Sensory Integration Across the Lifespan: Old Age (Ages 65+)

A Conversation with Mary Beth Kadlec, OT, ScD, OTR

moderated by Robyn Carreras, MS, OTR/L 

Recorded May 2025

LiveTalks are hour long panel discussions. LiveTalks are included in SPIRAL membership.

Description: An insightful discussion on sensory integration in older adulthood. This talk will explore the sensory changes that commonly occur as we age and their impact on daily life, including mobility, social engagement, and overall quality of life. Using a case study, we will examine individualized strategies to promote sensory engagement and enhance well-being in older adults, focusing on practical approaches to support independence and meaningful participation in everyday activities. This talk is designed to provide valuable insights for therapists, caregivers, and anyone interested in supporting older adults during this significant stage of life.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this Live Talk Series, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the foundational principles of sensory integration across different stages of the lifespan.
2. Identify common sensory processing challenges and variations experienced by individuals from early childhood to old age.
3. Define effective strategies and interventions for supporting sensory integration in diverse populations across the lifespan.

Audience: OT/OTA, PT/PTA, SLP, Psychologists, Educators, Parents

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

AOTA Areas: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery: Evaluation, Intervention and Outcomes. Foundational Knowledge: Human Body, Development, and Behavior.

Contact Hours: The entire LiveTalk series is worth 5 contact hours or 0.5 AOTA CEUs. Individual LiveTalks are each worth 1 contact hour or 0.1 AOTA CEUs.

Completion Requirements: To earn contact hours or AOTA CEUs for each LiveTalk, participants must attend or view the online session in its entirety and successfully complete the accompanying quiz.

About the Speakers:Mary Beth Kadlec, OT, ScD, OTR is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy, MGH Institute for Health Professions (IHP) and an Adjunct Professor, Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, UMass Chan Medical School. She is the former director of the Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders, UMass Memorial Health. Dr. Kadlec established interdisciplinary training and clinical services with Massachusetts state agencies: Department of Children and Family, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health and Department of Youth Services. Currently, she is a Team Leader on an ECHO Autism Project with the Shriver Center that provides training on autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities to the Massachusetts Mobile Crisis Teams. Dr. Kadlec has extensive experience, focusing on the interplay between emotional regulation, sensory processing, cognition, communication, and physical abilities with activity engagement.  At MGH IHP, she provides clinical training experiences and engages occupational therapy doctoral students in her research. Her focus is on expanding occupational therapy’s impact through interprofessional clinical practice, education and research demonstrating how occupational therapy is uniquely positioned to advance the human condition in any environment by applying our knowledge to support individuals to be successful within the context of their lives.

Robyn Carreras, MS, OTR/L (Moderator) is a seasoned occupational therapist with over 15 years of experience specializing in sensory integration therapy. As the moderator for the SPIRAL Foundation’s 2024 Live Talk Series, Robyn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in facilitating discussions on sensory integration. Her passion for advocacy and education in the field of occupational therapy makes her an invaluable asset to this series.

Disclosure: No disclosures.

ADA/Section 504: If you require special accommodations, please contact courses@thespiralfoundation.org

Cancellation Policies: Available here

Continuing Education:

Occupational Therapy Practitioners/ Occupational Therapy Assistants: 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.