NEW! Spiral Course:

April 14-18, 2014:

Mastering Sensory Integration Assessment - a Mentorship Training Program

Presented by

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

This intensive hands-on mentorship program will provide therapists with the opportunity to  develop their sensory integration assessment skills.  While use of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) is optimal for sensory integration assessment, it may not be practical or appropriate.  In addition, therapists may supplement the SIPT with additional assessment of clinical observations of sensory, motor, and postural control. This intensive experience will instruct therapists on how to conduct sensory integration assessments, provide hands-on practice administering the assessments, group problem solving and discussion following the assessments and focus on interpreting assessment findings from clinical and standardized testing within sensory integration frame of reference.  Participants will also learn how to present finding of sensory integration assessment in written reports. Participants will gain experience in conducting a clinical assessment of sensory modulation and discrimination, praxis, postural control, vestibular functioning, and oculomotor control. This course will form a solid foundation for administering, interpreting and reporting sensory integration assessment. The course format, a combination of lecture, practical hands-on experience and small group discussion, allows for opportunities to address participants’ questions and concerns.

Prerequisites: None required.

Learning Outcomes:  At the end of this course participants will be able to:

1. Identify key observations and assessment tools which may be used for sensory integration assessment
2. Assess, interpret and report key observations and assessment findings for sensory modulation, sensory discrimination, motor functions, and postural-ocular control.
3. Apply understanding of sensory integration theory to interpretation of assessment results and identification of patterns of sensory integration dysfunction
4. Relate assessment findings to intervention and function

Tuition:  $1500  ($750 initial application fee is due on registration + submission of resume and acceptance to course to hold your space;  final payment of $750 due 2 weeks prior to course)

 NOTE:  Cancellation Fees - The $750 initial fee will be refunded if you are not accepted into the course.  Cancellations happening 2 weeks prior to the start day will incur a $75 processing fee.  Cancellations occuring within 2 weeks of the course start day will incur a $150 cancellation fee.

Faculty:

Teresa A. May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA -  Dr. May-Benson is the Executive Director the Spiral Foundation at OTA-Koomar Center as well as a practicing occupational therapist.  She 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 and the Catherine Trombley award from the Massachusetts Occupational Therapy Association for her work in ideational praxis.