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About Therapy at STAR Institute
STAR Institute provides the highest-quality assessment and intervention for children and families. In addition to differences in sensory integration and processing, populations we support include autism, attention deficit disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, feeding and eating differences, anxiety, and other mental wellness and developmental differences. All the STAR Institute therapists are highly trained in sensory integration therapy (as conceptualized by Ayres) and DIR/Floortime. Our team are all either certified or pursuing certification in the STAR Frame of Reference which meets international standards in sensory integration therapy certification. At STAR Institute parents are included and empowered through personalized and dynamic education from your Occupational Therapist and team.
Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, founder of STAR Institute, is widely recognized as the leader in SPD research worldwide. Her groundbreaking work is highlighted in her books, Sensational Kids and No Longer A SECRET. STAR Institute’s reach is global with about 40% local (Denver metro area), about 45% from other states and about 15% from foreign countries.
There is no cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach at STAR Institute. Instead, treatment plans reflect the core STAR Institute philosophy: that each and every individual is unique, with individual strengths and sensory challenges and therefore, that each person deserves an approach to intervention tailored to their needs. STAR Institute Treatment Center allocates significant financial resources to outcomes research which enhances the evidence-base related to the effectiveness of the treatment of SPD.
All Therapy Starts With Assessment
At STAR Institute, we believe that appropriate and effective therapy is grounded in assessment that considers the whole person. When you or your child is evaluated at the STAR Institute Treatment Center, highly trained, professionally recognized experts are evaluating them. Many of the professionals at STAR Institute are involved in teaching continuing education on Assessment to other professionals in their fields.
Early diagnosis increases the chances of successful intervention and treatment and can prevent secondary problems from developing. Secondary problems are issues such as behavior problems, attention problems, emotional challenges, difficulty with social relationships, limitations participating in school and community activities, poor self- regulation of moods and anger, and poor self-esteem and/or self-confidence. Diagnosis of Sensory Processing Disorder requires careful assessment by a trained therapist. Unfortunately SPD is not yet included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (we are continuously working to get SPD included in the upcoming revision of the DSM). Until SPD is formally recognized, we must say SPD was “identified” or “recognized” rather than “diagnosed” in written reports.
Our Treatment Services
At STAR Institute, families find the support and treatment they have been searching for. No one knows better than you that each individual has unique needs, and that the entire family is impacted. We provide a customized approach for your child’s specific sensory challenges. As your child improves his or her functioning, you will experience less stress, learn to advocate on your child’s behalf, and achieve a higher quality of life. Hundreds of children, adults and families are thriving after intervention based on the STAR Institute treatment model.
"She no longer has the frustration or isolation due to her lack of speech clarity. Our STAR Institute speech pathologist, and our occupational therapist, worked miracles with our daughter and taught us (the parents) what to do to help our daughter. The program is amazing. Without it, our daughter would not be the happy, successful kindergartener she is today. The STAR Institute Treatment Center is truly priceless. Thank you!" - Tammy and Nathan Scheopner
STAR Institute treatment teams consist of expert specialists in the fields of:
Complementary Services:
Groups and Camps:
What Makes the STAR Institute Treatment Center Unique
We have developed a new treatment model at STAR Institute. The innovative STAR treatment model has taken all the best principles of therapeutic intervention for children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and combined them to make an innovative individually-based model. The new STAR treatment model is so effective that advanced therapists travel from all over the world to participate in our Clinical Mentorships where they are trained in our assessment and treatment methods.
We believe parents should leave treatment empowered with their child. Our intensive model includes parent participation in every session while setting aside regular parent-only education sessions.