Occupational Therapy for

Sensory Processing Disorders

By Natalie Jatulis
The Topic
- Occupational therapy is the best treatment of those who
suffer from sensory processing disorders.
- Receiving occupational therapy helps improves the lives of
children with sensory disorders by improving their happiness
by making them more comfortable, creating a safe
environment for these children, and lessening negative
reactions to everyday activities.
What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?
- The use of assessment/ intervention in order to develop,
recover, or maintain meaningful activities/ occupations
throughout individuals, groups, or communities
What is a Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)?
- A condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and
responding to information that comes in through the senses.
The Problem
- Sensory processing disorders are becoming more widely
known yet it is still not considered a “medical diagnosis”. Due
to that, people often do not consider treatment for this. That
is incorrect, occupational therapy is a great way to treat SPD.
- Another problem with SPD is when people try to treat it only
with medication. Though medication is not a bad solution, it is
not as effective as OT. If you do decide to treat with
medication then it is strongly advised to do so along with OT.
Service Learning Awareness
- For my service learning I was able to shadow the occupational
therapists at Lake Norman Children’s Therapy in Cornelius.
- I was able to observe techniques used to calm children with
SPD, played games that challenged them, and learned a lot
about SPD and OT together.
The Product-
SPD Card Game
Solution
- The solution to sensory processing disorders is occupational
therapy. During OT sessions they will use what is called
sensory integration. This will challenge the child while
calming them. This makes it very fun for them and keeps them
excited for OT sessions.
What is next?
- I want to contribute to the solution of SPD by becoming a
pediatric occupational therapist. I want to be able to help
children from a young age live a more comfortable and happy
life.
Any Questions?