Research Update| Muting, filtering and transforming space
In this 2022 article; “Muting, filtering and transforming space: Autistic children’s sensory ‘tactics’ for navigating mainstream school space following the transition to secondary school.”, the take-home messages are: There are sensory challenges in mainstream school environments for ASD children. Working with young people post-transition to secondary school has highlighted these challenges. Sensory challenges exist across […]
The importance of a comprehensive assessment
Thank you to the families who gave consent and our secret blogger OT for this contribution. “A little while ago, two mums approached me and both asked about assessments for their children. Both were young adults, academically highly able and struggling with their self-organisation and motor skills. Both young people consented to an assessment and […]
CPD Update: Neurodevelopmental Soft Signs: Implications for Sensory Processing and Praxis Assessment—Part One
An interesting read, this AOTA CE Article links sensory integration and processing difficulties and higher functions linked to occupation and participation. A table in the article links types of neurodevelopmental soft signs (NSS) in Occupational Therapy evaluation and underlying brain areas implicated in the literature, commenting that “Integrating clinical observations of NSS with advanced brain-based […]
Choosing Wisely ® and ASI – a fantastic initiative from AOTA – it got me thinking about why people think sensory is easy and just anyone can do it.
Just like a parent can decide a child has a cold and needs Calpol, a sensory rich home environment can help support development. However just like a child may need a Dr, Dentist or other specialist if they have a more serious illness, what some people need is specialist intervention. Sensory Integration therapy requires years […]
Assessment tools are just that – tools in our toolbox!
We should use and value our specialist skills – promoting our profession – information from one assessment tool is not a comprehensive assessment. We should act with integrity and only practice what we are skilled in and trained to do. This can and must include postgraduate training and we should value this investment in our […]
Neuroscience and Sleep
Submitted by guest blogger Ruth OT Before I trained to be an occupational therapist, I studied neuroscience to masters by research level. It is so helpful in my work to have that underpinning knowledge of some of the things going on in the brain and how these affect behaviour. However, I don’t miss growing neurons […]
Supporting Practice – Your Questions Answered: So did Ayres’ consider the visual system?
So I was just asked “Why didn’t Ayres consider and put more importance of the visual system? I was a bit perplexed and so explored this further with the therapist asking the question. The OT explained that she has been taught that Ayres did not consider the visual and auditory systems and that this means […]
