AOTA

Judith Giencke Kimball, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA and Teresa A. May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Earn .1 AOTA CEU (1.25 NBCOT PDU/1 contact hour)

ABSTRACT

Complementary sensory-based programs are used by many occupational therapy practitioners during what they would call occupational therapy using a sensory integration frame of reference (OT-SI). This article will examine the clinical reasoning, use, and application of two commonly used complementary sensory-based interventions in OT-SI. It will present each intervention’s format, theoretical foundation, relation to a sensory integration frame of reference, related research evidence, and clinical rationale.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Identify considerations for incorporating a complementary sensory-based program into OT-SI interventions. List the core components of schoolwide PBIS.
2. Recognize two sensory-based intervention programs commonly used with children with sensory integration and sensory processing difficulties.
3. Differentiate strengths, limitations, and needs for research evidence for each program discussed.

Learning Level: Intermediate

Target Audience: Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants

Content Focus: Category 1: Domain of OT: Client Factors, Performance Skills; Category 2: OT Process: Evaluation, Intervention.

Reference Information: Kimball, J., May-Benson, T., (2013). Complementary Sensory-Based Interventions in Occupational Therapy Using a Sensory Integration Approach. OT Practice, 18(12), CE-1–CE-8.