Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Dr. Kelly Dornbier

Abstract

Background: Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a condition where the person is unable to process and respond to sensory information (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023). Children who are lacking sensory integration skills may have more behavior problems due to their inability to regulate their responses (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023; Pfeiffer et al., 2013). Children with SPD may have abnormal sensitivities in any or all the sensory systems which may cause the child to not participate in their occupations (Guardado & Sergeant, 2023; Parham & Mailloux, 2020).

Purpose: The purpose of this scholarly project was to provide parents/caregivers a handout that thoroughly explained what SPD is and resources to support their child’s engagement in occupations and sensory room within the outpatient clinic for children and therapists to utilize.

Method: An extensive literature review was conducted as well as an informal interview with the agency to determine the needs of the agency. Literature was gathered through databases, textbooks, and professional organizations. The Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model (Baptiste, 2017) and Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) theory (Roley et al., 2007) were used to develop this product.

Results: The handout is available for parents/caregivers to help educate them on SPD, sensory challenges their child may have, and resources to help their child engage in occupation. The sensory room is to be utilized by children with sensory difficulties and various therapists in the clinical setting.

Summary: The product was developed to give parents/caregivers an educational handout to better explain SPD and provide the outpatient clinic with a sensory room. It is anticipated that this product will guide further SPD handouts as well as providing children, occupational therapists, and other health professionals with a sensory room for children with sensory processing difficulties.

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