Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Roberta Carrlson

Abstract

Background: Sensory processing is the way the brain and nervous system receive sensory information (Star Institute, 2023). When there are difficulties with processing sensory information, it is called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Consequently, the inability to process sensory input results in affected motor and behavioral responses (Star Institute, 2023. This creates difficulty in participating in necessary tasks such as activities of daily living (ADLs), social participation, and school (Lane et al., 2019; Star Institute, 2023). Occupational therapists address these challenges by providing sensory activities in therapeutic sessions and as part of home programming (Gabriele, 2020). The goal of this scholarly project is to provide sensory home programming handouts for occupational therapy practitioners. These handouts are to be given to parents and consist of sensory activities for children struggling with sensory processing disorders. These handouts contain definitions of each of the sensory systems to give parents an understanding of the input being targeted. Handouts are to be provided to parents on evaluation or while treating.

Methodology: This project began with collecting evidence and research to create a comprehensive literature review to identify intervention efficacy and needs for children who struggle with sensory processing disorders and the processing/integration of sensory input. Based on this evidence, home programming handouts were developed and implemented. The product was developed utilizing Ecology Human Performance (EHP) as a guide for literature review and interventions (Dunn, 2017). Additionally, health literacy and readability principles were used to format and develop each handout.

Results: The home programming handouts provide practitioners with resources to provide parents with. These resources will educate parents on activities to assist in sensory regulation through various sensory inputs. Additionally, it supports health literacy by defining targeted sensory systems and sensory activities. By utilizing readability principles throughout product development, one enhances health literacy by ensuring information is clear to promote understanding.

Conclusion: Occupational therapy practitioners will have access to a resource that will help educate parents on sensory activities and provide them with tangible items to reference. Ultimately, this product will result in patients having increased task participation, performance range, and quality of life.

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