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This is an in-depth assessment of the skills outlined above. It also includes a comprehensive report that can also be provided to other professionals to supplement their own findings.

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What is sensory integration?

 

Sensory experiences include touch, movement, body position, sight, smell, taste, sound, and sense of gravity. The process by which the brain organizes and interprets various information/stimuli is called sensory integration.

Sensory integration is the essential basis for the further development of learning functions and normal behaviour. For most children, sensory integration develops in the process of routine childhood activities.

In some children, sensory integration does not progress as efficiently as it should. This is known as sensory processing disorder (SPD). When this process is disrupted, learning, motor and behavioural problems can occur. The idea and theory of sensory integration comes from Dr. A. Jean Ayres, PhD, OTR, (see http://www.siglobalnetwork.org), an occupational therapist from California, USA.

As an occupational therapist, Dr. Ayres was interested in how sensory process and motor planning disorders are involved in learning and daily activities. This theory was developed and clarified by its researcher Dr. Ayres, as well as other specialists.

In addition, literature from the fields of neuropsychology, neurology, physiology, child development, psychology, and from the conduct of basic and applied research studies, has contributed to the development of theory and interventional strategies.

 

 

Seminar Details

The seminar contains the theory of Sensory Integration, the assessment in terms of Sensory Integration and the principles of therapy using Sensory Integration techniques. Lectures cover sensory system structures, neurology and function. Sensory classification/identification in practice will be analysed based on the theory of Sensory Integration.

Educational videos are used to better understand theory, assessment and treatment.
 

Participants can report cases of their patients for discussion. After the completion of the seminar, participants will be able to:

 

1. Examine the principles of sensory integration in the context of theory, evaluation and therapeutic intervention.

2. Examine their structures and functions through the nervous system, which affects the sensory process.

3. Analyse the types of sensory dysfunctions, associated characteristics/behaviours and select appropriate intervention strategies.

4. Evaluate the clinical findings of Sensory Integration.

Video demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtszqdr4GW4 

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"We know more than we can say" (Polanyi, 1967)

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What is Clinical Reasoning?

Clinical reasoning is a cognitive area of increasing interest of researchers, educators and clinical therapists in the fields of occupational therapy as well as physiotherapy and other sciences (Schell Cervero, 1993). Mattingly (1991) argues that "clinical reasoning involves much more than the ability to provide clear explanations to justify clinical decisions because it is also based on an implicit» understanding provided through experience.

In addition, clinical reasoning involves more than simply applying theory to practice, especially as theory is understood in the natural sciences, since complex clinical decisions require the conception of a therapeutic intervention that addresses the unique meaning of disability as it relates to the uniqueness of each patient" (p. 979)
 

Seminar Details

This seminar is addressed to clinical Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Speech Therapists who have completed a five-day training in the theory and principles of Sensory Integration therapy both under the Epimorfosis centre and by other educational institutions (if the training has taken place in other centres or abroad).

 

The philosophy of the seminar is to equip therapists with the necessary knowledge in order to reach sound clinical decisions and design scientifically based treatment programs for their clients.

 

The way clinical decisions are made is complex and requires knowledge of both theory and clinical application of theory in practice. In order to bridge this gap, the seminar has been built on modern thought models and cognitive theories.

 

The main objective is to extend the knowledge from the Sensory Integration 1 seminar and apply it to both the assessment and treatment of sensory regulation disorders in children. Although the seminar is mainly paediatric, the knowledge gained will be applied to other diagnostic groups.

To consolidate knowledge in the best possible way, the seminar will include educational videos, presentations by therapists, discussions and workshops, and will be concluded with a live case evaluation by the instructor.

 

After the completion of the seminar participants will be able to:

 

1. Recognize models of clinical reasoning and apply them in order to reach clinical decisions for their clients.

2. Understand the stages of clinical reasoning and the relevant fields of scientific knowledge.

3. Apply combined knowledge in the areas of sensory integration, neuroscience, and clinical reasoning when assessing their clients.

4. Make clinical observations based on the theory of sensory integration.

5. Analyse, design, and evaluate therapeutic programs based on the theory of sensory integration.

This seminar is an extension of the Sensory Integration 1 seminar and is a prerequisite for attending the Sensory Integration 3 seminar – The Art and Science of Therapeutic Intervention.

The kind of involvement in achieving expression where the child becomes effectively self-directed through the structures established by the therapist cannot be commanded, it must be elicited. This is where the art of healing lies. (Ayres, 1972, p.259)

The aim of this seminar is to develop and deepen knowledge and experience regarding the theory and practice of sensory integration so that participants can support the decisions they make for their patients.

Participants will be given the unique opportunity to observe and analyse therapies using sensory integration as a reference point, which will be presented by the professor.

Participants will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment through careful evaluation and research.

The use of reasoning will be critically examined to promote the application of theory in practice.

In addition, participants will be guided through the assessment process and the organization of sessions based on the theory of Sensory Integration.

 

The seminar consists of 3 parts.

The first part of 2.5 days covers:

 

• Principles of Sensory Integration Intervention

• Video discussion of a specialized clinical therapist with clinical reasoning

• Evaluation methods

• Introduction to basic research to improve the database

• Recent data on Sensory Integration

• Recent developments in neuroscience

• Assessment of children from the perspective of Sensory Integration

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The second part covers:

• Principles of treatment

• The art of therapy

• Clinical applications in real patients

• Discussion of sessions and analysis of the choice of activities

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Upon completion of the first part, participants are expected to:

 

• Evaluate a patient from his/her entire history

• Design an intervention program based on the theory of sensory integration

• Deliver an intervention

• Record some sessions and keep a journal of progress and thoughts

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Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of the seminar, participants will be able to:

 

1. Use sensory integration theory to support the treatment plan

2. Demonstrate skills in the field of intervention and clinical reasoning in sensory integration

3. Critically analyse research and evaluate evidence

4. They are critical of their knowledge

5. Design interventions skilfully, adhering to the principles of sensory integration therapy

6. Discuss their clinical options with parents and other colleagues