Webinar Library

In this update from ISIC 2022, Zoe Mailloux and Patricia Grady Dominguez discuss the progress of the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) project. Guided by the theme "children understood," the project focuses on comprehensive assessments in Ayres sensory integration. The global initiative involves 20 regions with dedicated leads, having collected data from over 2,200 children since August 2019. Using the Rasch model for analysis, the project ensures test validity and reliability. New tests, such as the tactile perception oral test, measure various levels of child ability. Despite pandemic challenges, the team continues to build a robust dataset, providing valuable insights for clinicians and researchers into sensory integration and child development.

In this presentation, Susanne S. Roley discusses the Family Life Impact Questionnaire (FLIQ), a tool developed to assess the daily challenges faced by families with children who have disabilities. She highlights the importance of connecting sensory integration knowledge with daily life, sharing findings from 20 years of clinical practice. The FLIQ categorizes family impact into social participation and daily life activities, emphasizing neurodiversity and varied family routines. Dr. Roley stresses the need for comprehensive assessments and personalized interventions, supported by global data, to better serve families in occupational therapy.

In this presentation from ISIC 2022, Karla Ausderau explores sensory-motor performance in autistic children using the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI) tool. Karla outlines the study's methodology, challenges, and key findings. Despite some missing data, significant differences were found between autistic and non-autistic children in areas like sensory perception, proprioception, sensory reactivity, and postural control. The research also highlighted potential strengths in autistic children, even after considering IQ differences. Future research will delve deeper into sensory-motor performance relationships and address data gaps. This presentation offers valuable insights for those interested in the sensory-motor aspects of autism.

In this ISIC 2022 presentation, Dr. Grace Baranek discusses early identification and intervention for infants at risk for autism. She highlights the development of early screening tools and parent-mediated interventions, noting the inconsistency in current screening practices. Dr. Baranek shares research on early behavioral risk markers and the importance of longitudinal studies to understand autism trajectories. The presentation also explores the effectiveness of coaching parents to recognize and respond to their infants' sensory cues and communication acts, enhancing developmental outcomes through improved parent-child engagement.

In this presentation, Diane Parham introduces the Sensory Processing Measure, 2nd Edition (SPM-2), highlighting its standardized, norm-referenced structure for consistent and reliable results. The SPM-2 includes new features such as taste and smell scores, infant-toddler forms, a caregiver self-report form, and a driving form. Diane emphasizes the importance of following standardized procedures and using the SPM-2 alongside other assessment tools for a comprehensive evaluation. Developed with data from over 8,000 individuals, the SPM-2 represents a significant update, expanding its applicability across various age groups and contexts.

In this insightful presentation at ISIC 2022, Lou Cozolino delves into the fascinating evolution of the brain, emphasizing the interconnectedness of its primitive and advanced regions. Cozolino discusses how the brain's social functions developed from basic survival mechanisms, with attachment and social behaviors deeply rooted in our neural circuitry. Highlighting the necessity of stimulation and connection for brain growth, he underscores the significance of social interactions and relationships. Cozolino also explores the critical role of early experiences and attachment in brain development, drawing on studies of children in various environments. By examining the deep biological foundations of social behaviors, this talk sheds light on the importance of nurturing social environments for healthy brain development.

In this presentation, Anita Bundy discusses the importance of accurate assessment for effective intervention, using relatable examples to illustrate her points. She explains that the validity of tests lies in their interpretation, focusing on theoretical validity, which measures how well test findings align with underlying theories. Bundy evaluates various Sensory Integration (SI) tests, such as the Sensory Profile and EASI, highlighting potential discrepancies and emphasizing the need for tests to accurately reflect theoretical constructs. She concludes by advocating for a new, streamlined assessment tool that balances theoretical accuracy with practical clinical utility.

In this video, Sharon Cermak explores the neuroscience of somatosensory integration and its impact on social interactions. She discusses the importance of touch and physical contact in human development, referencing key research, including Harlow’s studies on primates. The presentation highlights the challenges faced by institutionalized children, children of depressed mothers, and children with autism due to disrupted somatosensory processing. Cermak also explains the role of social touch in stress regulation and emotional empathy, and reviews effective interventions like massage and skin-to-skin contact. This talk provides valuable insights into the significance of touch in social development.

In this presentation, Lisa Aziz explores the connection between sensory motor processes and social cognition. She discusses how typically developing individuals understand actions, emotions, and intentions through two primary neural networks: shared networks, which involve embodied cognition, and theory of mind networks, which involve cognitive understanding. Aziz highlights that 80% of children with autism have sensory motor issues. She compares children with autism to those with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) to distinguish sensory motor issues from social issues both behaviorally and neuronally.

Join Roseann Schaaf at ISIC 2022 as she delves into the neurobiological foundations of sensory integration. Learn how sensory integration supports action and interaction, backed by evidence and neurobiological mechanisms. Schaaf shares her research on the significance of sensory integration for social connectedness and brain development, emphasizing neuroplasticity. Discover practical applications in occupational therapy, especially for children with autism, and the results of feasibility studies ensuring the safety and effectiveness of these interventions. Schaaf also discusses efforts to adapt sensory integration techniques for diverse cultural contexts, making them accessible to a wider audience.

In this presentation, Dr. Margaret Bauman discusses her experiences and insights on autism, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary training and improved communication between medical professionals and sensory processing specialists. She covers the changes in the DSM diagnostic criteria, the underdiagnosis of autism in females, and the importance of considering medical comorbidities in autistic individuals. Dr. Bauman also advocates for specialized training for physicians and the role of patient navigators in hospitals to better support those with sensory processing issues.

In this presentation, Brittany Travers explores the brain's role in sensory features in autistic individuals, focusing on the brain stem. As a psychologist interested in occupational therapy and neuroimaging, she uses diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to map white matter pathways. Her research links increased white matter density in the brain stem to higher sensory severity in autistic children, particularly highlighting tracks like the medial and lateral lemniscus. Brittany discusses how these findings suggest the brain stem's significant impact on sensory processing in autism and outlines future research directions, including studying brain stem development in younger children and exploring new imaging techniques. This talk provides valuable insights into potential targeted therapies for sensory and motor features in autism. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this video with your colleagues!