Autism & Sensory Processing: Concepts, Evidence & BEST Strategies
Presenter(s)
Moira Pena, BScOT, MOT, OT Reg. (Ont.)
This two-day interactive online workshop explores sensory processing, sensory assessments, sensory-based interventions and strengths-based coaching approaches that you can utilize with children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders who experience sensory processing challenges* (including, but not limited to, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, anxiety and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) to support engagement in daily activities.
The first day of the workshop will highlight the different sensory systems, relevant sensory processing and integration models and assessments, new perspectives and interpretations of autism as well as BEST (Body, Emotional, Sensory & Thinking) evidence-based interventions. Participants will learn core concepts of solution-focused coaching (SFC) to improve your communication in effectively coaching parents and caregivers. The second day will focus on BEST evidence-based interventions to improve function and participation for children and youth with sensory processing differences in the following areas: Feeding (picky eating), Play and School Readiness.
* Please note that the presenter's clinical experience is primarily with autism spectrum disorder and that the case studies/videos used will focus on autism spectrum disorder. The sensory systems, sensory processing assessments and interventions, as well as the solution-focused coaching approaches can be applied to all children and youth who present with sensory processing challenges.