$199 Early Bird Ticket
Includes AOTA/ASHA add-on
2 Live Sessions + 10 Asynchronous Presentations
60-day on-demand + Community Access
September 25 & October 9, 2026 | LIVE
Daily | 8:00am-12:00pm MT
OVERVIEW
PROGRAM
SPEAKERS
SPONSORS
TICKET OPTIONS
CONTINUING EDUCATION
FAQS
Where the body, the brain, and belonging finally meet
An immersive, interdisciplinary experience for professionals ready to meet today's most complex developmental and mental health challenges head-on.
We are witnessing a significant shift in the needs of the children, families, and communities we support. Development has become more complex, and mental health needs are increasing rapidly. The lasting impact of COVID, foster care, adoption, and ongoing stress and adversity are altering how people perceive safety, connection, learning, and participation. Professionals across allied health, education, and human services must respond to this complexity in a more effective way. The 2026 Sensory Symposium is perfectly timed to address this challenge.
This symposium delves into the critical connection between sensory integration and mental health, with a strong focus on how trauma affects the body, sensations, relationships, and daily experiences of belonging. It examines how patterns of safety, connection, and participation are formed over time through personal experiences, including interactions with healthcare, education, child welfare, and immigration systems, as well as community safety and global conflict. Participants will engage with innovative ideas that combine sensory experience, development, and relational health to better understand how individuals regulate, connect, and engage in daily life. The emphasis is on approaches that promote co-regulation, agency, and participation in a way that is tailored to each individual's developmental needs and grounded in real-world contexts.
This immersive, interdisciplinary experience is designed to enhance our understanding and support of the people we serve. Participants will improve their ability to interpret behavior in context, design effective interventions, and support meaningful participation in home, school, and community environments. The symposium prioritizes reflection, dialogue, and connection, recognizing that this work requires dedication, curiosity, and collaboration. By bringing together cutting-edge thinking in mental health and trauma with clinical expertise and personal experience, we can shape the future of care and make a lasting impact.
Live when it counts. Flexible when you need it.
To create space for meaningful thinking, reflection, and connection, we've reimagined how we're approaching this year's symposium. We've split our event into two sections: live and asynchronous — so you can get the most out of the 2026 Sensory Symposium, with a deep, rich collection of presentations AND dynamic, interactive live sessions.
Here's what we're excited to bring you this year:
- A completely reimagined format — we've split the symposium into live and asynchronous so you get the best of both worlds
- 10+ speakers sharing rich, expert presentations you can watch on your own time
- Self-paced async content that we've designed to build week by week — so you arrive to every live session primed and ready
- Interactive workshops on September 25 & October 9 — where we dig into big ideas together
- Panel discussions where we open it up to the whole community to wrestle with the questions that really matter
- A full month of learning — no cramming, no rushing, just a rich experience at a pace that works for you
What you'll walk away with
- A deeper ability to interpret behavior in the context of lived experience — not just diagnosis
- Frameworks for designing co-regulatory, trauma-informed interventions across settings
- Practical strategies grounded in sensory integration, relational health, and developmental science
- Connections with interdisciplinary peers who share your commitment and curiosity
Our Event Program
Live Workshop Sessions | Friday, September 25, 2026 | 8:00am - 12:00pm MT
8:00-8:15 AM | Welcome
8:15-9:00 AM | WORKSHOP - Neuro Informed: Understanding Behavior Through Prediction and Energy | Rick Griffiin
Behavior is often seen as intentional or defiant, but a Neuro Informed lens shows it reflects the brain’s predictions to stay safe and manage energy. This session explores how prediction and energy shape behavior across contexts, and how patterns of safety and connection are built or disrupted.
9:00-9:10 AM | Break
9:10-9:55 AM | Reflection with Dr. Virginia Spielmann
9:55-10:10 AM | Break
10:10-11:05 AM | Workshop #2 | TBA
11:05-11:10 AM | Transition/Short Break
11:10-11:55 AM | Panel Discussion
11:55 – 12:00 PM | Closing
Live Workshop Sessions | Friday, September 25, 2026 | 8:00am - 12:00pm MT
8:00-8:15 AM | Welcome
8:15-9:00 AM | Workshop #1 | TBA
9:00-9:10 AM | Break
9:10-9:55 AM | Reflection with Dr. Virginia Spielmann
9:55-10:10 AM | Break
10:10-11:05 AM | Workshop #2 | TBA
11:05-11:10 AM | Transition/Short Break
11:10-11:55 AM | Panel Discussion
11:55 – 12:00 PM | Closing
Asynchronous Symposium Presentations
Jumpstart your learning before the live sessions begin. Asynchronous presentations will be released in two groups — the first on September 11 and the second on September 25 — giving you two full weeks to explore the content at your own pace before joining us in real time.
Get to Know Our 2026 Speakers
Virginia Spielmann |
Rick Griffin |
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Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsoring the 2026 STAR Sensory Symposium is an opportunity to align your organization with leaders in sensory health, trauma-informed care, and interdisciplinary practice. To explore sponsorship opportunities, contact us at marketing@sensoryhealth.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 STAR Sensory Symposium? An immersive, interdisciplinary professional learning experience focused on the connection between sensory integration and mental health. The symposium brings together cutting-edge thinking in trauma, relational health, and developmental science to help professionals better support the children, families, and communities they serve.
What is the format — live, virtual, or both? Both. The symposium combines asynchronous (self-paced) presentations with live interactive sessions. Live workshop sessions are scheduled for September 25 and October 9, 2026, each running 8:00am–12:00pm MT. Async content is released in two groupings — September 11 and September 25 — two weeks before each live session, so you arrive primed and ready.
Who should attend? Professionals across allied health, education, and human services — including occupational therapists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, educators, speech-language pathologists, and child welfare professionals. It is also relevant to foster and adoptive families seeking a deeper understanding of sensory and relational health.
What topics will be covered? The symposium explores the intersection of sensory integration, trauma, and mental health — including how trauma shapes the body and daily experience, patterns of safety and connection, co-regulation and agency, and participation across home, school, and community settings. A particular emphasis is placed on how systemic experiences (healthcare, child welfare, education, immigration, and global conflict) shape development.
When do the asynchronous presentations become available? Async presentations are released in two groupings — September 11 and September 25 — each two weeks before its corresponding live session, giving you plenty of time to explore the content at your own pace before the interactive workshops.
What happens during the live sessions? Each live session runs 8:00am–12:00pm MT and includes two workshops, a reflection with Dr. Virginia Spielmann, and a panel discussion open to the full community. Live sessions are designed to build on the async content you've already watched.
Will sessions be recorded? Yes. Basic and Student ticket holders receive 60-day on-demand access to recordings after the event. Livestream Only ticket holders do not receive access to recordings.
When does Early Bird pricing end? Early Bird pricing of $199 — which includes AOTA/ASHA CEU credit at no extra cost, a savings of up to $115 — ends July 31.
Are CEUs available? Yes. STAR Institute is an approved CEU provider for both AOTA and ASHA. CEU credit is included at no extra cost with Basic and Student Basic Early Bird tickets through July 31.
How do I contact STAR Institute with more questions? Email education@sensoryhealth.org or call 303-221-STAR (7827).
Ticket Options
🎟 Basic Ticket — $199 (Early Bird) The best value for the full symposium experience. Includes access to all live sessions, asynchronous presentations, 60-day on-demand recordings, presentation materials, CEU quizzes, and the event community space. AOTA/ASHA CEU credit is included at no extra cost during Early Bird — a savings of up to $115. Early Bird pricing ends July 31.
🎟 Student Basic Ticket — $99 All the benefits of the full symposium at a discounted rate. Includes live sessions, asynchronous presentations, 60-day on-demand recordings, presentation materials, and the event community space. Proof of current enrollment may be required.
🎟 Livestream Only — $75 A flexible, lower-cost option for attending live. Includes access to all live workshops and panels as they happen, plus presentation materials and handouts. Does not include asynchronous presentations, on-demand recordings, AOTA/ASHA CEU options, or the event community space. Access details will be sent by email 2 weeks before the event.
Group Discount
Register 5 or more participants in a group and automatically receive a 10% discount!
Use the promotional code SYMGROUP26 upon checkout to automatically receive the discount on 5 or more registrations.
If participants of the group must pay separately, please:
- Register all participants separately.
- Send the names of all participants in your group to Education Team at education@sensoryhealth.com by October 1, 2025.
- 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.
Continuing Education
Sensory Integration and Mental Health is designed for professionals who want more than a certificate — but we know continuing education hours matter too. An AOTA/ASHA CEU add-on is available at registration for an additional $90, giving you a straightforward path to credit without it getting in the way of the learning itself.
What's included with the CEU add-on:
- 1.6 AOTA CEUs (pending approval)
- CEU eligibility will be confirmed prior to the event
- ASHA credit eligibility
- Certificate of Completion
- Access to the ASHA CE Registry reporting process
Don't need CEUs? All registered participants receive a Certificate of Attendance at no additional cost — no quiz required.
Questions about continuing education? Contact us at education@sensoryhealth.org.
Attendance Policy
Symposium Basic Ticket Holders may join the conference at any time during the live broadcasts and/or view the recorded presentations for 60 days after the livestreamed event.
Please note:
- All participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance
- Access to Presentation Recordings - Recordings will be available from October 9, 2026, through December 8, 2026. Live sessions are scheduled for September 25 and October 9, 2026, with recordings uploaded incrementally after each session.
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 November 8, 2026
- 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 November 8, 2026
Cancellation Policy
Basic & Student Tickets Since this program is recorded and available for on-demand access, cancellations are generally not accepted. If you have questions or concerns, please contact education@sensoryhealth.org.
Livestream Only Tickets Cancellations for Livestream Only tickets must be submitted in writing to education@sensoryhealth.org at least 15 business days prior to the event. Cancellation requests received after this window will not be eligible for a refund.
Program Cancellation 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.