Course | Autism and Sensory Processing

Meet the Presenter

Cheryl Boucher, MS, OTR/L, IRCA Consultant

Cheryl is an Occupational Therapist (OT) with 25 years of experience. She also earned a master’s degree in special education. Cheryl worked for over 20 as an OT for a large, urban school corporation. She currently works as an independent contractor to support students. Cheryl provides presentations nationally on a variety of topics including sensory processing strategies to support students, executive functioning differences and strategies and “I Hate to Write.” Cheryl’s article, “Low-Cost / No-Cost Classroom Sensory Strategies” was featured in the October 2014 issue of Autism Asperger Digest. Along with Kathy Oehler, Cheryl is co-author of “I Hate to Write! Tips for Helping Kids with ASD and Related Disorders Increase Achievement”, “Meet Academic Standards”, and “Become Happy, Successful Writers”.

Course Overview

This course explains each of the sensory systems, and typical and atypical responses. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how sensory differences impact individuals with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and learn the benefits of sensory strategies and evidenced-based practices to support student/individual success across settings.

Material was developed into sections to better facilitate learning. The sections under each course are structured to be viewed sequentially.
• Sensory Section 1: Introduction Sensory Processing (50 minutes)
• Sensory Section 2: Sensory Processing Challenges and Strategies That Provide Support for the Tactile System (90 minutes)
• Sensory Section 3: Sensory Processing Challenges and Strategies That Provide Support for the vestibular and proprioceptive system (90 minutes)
• Sensory Section 4: Sensory Processing Challenges and Strategies That Provide Support for the visual, auditory, gustatory, olfactory and interoception systems. (120 minutes)

Objectives

By completing this course participants will:
1. Gain an understanding of each of the sensory systems and typical responses
2. Gain a deeper understanding of sensory differences and atypical responses
3. Gain a deeper understanding of how sensory differences impact individuals with an ASD
4. Learn and understand the benefits of sensory strategies and evidenced-based practices to support student success.

Length: 6 hours
Department: Indiana Resource Center for Autism, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community
Credit: Certificate of Attendance (6 hours)
Audience: This course is designed for the General Education Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Behavior Consultants, Autism Consultants, Special Education Teachers, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Administrators, Classroom Assistants/Paraprofessionals, and Family Members.

Credit

Credit may be available for this course and may vary by country or institution. Please verify eligibility with the Indiana University.