RECORDED WEBINAR SUMMARY

This recorded webinar outlines the theory and provides practical strategies essential to integrate sensory approaches into OT service delivery. It will support the growth of skills and proficiency in developing a sensory lens, enabling OTs to apply the concepts and strategies to any number of occupational roles and functions, to promote functional gains and independence for consumers.

The content of the webinar series includes:

• Brief contextual summary including evidence base
• Introduction to the sensory system & sensory preferences
• Introduction to the concept of a ‘sensory lens’
• Application of a sensory approach in the areas of assessment, clinical interventions, and environment.
• Embedding sensory approaches in service delivery with practical examples, case studies, tools and exercises to brainstorm strategies to implement in the workplace.
• Building on sensory skill base - additional techniques/ training/ resources/ education options.

The webinars include opportunities to trial tools and apply concepts to occupational therapy practice.

Webinar 1 - The Sensory Systems and Practice Tools

Webinar 2 - How Sensory Modulation Works 

Webinar 3 - The PEO of Sensory Modulation 

Sensory Approaches are designed to support a person’s engagement in occupation by:

1) Participating in an activity that is in itself a sensory based occupation.

2) Using a sensory technique to help a person to enhance their occupational performance in an activity that is meaningful and important to them. For example, a person may be having difficulty grocery shopping because of the smells in the seafood aisle. An OT can use a Sensory Lens to work with the consumer to identify sensory strategies that would support the person to be able to complete the shopping independently.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES

Objectives: To provide Occupational Therapists with an introduction to the use of sensory strategies in clinical service delivery. This will include contextual & theoretical underpinnings, as well as identification and discussion of practical application of sensory approaches.

Outcomes: OTs will develop an understanding of the background to, and evidence base of, sensory approaches. You will learn of the value and benefit in clinical practice and learn the concept of a sensory lens.  Upon completion you will be equipped with a number of practical strategies to employ in the delivery of sensory approaches in your work setting.

While having a focus on mental health, the concepts and techniques discussed in the workshop will have significant value and application to many other OT service delivery settings, including general adult, intellectual disability, adolescent, burns, Autism, pain, alcohol and other drugs and aged care. This workshop will outline the theory and provide practical strategies essential to integrate sensory approaches into OT mental health service delivery.

WEBINAR 1 Presented by Michelle Taylor

Topics covered:

• Defining Sensory Approaches
• An overview of the 8 sensory systems
• Sensory preferences and tools to explore these
• Calming and alerting sensory input
• Safety Tools and Plans
• Activity Analysis with a sensory lens
• The TREEE Model for Sensory Intervention

WEBINAR 2 Presented by Carolyn Fitzgibbon (Lead) and Julie O’Sullivan

Topics covered:

• Research base for how Sensory Modulation works
• Changing emotions through Subjective responses – thinking about an event
• Changing emotions through Physiological responses – internal body reactions
• Changing emotions through Behavioral responses – communications and actions.
• Trauma responses and neuroception
• Understanding Sensory Triggers, Sensory Overload and shutdown.

WEBINAR 3 Presented by Julie O’Sullivan (Lead)  and Carolyn Fitzgibbon

Topics covered:

• The PEO of Sensory Modulation
• Sensory Spaces
• Occupations and Sensory Modulation.
• Sensory Items and kits.
• Powerhouse sensations.
• Ensuring sensory modulation is safe, appropriate, individualized and meaningful.
• How to explain sensory modulation
• How to explore sensory modulation.
   

SUITABLE FOR

This workshop is suitable for OTs in any career stage.

PRESENTERS

Michelle Taylor

MA (Research) | BOccThy Michelle has over 25 years experience as an Occupational Therapist supporting people with  mental health and substance use issues. She has worked in Australia and the United Kingdom as a clinician, clinical educator and consultant. Michelle is currently a clinical educator with Insight Centre for Alcohol and Drug Training. Michelle has led the introduction of sensory approaches in a range of capacities. These include contributing to the development of the Clinical Capability Framework for Sensory Approaches for Queensland Health, the Queensland Learning Centre's e-learning training  on sensory approaches and research on its effectiveness, and  application in the alcohol and other drugs sector through training, mentoring and research. Michelle has presented widely on sensory approaches at workshops and conferences, and lectures on this topic for the University of Queensland. Michelle has a particular interest in translating sensory approaches into practice via collaboration with those with lived experiences of a range of health issues. She has developed many resources including the Sensory Approaches Tool Kit for Insight, the TREEE Model for Sensory Intervention and Using Your Senses To Cope Tool.

Carolyn Fitzgibbon

Carolyn has over 20 years experience in Public, Private and Non-Government Organisations in Inpatient and Community Mental Health Settings. She has worked with adolescents, adults and older adults with mild, moderate and severe mental illness. Carolyn has had training and experience in Sensory Approaches, Mindfulness and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Carolyn is self-employed in Private Practice and uses her sensory lens to support clients to improve their anxiety, self-harm, sleep, eating issues, mental health and occupation. When recommending sensory resources for clients she likes to consider home-made items using recycled, household or natural materials. Carolyn has co-authored a book with Julie O’Sullivan titled ‘Sensory Modulation Resource.

Julie O’Sullivan

Julie has over 20 years experience working in adult mental health, in clinical, education, management, supervision and service development roles. Julie delivers recovery oriented and sensory informed approaches to consumers with complex care needs. She has expertise in implementing sensory modulation in mental health, including the development of work guidelines and plans, writing and delivering education and training, and coordinating and supporting the delivery of key sensory initiatives. Julie has presented papers and posters at national and international mental health conferences and symposiums and is published in international journals and conference proceedings. She is experienced in delivering information to a diverse range of audiences. Julie is committed to the development of strong collaborative working relationships with health, welfare and non-government organisations. She has been actively involved in the formulation of a number of key partnerships with mental health and local community services, and for 8 years has served as a general board member for Footprints in Brisbane Inc, an inner city non-government agency providing support to marginalised and disadvantaged people in the local community.

*Carolyn and Julie are directors at Sensory Modulation Brisbane. Carolyn and Julie have delivered presentations at International, National and State Conferences, The University of QLD and the University of Sunshine Coast and facilitated workshops on sensory modulation. Carolyn and Julie co-authored a book titled ‘Sensory Modulation Resource Manual’ and a research paper with Karen Keptner titled “Effectiveness of anxiety reduction interventions on test anxiety: A comparison of four techniques incorporating sensory modulation”. They have provided education and supervision for Occupational Therapists and are always inspired by the work that OTs are doing.

CPD HOURS:
Total CPD claimable workshop hours: 9 hours 45 minutes.

DATES:

This is a recorded webinar session that was held on:
Webinar 1: Friday 10 February 2023
Webinar 2: Friday 17 February 2023
Webinar 3: Friday 24 February 2023

ACCESS:
This resource is run through our external learning platform - LearnBook. All registrants will receive an email containing information on how to set up their online course account and/ or a  notification that a course has been allocated to them.

You will be assigned an access period of 12 weeks to complete this online course upon activation.

Please be sure to check all email folders including junk and clutter. 

To ensure you receive all correspondence we recommend registering for this workshop with a personal email address.

REGISTRATION FEES & INCLUSIONS

FEES:
OTA Member: $315 
Student/New Graduate Member: $271 
Non-member: $391 

^{(All pricing is inclusive of GST)}

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DISCLAIMER

All information is correct at the time of publication. OTA reserves the right to alter or delete items from the CPD calendar as required, and takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions and changes.

All workshop resources including copies of the presentation, along with all supporting documents and links are not for distribution and are the property of the presenter.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS (T&C)

T&C's are available here

CONTACT US

Please direct all enquiries to info@otaus.com.au or phone 1300 682 878