Course | Principles of Sensory Integration

Facilitator

Sarah Sawyer, MS, OTR/L

Sarah is an occupational therapist with extensive clinical experience working with individuals experiencing sensory processing differences. Sarah began her career in the United Kingdom working with children, adolescents and adults with sensory processing challenges across home, school, community and clinic-based settings. In 2003 Sarah was awarded the Elizabeth Casson Trust Scholarship from Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK, to attend Tufts University to complete her post-professional masters. Sarah has broad experience evaluating and treating individuals with SPD and has specialized training in Ayres Sensory Integration®, listening therapies, feeding therapies and DIR® Floortime Approach. Sarah is also passionate in supporting individuals and families that have experienced trauma and has collaborated with several colleagues to support the development of the role of OT in mental health and specifically the intersection of sensory processing, trauma and attachment. In addition to her role with SPIRAL Sarah supports the development of new programs, research and clinical initiatives within OTA The Koomar Center and Cicero Therapies. Sarah also regularly shares her knowledge and experiences through mentoring and presentations.

Description

This course delivers a comprehensive yet succinct introduction to the foundational principles of sensory integration (SI) theory, assessment, and intervention.

Participants will explore how sensory processing fundamentally influences daily functioning and well-being, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. With a condensed yet thorough curriculum, learners will leave equipped with essential tools to understand, evaluate, and implement effective sensory integration strategies across various populations and settings.

Course content reflects occupational therapy principles, participants from other disciplines are encouraged to refer to their professional organization’s scope of practice and guidelines for integrating sensory-based approaches into their work.

This course utilizes a PowerPoint presentation, video, and case scenarios. Participants are encouraged to complete 2 or more of the case scenarios to practice incorporating SI principles into their practice. Slides and references are available for download.

• Level: Introductory
• Access: All parts of the course, including assignments, must be completed within a 2 month viewing window.
• AOTA Areas: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge.
• Audience: OT/OTAs, SLPs, PTs, mental health specialists, educators, and parents/caregivers. Designed for occupational therapy practitioners but also highly applicable to related professionals and parents/caregivers who wish to understand and begin incorporating sensory strategies to support self-regulation, engagement, and skill development.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Articulate the core principles of sensory integration theory.
- Describe diverse sensory processing patterns and their impact on daily functioning.
- Identify evidence-based intervention strategies to address distinct sensory processing difficulties in individuals across various populations.

Agenda

• Welcome and Course Overview - 10 mins
• Foundations of Sensory Integration Theory - 30 mins
• Understanding Sensory Processing Patterns - 30 mins
• Assessment of Sensory Processing - 30 mins
• Intervention Strategies for Sensory Processing - 40 mins
• Case Examples and Application to Practice - 20 mins

Credit

3.0 contact hours or 0.3 AOTA CEUs.

Completion Requirements: To earn contact hours or AOTA CEUs for this course participants must view this course in its entirety, and successfully complete the accompanying course quiz.