Level: Intermediate

Intended Audience: Occupational Therapists, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, mental health providers, medical professionals, early intervention specialists, educators, and parents

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.

Karin Buitendag, MA, OTR/L started her professional career in South Africa where she worked in rehabilitation prior to shifting focus to the pediatric population. Karin worked in several private practices in South Africa prior to starting her own private practice in 1998, where she offered intervention to children from various backgrounds and with a variety of needs like Sensory Processing Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, ADD/ADHD, Learning Disabilities and general developmental delays. Karin was involved on a national level in South Africa, training occupational therapists in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) administration and interpretation, was chairperson of the South African Institute for Sensory Integration (SAISI) and was the SAISI representative at the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa. Karin is also certified in Neurodevelopmental Therapy. Karin and her family moved to the United States in 2010 where she worked at a pediatric clinic in California as director of occupational therapy. She attended advanced training in Sensory Integration and has used her skills, experience and training to mentor and supervise occupational therapists in South Africa and in the United States. She published her Master’s degree research titled: “The relationship between developmental dyspraxia and sensory responsivity in children four years through eight years” in the South African Journal of Occupational Therapy in 2010 and 2012. Karin previously served as director of occupational therapy at STAR Institute.Roianne Ahn, PhD, and licensed psychologist, is trained in the DIR/Floortime relationship-based play model, which she infuses into every aspect of her work with children, teenagers, adults, and families. Whether providing consultation, testing, therapy, or coaching, Dr. Ahn focuses on creating positive, joyful relationship experiences that support and facilitate long-term learning. Through consultation, testing, therapy, and coaching, she helps individuals and caregivers understand the neurobiology underlying SPD and how to help those with SPD successfully learn, relate, and grow.

Carrie Dishlip, MS, CCC-SLP is a speech and language pathologist and has practiced in several different pediatric settings including a multidisciplinary SPD clinic, public schools, a hospital-based mental health treatment program, and private practice clinics.  She served as an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) specialist and has experience developing and running social skills programs. Carrie has taken the University of Southern California Advanced Training in Sensory Integrative Dysfunction and is PROMPT trained and Hanen Certified.  She has led professional and parent workshops on social skills and AAC and has run the Hanen It Takes Two to Talk® and PROMPT PARENT/CAREGIVER® workshops

Sarah A. Schoen, PhD, OTR/L is Associate Director of Research at the Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Foundation and a clinical advisor to STAR (Sensory Therapies And Research) Center in Denver, 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 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 the SPD Foundation. Dr. Schoen has advanced training in Sensory Integration Therapy and clinical expertise with infants/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.

Learning objectives:

1. Acquire knowledge about the basic components of the STAR treatment approach
2. Understand the role of Speech and Language Pathologist in the STAR treatment approach
3. Understand the role of the Mental Health professional in the STAR treatment approach
4. Discuss research related to the STAR treatment approach

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.