Sensory Intelligence and Occupational Therapy - A Practical Guide to Co-create Sensory Self-regulation for Mental Health Strategies with Adolescents and Adults
Sensory Intelligence and Occupational Therapy - A Practical Guide to Co-create Sensory Self-regulation for Mental Health Strategies with Adolescents and Adults is organized by Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) / Association canadienne des ergotherapeutes (ACE) and will be held on Apr 12, 2024.
Description:
Depression and anxiety disorders increased by 25% following the pandemic ( World Health Organization, 2022). About 1 billion people suffer from a mental illness worldwide with an estimated cost of $2.5 trillion per year and estimated to rise to $6 trillion by 2030 ( The Lancet Global Health, 2020). One in five Canadians experience mental illness, with mood and anxiety disorders the most common ( Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 2021) and 33% of employees are burned out ( Mental Health Research Canada, 2022). Occupational therapy professionals offer best-fit, solution-focused contributions to support mental health and well-being, including utilizing valued occupations aligned with each client’s context to reduce the cost burden of mental health ( The SJOT Foundation, 2020). Integrating a sensory processing approach has been advocated for ( Harrison et al., 2019) and also provides significant results ( Wallis et al., 2018; Stoller et al., 2012; Scanlan & Novak, 2015). Sensory modulation theory explores a mental health framework that broadens the application of occupational therapy from wellness to illness. Sensory processing, as a fundamental component, influences mental health (e.g., Harrison et al., 2019) and workplace productivity ( Annandale, 2020; Lombard, 2012).
This workshop is ideal for occupational therapy professionals working with adolescents and adults who wish to increase their understanding of sensory modulation, from its inception to its current, more inclusive application. The workshop will provide an overview of available sensory processing assessment tools for adolescents and adults and compare them to psychological tools, while also providing an opportunity for participants to measure their sensory style through a quiz. Participants will learn about an education framework that incorporates insights from neuroscience and empowers mental health clients to understand their sensory thresholds and triggers, facilitating self-regulation to reduce distress and to promote participation in meaningful occupations. Various applications of sensory modulation for self-regulation will be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
• Define sensory modulation and sensory regulation, and understand how these concepts fit into mental health and well-being.
• Understand the neuroscience of the senses, the brain, and how sensory modulation relates.
• Identify how sensory processing can be used in both health promotion and mental health rehabilitation.
• List at least 3 assessments used in the field of sensory modulation for adolescents and adults, and in what context they will be best applied.
• Explain and apply to clients how sensory thresholds, triggers, and needs influence daily living, working, relationships, and other meaningful occupations.
• Identify and apply co-creation of at least 3 sensory self-regulation strategies (sensory snacks, sensory diets, sensory ergonomics) for self and a client.
