The Spiral Foundation at OTA-Watertown

News

In loving memory of Jane Koomar:

In Memoriam

Save the Date! June 7-9, 2013

Two Training Programs:

Goal Attainment Scaling as a Meaningful Outcome Measure for Sensory Integration: A Training Program

&

Fidelity to Ayres Sensory Integration Intervention

Presented by: Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

Practitioners! Take our survey on deep touch pressure techniques and modalities. Click here to take survey

Russian translations, the latest addition to the Spiral website! Check out our "How do I know?" checklists which help parents identify the need for further assessment of infants, pre-schoolers, school-aged children and adults. We're also looking for volunteer translators so we can offer resources to more people.

Resources

Check out Dr. May-Benson's TV interview on Spiral's research on the effectiveness of the Integrated Listening System. Results were also presented in San Diego at the Autism Society conference.

Our study shows iLs Therapy is linked to improved listening. See survey details here.

Need toy ideas? Check out our toy list for sensory based games and activities. Toy List!

Stay Connected!

Donate to support our research!

Resources

Contact us at:

The Spiral Foundation
74 Bridge Street

Newton, MA 02458
(617) 969-4410 ext. 240
info@thespiralfoundation.org

Welcome to the Spiral Foundation

An SPD Resource for Parents and Professionals.

Check out Spiral's upcoming courses:

For Professionals:

Two Training Programs:

Goal Attainment Scaling as a Meaningful Outcome Measure for Sensory Integration: A Training Program

&

Fidelity to Ayres Sensory Integration Intervention

Presented by

Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

June 7-9, 2013

Goal Attainment Scaling as a Meaningful Outcome Measure for Sensory Integration

This course presents an in-depth look at Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) methodology and its application as a functional outcome measure for occupational therapy using a sensory integration approach. This training program will present theoretical and practical information needed to prepare therapists for the use of the GAS methodology for both clinical and research applications.

Fidelity to Ayres Sensory Integration®

Outcomes research on a specific type of intervention must define the intervention including theory, principles and methods and then ensure that the intervention provided during the study is faithful to the description. The Fidelity Measure of Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) intervention is a reliable and valid tool that summarizes the essential structural and process elements of therapeutic practice using sensory integration theory and methods. During this workshop, participants will learn the essential elements of ASI Intervention as delineated in the ASI Fidelity Measure and learn to use this tool to improve research and practice.

TUITION

Registration Early Bird by 5-24-13 After 5-24-13

Fidelity (1 1/2 days)* $275.00 $300.00

GAS (1 day) $200.00 $250.00

Both (2 1/2 days) $425.00 $450.00

*Fidelity course registration includes $50.00 fee for fidelity scoring and certificate of fidelity reliability.

Note: Cancellation policy - Tuition, minus a $25.00 administrative fee, will be refunded if written cancellation is received no later than May 30, 2013. No refunds after this date.

CLICK for more information

REGISTER before the Early Bird Special Rate ends!!!

For Parents:

"Parent Speak" for Children with Autism"

A Two-Week Parent Educational Program: Helping You Tap into Your Child's Communication Needs

Presented by Elizabeth Deutsch, MS, CC-SLP

May 20/23 & June 3/6 2013 7-8:30PM

Join us for ANY or ALL dates: May 20th / May 23rd and June 3rd / June 6th, 2013

This program is appropriate for parents, teachers and paraprofessionals (6 contact hours or the equivalent in AOTA CEUs available).

This Two-week language-based educational program supports parents and paraprofessionals who work with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Topics to be discussed at length include social skills, play skills, sensory integration as it relates to language development, and executive functioning. Successful strategies used to support language and communication at varying levels will be presented.

Parents will create a "make and take" project to support their child’s current level of development as related to the topics discussed. As part of each workshop, parents will also be given a binder containing key articles and materials to bring home.

Sensory Integration and Autism, Monday, May 20, 2013

Strategies to Support Executive Function, Thursday, May 23, 2013

Play Skills in the Lives of Children with Autism, Monday, June 3, 2013

Enhancing Social Skills in Children with Autism, Thursday, June 6, 2013

Each session is presented at OTA-Watertown from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and earns 1.5 contact hours for paraprofessionals. Total contact hour credit for attendance at the entire workshop is 6hours.

Full Workshop, Individual: $200
Full Workshop, Parent Couple: $250
Single lecture, Individual: $60
Single lecture, Parent Couple: $75

Group rates for paraprofessionals, please contact courses@thespiralfoundation.org or call Andrea at 617-969-4410 ext. 231

2013 Parent Support Group

"Dealing with Friends and Family"

Allison Andrews, PsyD. & Melanie Salort, OTR/L

Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Cost: $10 (FREE for spouses!)

Time: 7-8 p.m.

Location: OTA The Koomar Center,

74 Bridge Street, Newton MA 02458

How do you explain SPD? Does everyone get it? Are the grandparents on board? Join us for a chance to talk about how friends and family help and hinder our jobs as parents.

Register Now!

For Professionals:

Evening Overview:

Playgrounds and Playdates

Date: Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Cost: $25

Time: 7-8:30 p.m.

Location: OTA The Koomar Center,

74 Bridge Street, Newton MA 02458

The evening lecture will discuss practical strategies to facilitate children’s successful engagement with peers on the playground and during playdates. Strategies for selecting a sensory-friendly playground will be detailed as well.

Register Now!

"LiveTalk" Evening with the Experts:

"Neurobytes - Foundations of Praxis"

with Sharon Cermak, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Date: Monday, June 10, 2013

Cost: $25

Time: 7-8:00 p.m. EST

Location: Anywhere! You call from a phone or chat

via a computer. Instructions for calling into the chat will be

provided upon registration.

This "LiveTalk" will discuss the neurology and functions of the praxis system. We will discuss the functions and roles of sensory inputs, motor planning and other praxis functions in motor performance. In addition, we will discuss the relationship between praxis and developmental coordination disorder.

2013 "LiveTalk" Neurobytes Series

Purchase all 8 chats for only $150!!!

•Understanding the Visual System

•Unraveling the Auditory System

•What is the Proprioceptive System

•The Role of the Limbic System

•Demystifying the Vestibular System

•Understanding the Role of the Tactile System

•Foundations of Praxis

•The Power of the Cerebellum

**"LiveTalk" is a phone-in session giving therapists the chance to chat with an expert, hear strategies and ask questions from the convenience of home.**

REGISTER NOW!

Quarterly Webinar Series:

Foundations of Handwriting

Date: Monday, June 17, 2013

Cost: $50

Time: 12-1:30 p.m.

Location: OTA The Koomar Center,

74 Bridge Street, Newton MA 02458

Interested in the foundational hand skills needed for handwriting? This professional version of our popular Evening Lecture for parents will present information on hand skills, foundations of handwriting and practical treatment activities.

2013: What's Up and Coming???

(Registration opens approximately 2 weeks prior)

Parent Support Groups:

Wednesday - 7:00-8:00pm EST

Cost: $10 (FREE for spouses!)

June 26: Getting Ready for Summer: As stressful as the school year is for many kids, it still provides a level of structure and support. Connect with other parents and talk about getting ready for the summer.

Co-Facilitated by Melanie Salort, OTR/L

Quarterly Webinar Series:

Monday 12:00-2:30pm EST

Cost: $65

August 26: The Art of Sensory Integration Therapy-This webinar is an essential for any therapist providing sensory integration intervention. Learn the art of sensory integration therapy and the essentials of providing this intervention.

October 10: Clinical Observations: Administration and Interpretation - A Jean Ayres developed a series of structured clinical observations which are routinely used by occupational therapists using a sensory integration frame of reference for their assessments. This webinar will demonstrate how to administer these clinical observations and how to interpret your findings.