Sensory Integration: Assessing and Treating Kids When Formal Testing Isnt Possible – Susan B. Young

Salepage link: At HERE. Archive:

Many of the children we work with are unable to take tests which require a good attention span and the ability to follow directions. These children may have ADD, ADHD or ASD. However, we need to be able to identify those deficits which are interfering with their ability to learn at school, participate in family activities and promote friendships.

Today you will expand your knowledge of sensory processing activities, and enhance your effectiveness to work with these children!

You will learn to identify which deficits have a sensory integration foundation, and thus be able to use treatment techniques to improve the quality of life for the kids you work with every day! In this workshop, I will teach you: how to identify behaviors which are sensory, determine underlying sensory systems which may be contributing to these behaviors, plan treatment strategies to help them more fully participate in school, community and home activities, and practice documenting your services.

1. Chart the characteristics of sensory modulation, sensory-based motor and sensory discrimination disorders.
2. Choose questions for parent interviews which will help you distinguish the presence and type of sensory processing disorder.
3. Discriminate between the 3 major sensory systems in order to apply the appropriate sensory experience for the children.
4. Assess the primary characteristics of Ayres SI and contrast those with other sensory-based interventions.
5. Propose appropriate treatment goals based on analysis of deficits.
6. Produce appropriate treatment activities and equipment which will improve sensory processing.
7. Plan sensory-based intervention strategies for parents and teachers.
8. Measure progress to justify third party reimbursement.

Neurological Foundations of Sensory Integration

• Primary sensory systems in SI
• Receptors, neurological tracts and brain locations of sensory systems
• How is each system stimulated?
• Types of sensory integration dysfunction associated with each system

Clinical Observation and Interviews for Assessment

• Analyze case studies using a sensory integration frame of reference vs developmental or motor
• Distinguish between sensory-based and nonsensory-based behaviors
• Clustering observations of behavior into sensory processing categories

Develop Interview Questions

• Formulate questions for parents/teachers to gain sensory information
• Formulate questions related to participation in everyday life
• Clustering responses into “diagnostic groups”

Documentation for Maximum Reimbursement and Access to Services

• Write goals and objectives which enable access to services in schools and clinics
• Document progress in functional terms
• Write appropriate evaluation, progress and discharge reports

Design treatment sessions based on Ayres SI principles

• Analyze sensory aspects of therapy equipment
• Modify activities to match needs of the child
• Sensory diets for use at home and school
• Sensory stories – enhance child’s participation in daily activities