Join us and our inspirational speakers from across the globe as we examine sensory health and the pivotal role it has in the autistic experience. Explore what differences in sensory integration/processing look like and how this role in development and function is overly simplified and poorly understood in Autism. Throughout this collaborative event, professionals and advocates will "pass around the mic," articulating their unique perspectives, as the dimensions of sensory health are discussed within the context of development, neurodiversity, best practices in therapy, best practices, and quality of life for individuals.

Participants will have access to our jam-packed 4-day agenda consisting of 16 hours of pre-recorded presentations, LIVE Q&A with speakers, LIVE interactive workshops, and expert panels. Our integrated approach to person-centric and science-orientated presentations focusing on Autistic insight, lived-experiences and evidence-based practice & research will inspire, educate and empower individuals and professionals. With real-world application discussions and advocate voices, attendees will be given tools and strategies for home, school, and community function and advocacy.

Let's honor the true spirit of all those around us and understand Sensory Processing/Integration in Autism together!

 

---

What We Have Planned / Presentation Details

Day 1: Sponsored by Tumbl Trak
Wednesday, June 9th 

• Sensory Processing in Autism: Story of a Scientific Revolution | Virginia Spielmann ~ STAR Institute
• Current Issues in Assessing the Sensory Needs of Autistic People | Dr. Damian Milton ~ University of Kent
• How to Create Sensory Haven: Advice for Parents on Building a Sensory Lifestyle at Home When you Have Conflicting Sensory Needs | Morénike Giwa Onaiwu
• Stimpoloration - Exploring the Joy of Stimming | Mariah Person

Day 2: Sponsored by Unyte/iLs
Thursday, June 10th 

• The Joy of a Sensory-Friendly Home Life | Shannon Des Roches Rosa ~ Thinking Person's Guide to Autism
• Implications of Sensory and Movement Differences for Understanding Autistic People | Dr. Steven Kapp ~ University of Portsmouth
• Troubleshooting Sensory Differences in Intimacy | Stephanie Mitelman ~ SexEd Mart
• Sleep, Sensory Processing and Autism | Dr. Shelly Lane & Marco Leão ~ Colorado State University; 7Senses, Integração Sensorial

Sponsored Extended Expert Panel Discussion with Unyte/iLs
The Lived Experience of Autism & Use of Unyte-iLs Focus Program for Improvements in Brain Body Function

Join a live panel discussion with Kelly Bins, OTR/L & Tim Bush COTA/L where they will be facilitating a real discussion with real clients who share their stories of challenges, symptoms, successes and suggestions for real life. 
 

Day 3: Sponsored by Sensory Integration Education
Friday, June 11th 

• Nature is My Co-regulator | Dr. Erin Bulluss ~ Samson & Bulluss Psychology| Consulting
• The Brain-Body Disconnect: Bridging The Gap Toward Reliable Communication | Julie Sando & Jake Reisman ~ Autistically Inclined
• Sensory Health and Positive Autistic Identity Formation - Special Q&A Session with Our Hosts | Virginia Spielmann & Kieran Rose ~ STAR Institute; The Autistic Advocate

Day 4: Sponsored by ICDL
Saturday, June 12th 

• “I Feel Weird:” Communication of Inner State and Implications for Self-Regulation, Self-Advocacy, and Building Sense of Identity in the Neurodivergent Population | Rachel Dorsey ~ Rachel Dorsey: Autistic SLP, LLC
• The Power of Parents in Play | Renee Allen ~ ROOTS Pediatric Occupational Therapy
• Identifying Personal Sensory Stressors and Creating Sensory Joy | Dr. Amy Pearson ~ The University of Sunderland
• Expert Panel - Intersectionality of Mental Health, Autism and Sensory Processing | Virginia Spielmann, Kieran Rose, Dr. Amy Pearson, Dr. Marcia Eckerd, and Morénike Giwa Onaiwu

 

BONUS DOWNLOAD:

Transdisciplinary Work with a DIR Framework: Opportunities and Challenges | Kathleen Platzman, Ph.D., DIR-Expert,  Milagros Cordero, Ed.D., OTR/L, DIR-Expert, and  Mary Beth Stark, M.S., CCC-SLP, DIR-Expert | A 2020 ICDL Annual Conference presentation

---

Who Should Attend:

Occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, educators, child development specialists, mental health professionals, parents, caregivers, and other individuals seeking a better understanding of Sensory Processing in Autism.

---

Educational Level: Introductory

Primary Learning Objectives:

• Identify new, expanded understanding around the role of sensory motor functioning and sensory features in autism and the development of the autistic individual
• Identify limitations in current theory and practice regarding supporting the sensory needs of autistic people
• Explain how to enable sensory supportive environments in shared spaces such as classrooms and homes
• Describe the impact of sleep and sensory concerns on occupation and participation
• Identify practical ways to support autistic people using the sensory movement model of autism
• Express the role nature can play in Autistic experience
• Describe the relationship between effective communication of inner state, self-regulation, and self- advocacy
• List a number of developmental benefits of play

---

Get to Know Our 2021 Speakers:

Virginia Spielmann, MSOT Executive Director USA Co-Host	Kieran Rose Consultant, Writer, Advocate United Kingdom Co-Host	Mim Ochsenbein, MSW, OTR/L Director of Education USA Co-Host	Erin Bulluss, PhD Clinical Psychologist & Autistic Wellbeing Consultant Australia
Shelly Lane, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Professor and Academic Program Director USA	Marco Leão, MOT International Trainer in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Portugal	Mariah Person Autistic Self-Advocate USA	Rachel Dorsey, MS, CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist USA
Steven Kapp, PhD Lecturer in Psychology United Kingdom	Stephanie Mitelman Sex Educator Canada	Marcia Eckerd, PhD Diagnostician, Therapist, Writer, Speaker USA	Shannon Des Roches Rosa Senior Editor USA
Amy Pearson, PhD Senior Lecturer in Psychology United Kingdom	Damian Milton, PhD Autistic Researcher & Lecturer United Kingdom	Morénike Giwa Onaiwu Advocate/Public Speaker/Writer USA	Renee Allen, MS, OTR/L Occupational Therapist USA
Julie Sando AT Specialist USA	Jake Reisman Self-Advocate USA

 

---

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Continuing Education

Do you have a disability that would require special accommodations?

Please contact us at education@spdstar.org and describe how we can help accommodate your needs.

Cancellation Policy

All registrations must be finalized or cancelled for a full refund by June 1, 2021. Registrations cancelled after June 1, 2021 will be deferred to a future course sponsored by STAR Institute.

In the event this program must be cancelled due to illness, fire, strikes, war, acts of God, terrorism or other causes that would prevent the event from taking place, STAR Institute will attempt to reschedule the event. If the event is unable to be rescheduled, STAR Institute will refund all tuition fees paid.