Description
Curious about how sensory integration shapes participation and well-being beyond childhood?
This course invites occupational therapists and allied health professionals to deepen their understanding of sensory integration across the lifespan. Discover how to confidently interpret Adult/Adolescent Sensory History (AASH) data within a comprehensive Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) assessment, using neuro-affirming approaches.
You’ll explore essential neuroanatomy, examine the structure and function of key sensory systems, and learn to connect assessment findings with strengths-based clinical reasoning. By the end, you’ll be equipped to apply your knowledge to inform and tailor affirming interventions for adolescents and adults, making a positive impact on diverse lives.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Describe the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems and explain their relevance to sensory processing and participation.
- Explain how the primary sensory systems receive, organise and integrate information to support movement, regulation, learning and everyday activity.
- Analyse sensory system structure and function, recognising individual variation across sensory registration, perception, reactivity and discrimination.
- Describe the purpose, structure, domains and subscales of the AASH and identify its contribution to comprehensive sensory assessment.
- Administer and interpret the AASH appropriately, using a neuro-affirming, participation-focused, and clinically reasoned approach.
- Identify appropriate approaches when a person is unable to complete a self-report measure, while preserving their voice, rights and lived experience wherever possible.
- Combine AASH findings with information from interviews, observation, occupational performance, standardised assessments and other relevant sources.
- Use the AASH Interpretation Tool to organise assessment information, identify patterns, and explore possible relationships among sensory processing, praxis, and participation.
- Distinguish observation from interpretation and recognise how behavioural labels may obscure sensory, motor, relational or environmental barriers.
- Apply clinical reasoning to Maya’s case, moving from first impressions towards a fuller occupational therapy formulation.
- Identify sensory and praxis factors that may influence participation across school, home and community settings.
- Develop clear, evidence-informed assessment conclusions and recommendations that support meaningful participation, autonomy and collaborative planning.