Winter 2012

One of our biggest events in 2011 was moving to our new location. The Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) Foundation along with our partner, The STAR Center, which provides treatment for SPD, moved into our new location in Greenwood Village, Colorado in May. It has been a truly wonderful transition for our two organizations. We are looking forward to collaborating with the award winning inclusive playground company, Landscape Structures, to build an outdoor sensory playground, bringing therapy, research and parent education into a truly natural setting.

The Impact of Sensory Processing Challenges on Emotional and Symbolic Play Development

This feature article discusses “play” from the perspective of DIR(R)/Floortime, a methodology for understanding and coaching parents in relating and engaging with their children. The author, Dr. Serena Wieder, is a clinical psychologist who…

Ask Dr. Lucy

Q. Erin was recently diagnosed with dysautonomia. Along with her Prader-Willi Syndrome issues, this adds a new level of things to be concerned about. My thoughts keep wandering to the connection between dys-autonomia and sensory challenges. It seems that if you are dizzy, unsure of your footing, have fluctuating blood pressure/temperature, among many other things, that would be enough to make anyone process sensory input differently. In your work, have you dealt with individuals with dysautonomia and, if so, how have they responded to treatment?

Helpful Resources

Navigating the SPDF website, recommended books, our treatment directory, our library, parent connections and more!

Is Sensory Processing Disorder Inherited? Collaboration Between the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation and Baylor College of Medicine

How many times have you worked with a family and a comment is made, “He’s just like I was as a kid”? Anecdotally, we all know that Sensory Processing Disorder is common amongst families.

14th International Symposium & Pre-Symposium Parent Workshop in Boston

The basics on SPD for parents, grandparents, caregivers and anyone wanting to learn sensory-based strategies for everyday life. This will be a fun, hands-on workshop with music, movement and more. Bring your exercise ball if you can!

The S.O.S. (Sequential Oral Sensory) Approach to Feeding: Picky Eaters vs Problem Feeders

The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation is privileged to present Kay A. Toomey, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist, teaching her internationally renowned intervention for problem feeders. The Sequential Oral Sensory (S.O.S) Approach to Feeding is a family-centered, transdisciplinary program for assessing and treating children with…

Intensive Mentoring in Clinical Techniques for Sensory Processing Disorder

Learn advanced methods and strategies in a small group setting of practicing clinicians during our five-day Intensive Mentorship program. Because of their size, enrollment is extremely limited. Register now before 2012 dates sell out!

Save the Dates

15th International Institute & Symposium
November 1-3, 2012 Sacramento, California

16th International Institute & Symposium
April 11-13, 2013 – Denver, Colorado

SPD University

The SPD University is our new online e-Learning program for parents and professionals. We are making a debut of our new University in 2012 by launching six courses on the definitions and treatment of the three Sensory Modulation Disorder subtypes of SPD. We will also have two courses showing instruction…

STARLights Parent Tips: Making the Most of Occupational Therapy: Importance of Parent Participation

I didn’t know what occupational therapy (OT) was before my daughter was born. I never imagined that my family would come to rely on it, but after our daughter was born too early and too small…

STARLights Occupational Therapist Tips: An Integrated Approach to Occupational Therapy with SPD and their Families: Combining Sensory Integration and the DIR/Floortime Model

This article is the first of a two part series on Occupational Therapy using Sensory Integration and the DIR(R)/Floortime Model for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). The first article offers a rationale for the use of the DIR(R)/Floortime Model and provides a comparison of the two approaches…

Sensational Families

Upon my first meeting of “Sarge“, I thought he was funny, outgoing and very loud. I had already met his wife Anya and son Zander. Anya is Polish and has the most wonderful accent, and Zander is a beautiful child with curly hair and a smile that melts your heart.