Presented at the 14th International 3S Symposium.
Level: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Clinicians, teachers, mental health and medical professionals, parents, students, caregivers
Prerequisite: None
Presenter: Teresa A. May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, Director of Research and Education of the Spiral Foundation, is a well-known lecturer and researcher on sensory integration. She has authored numerous book chapters and on praxis, ideation, and sensory integration. She has extensive experience with children and adults with autism and a diverse clinical background having worked in private and public school settings as well as private practice. She is Chairperson of the Sensory Integration Special Interest Section of the American Occupational Therapy Association. She is the recipient of the Virginia Scardinia Award of Excellence from AOTF, The Alice S. Bachman Award from Pediatric Therapy Network, and the Catherine Trombly Award from the Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy.
The late Jane Koomar, PhD, OTR was the owner and co-founder of OTA-Watertown and the President of the Board of the Spiral Foundation. She completed her doctoral studies in developmental psychology at Boston University where she was formerly an assistant professor in occupational therapy. She taught at Tufts University, Boston School of Occupational Therapy in a one year Professor of Practice position. In 1984, she studied with Dr. Jean Ayres, who developed the theory of sensory integration. Dr. Koomar served as the chairperson of the Sensory Integration Special Interest Section and was a member of the Mental Health Special Interest Section, both part of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Dr Koomar was honored with the A. Jean Ayres award at the 2011 AOTA conference. She co-authored several book chapters on sensory integration dysfunction and intervention and taught numerous courses on these topics.
Learning Objectives:
- Articulate the relationship of anxiety to sensory processing in adults with SPD.
- Identify patterns of functional difficulties routinely reported by adults with SPD.
- Describe the patterns of sensory processing/ processing dysfunction identified on a developmental/ sensory history for adults with SPD.
Continuing Education: STAR Institute for SPD is an AOTA Approved Provider of Continuing Education. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
Upon full completion of the course video, participants must complete and pass a quiz with at least 80% accuracy to receive a certificate of completion.