This November, STAR is proud to host our 3-day Virtual Summit on Current Research in Sensory Integration, Processing, and Sensory-Motor Development. Designed for clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals, this event provides a unique platform for learning, collaboration, and discovery.

Our program features groundbreaking research from Dr. Karen E. Adolph, Julius Silver Professor of Psychology and Neural Science at New York University, whose decades of work on motor development and learning continue to reshape our understanding of how infants and children acquire movement skills. She will be joined by an impressive roster of thought leaders, including Drs. Joanne Flanagan, Steven Kapp, Susan Allen, Amanda Newchok and many more.

• Deepen your knowledge of current research in sensory integration and sensory-motor development, and its relevance across the lifespan.

• Explore neurodiversity-affirming perspectives that challenge traditional models and offer more inclusive approaches to practice.

• Gain practical strategies you can immediately apply in your clinical, educational, or research setting to better support children and families.

• Learn from diverse methodologies—from longitudinal developmental research to practice-based evidence—showing how sensory and motor processes influence learning, regulation, and participation.

• Engage in meaningful dialogue with global experts, expanding your professional network and contributing to the advancement of sensory health.

What You’ll Take Away:

• Fresh insights from world-renowned experts at the forefront of sensory and motor research.

• Evidence-based tools and resources to strengthen your practice.

• A deeper understanding of the lived experiences of neurodivergent individuals.

• Connecting and finding inspiration as part of a global community dedicated to sensory-informed care.

All registrations include access to our interactive event platform and 60-day on-demand access to presentations and resources, ensuring you can revisit sessions and integrate new knowledge at your own pace.

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What We'll Be Discussing - CONFIRMED TO DATE

Day 1 | November 6, 2025 | 8am-1pm MT

8:00am - 8:10am | WELCOME

8:10am - 9:40am | Early Movement and Play Behaviors in Infants at Elevated Likelihood for ASD | Dr. Karen E Adolph

9:45am - 10:45am | Early Play Differences in Autistic Children | Dr. Joanne Flanagan

11:00am - 12:00pm | TBA | Dr. Steven Kapp

12:00pm - 1:00pm | Sensory versus Behavioral Intervention for Autism?  A Comparison of Occupational Therapy using Ayres Sensory Integration and Applied Behavior Analysis | Dr. Roseann Schaaf

Day 2 | November 13, 2025 | 8am-12:15pm MT

8:00am - 9:00am | The Effects of Arousal on Executive Functions | Valeria Issac

9:00am - 10:00am | Sensory Regulation and Executive Function: An Integrative Approach | Lindy Joffe

10:15am - 11:15am | The Forgotten Sibling: Exploring the Effects of Sibling Inclusion in Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services | Erin Greer Smith

11:15am - 12:15pm | Neuroaffirming Research Design - What Does Inclusion Look Like? | Dr. Luke Beardon

Day 3 | November 20, 2025 | 8am-1pm MT

8:00am - 9:00am | A Qualitative Exploration of the Therapeutic Characteristics of the Art of Therapy: Perspectives on Ayres Sensory Integration | Beverely Williams

9:00am - 10:00am | TBA | Dr. Susan Allen

10:15am - 11:15am | A Scoping Review of Sensory Interventions for Behavioral Regulation of Children with Trauma | Dr. Madalene Rutherford

11:15am - 12:15pm | Integrated Sensory Tolieting | Isabelle Beaudry Bellefeuille

12:15pm - 1:15pm | A Strength-based Approach to Facilitate Successful Inclusion for Neurodiverse Students through Sensory Regulation | Amanda Newchok, Janis Leinfuss and Erin O'Hara

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Get to Know Our 2025 Speakers - CONFIRMED TO DATE

Presenter Disclosures

Virginia Spielmann (she/her), PhD, OTR/L  Executive Director STAR Institute USA	Karen E. Adolph (she/her), PhD Julius Silver Professor of Psychology & Neuroscience New York University USA	Joanne Flanagan (she/her), ScD, OTR/L Associate Professor  Nova Southeastern University USA	Steven Kapp (he/him) PhD Senior Lecturer in Psychology University of Portsmouth United Kingdom
Roseann C. Schaaf (she/her), PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy USA	Valeria Issac (she/her), MSc, OT Owner and Director Neurosens Chile	Erin Greer Smith  (she/her), OTD, OTR/L Occupational Therapist/Researcher USA	Luke Beardon (he/him), PhD  Senior Lecturer in Autism Sheffield Hallam University  United Kingdom
Beverely Williams (she/her), BSc OT, MSc SI Specialist Occupational Therapist Sense-it Therapy Consultancy United Kingdom	Susan Allen (she/her), PhD, MSc, BSc, DipCOT Senior Lecturer Oxford Brookes University United Kingdom	Madalene Rutherford (she/her), OTD, OTR/L Occupational Therapist, Author Rutherford Occupational Therapy Services USA	Lindy Joffe she/her, OTD, OTR/L  Occupational Therapist Fortify USA
Janis J. Leinfuss (she/her) OTD OTR/L  Occupational Therapist Ready to Learn and Play USA	Amanda Newchok (she/her), MS OTR/L Occupational Therapist Ready to Learn and Play USA	Erin O’Hara (she/her), MS OTR/L Occupational Therapist Ready to Learn and Play USA	Isabelle Beaudry Bellefeuille (she/her) PhD Occupational Therapist Spain

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Thank you to Our Sponsors

 

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Become a Sponsor

We are delighted to invite you to the 2025 Virtual Summit, November 6, 13 & 20, 2025. This premier event brings together experts in sensory integration and sensory motor development to explore cutting-edge research, intervention strategies, and collaborative approaches.

To maximize your impact, we offer a range of exhibitor and sponsorship packages designed to align with your objectives and ensure a meaningful presence at this transformative event.

Benefits include:

• Increased visibility and exposure for your products and services to a highly targeted sensory audience of 200+ attendees, including some of the most influential leaders committed to improving the lives of people living with sensory processing challenges and related conditions
• Increased network of vendors, professionals, and researchers working in the neurodivergent community and individuals and families living with sensory processing challenges
• Growth of your customer base, greater visibility for your organization, and enhanced brand recognition in a vibrant atmosphere

To register, please visit https://bit.ly/star-sponsorship or contact: Crystal Hays, Marketing Manager at marketing@sensoryhealth.org or Tory Englund, Assistant Director, at development@sensoryhealth.org or 303-221-7827 (Ext: 143) with any questions.

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Group Discount
Register 5 or more participants in a group and automatically receive a 10% discount!

Use the promotional code SUMMITGROUP25 upon checkout to automatically receive the discount on 5 or more registrations.

If participants of the group must pay separately, please:

1. Register all participants separately.
2. Send the names of all participants in your group to Education Team at education@sensoryhealth.com by November 6, 2025.
3. Once at least 5 registrations are received, each person will be partially refunded for the discounted amount.

Groups must be determined and paid in full before the start of the conference. 

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After participating in the 2025 Virtual Summit for Current and Emerging Research on Sensory Integration & Sensory-Motor Development, attendees should be able to: 

• Identify and apply at least three evidence-based strategies for enhancing sensory integration and sensory-motor development in clinical practice. 

• Describe methods for evaluating intervention outcomes using both qualitative and quantitative measures, with a focus on client participation and health-related quality of life. 

• Demonstrate the ability to engage in professional dialogue by contributing at least one insight or question related to neurodiversity-affirming and evidence-based practices during summit discussions. 

• Explain the role of evidence-based practice in guiding assessment selection and the use of standardized tools to support occupational performance and participation. 

• Define the concept of "presuming competence" and its relevance to occupational therapy practice with neurodivergent populations. 

• Recognize the value of strength-based assessment approaches that align with the principle of presuming competence and promote client-centered evaluation. 

• Summarize recent research findings relevant to sensory integration and sensory-motor development and describe how these findings can inform assessment protocols. 

• Apply basic principles of research appraisal to evaluate the quality and relevance of studies used to inform clinical decision-making. 

• Describe how to integrate current research evidence into intervention planning to enhance client outcomes and support meaningful occupational engagement. 

Who Should Attend: Occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, speech language pathologists, educators, child development specialists, mental health professionals, parents, caregivers, and other individuals seeking a better understanding of sensory integration and sensory motor development.

Level: Introductory

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Continuing Education

ASHA CE Provider approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.

Add-on ASHA CEUs Option Available for an Additional $75

Includes a Certificate of Completion and submission of credits to the ASHA CE Registry.

Note: This fee is separate from the annual ASHA CE Registry fee, which is processed directly by ASHA.

 

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Attendance Policy

Participants may join the conference at any time during the live broadcasts and/or view the recorded presentations for 60 days after the livestreamed event.

To receive the Certificate of Completion, participants must meet the following criteria:

• Purchase the AOTA/ASHA CEU Add-on
• Attend the live event or watch the recordings
• Complete and pass a brief quiz for each approved presentation by December 20, 2025
  • A passing score is 80% or higher
  • Quizzes must be completed in the order of the presentations
  • Quizzes may be retaken as needed

If you would like STAR Institute to report your credits to the ASHA CE Registry, please submit the ASHA CE Registry Reporting Form by December 20, 2025.

Please note:

• All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance
• Access to Presentation Recordings - Recordings will be available from November 6, 2025, through January 19, 2026. Live sessions are scheduled for November 6, 13, and 20, with recordings uploaded incrementally after each session.

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Do you have a disability that would require special accommodations?

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

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Cancellation Policy

Since this program is recorded and available for on-demand access, cancellations are generally not accepted. If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with education@sensoryhealth.org.

In the rare event that this program must be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, fire, strikes, war, acts of God, or other disruptions beyond our control, STAR Institute will make every effort to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, all registration fees will be refunded.