A Personal Perspective on the Art of Sensory Integration Intervention

With Jane Koomar, Ph.D., OTR/L (Intro narration by Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA)
originally presented May, 2008

Self-Study Videos are two to three hour videos on topics related to sensory integration and sensory processing disorder.

Description: In this special video occupational therapist and Spiral Foundation co-founder Dr. Jane Koomar discusses her thoughts on the art of sensory integration intervention, discussing topics such as developing therapeutic intentions, joining with children, creating safe spaces for bonding, using language to facilitate children’s performance, holding hope and promoting joy, and creating new stories for children’s lives. Originally presented in May of 2008 to the staff of OTA Watertown, now OTA The Koomar Center, this lecture was one of a series on core components of occupational therapy and remains a mandatory part of the training for new therapists and fieldwork students at OTA.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this video listeners will be able to:

1. Describe examples of how to promote therapeutic intentions in sensory integration intervention.
2. Identify ways to create safe spaces for bonding with a child.
3. Describe how to use language to facilitate children’s performance.

Course Level: Introductory. There are no prerequisites for this course.

Suitable For: Occupational therapists, OT assistants, physical therapists, PT assistants, speech and language therapists,.

AOTA
Domain: Client Factors
Process: Intervention

Contact Hours: This course is worth 1.0 contact hours or .1 AOTA CEUs.

Completion Requirements: To receive contact hours for this course you must view the video in its entirety, and complete the accompanying assessment.

About the Speaker: Jane A. Koomar, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA was the owner and co-founder of OTA-Watertown and the President of the Board of the Spiral Foundation. She completed her doctoral studies in developmental psychology at Boston University where she was formerly an assistant professor in occupational therapy. She taught at Tufts University, Boston School of Occupational Therapy in a one year Professor of Practice position. In 1984, she studied with Dr. Jean Ayres, who developed the theory of sensory integration. Dr. Koomar served as the chairperson of the Sensory Integration Special Interest Section and was a member of the Mental Health Special Interest Section, both part of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Dr. Koomar was honored with the A. Jean Ayres award in 2011by the American Occupational Therapy Association. She co-authored several book chapters on sensory integration dysfunction and intervention and taught numerous courses on these topics. Jane passed away from breast cancer on February 23, 2013 at the age of 59.

 ADA/Section 504: If you require special accommodations, please contact the Spiral Foundation at admin@thespiralfoundation.org or (617) 969 – 4410 ext. 231.

Continuing Education: 

Occupational Therapy Practitioners/ Occupational Therapy Assistants:  The Spiral Foundation is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by the American Occupational Therapy Association.  The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.