Sensory Integration and Mental Health: Addressing Challenging Times with Children through Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE)
A Conversation with
Dan Hughes, Ph.D & Sarah Sawyer, MA, OTR/L
-
Moderated by Erin Flynn, MS, OTR/L
-
Level: Introductory
-
Access: All parts of the course, including assignments, must be completed within a 7 week viewing window.
-
Contact Hours: 1.0 contact hours or 0.1 AOTA CEUs
-
AOTA Areas: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery: Evaluation, Intervention and Outcomes.
-
Audience: OT, OTA, PT, PTA, SLP, Psychologist, Educator, Parent
-
Completion Requirements: To earn contact hours or AOTA CEUs for this course participants must view this course in its entirety, and successfully complete the quiz accompanying each lesson.
Attachment (the affectionate relationship that binds a child to a parent or caregiver) and sensory processing (the ability to take in information from our worlds and stay regulated and able to perform our daily activities) are critical for building a foundation for subsequent emotional development in children. Using this framework, Jane Koomar, Ph.D, OTR/L, FAOTA, founder of the SPIRAL Foundation and clinical psychologist Daniel Hughes, Ph.D. worked together to increase awareness of the importance of these dynamics in early childhood. Together, Jane and Dan developed “SAFE PLACE.” Within this model is the PACE module which aids in the ability to develop strong interconnected relationships as the basis for all other parts of development through Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. Dan Hughes and Sarah Sawyer, president of SPIRAL Foundation and Clinical Director at OTA The Koomar Center, will join us for a discussion on how therapists and families can use the therapeutic PACE approach to help their clients and children through traumatic times. We will also have Dan give his perspective on how to talk to our clients and children about stressful events.
References are provided.
Learning Objectives
Understand the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy model
Apply Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy in interactions with clients and families
Identify strategies to discuss stressful topics with children
Guest Speaker
Dr. Hughes, is a clinical psychologist with a limited practice in South Portland, Maine. He founded and developed Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), the treatment of children who have experienced abuse and neglect and who demonstrate ongoing problems related to attachment and trauma. This treatment occurs in a family setting and the treatment model has expanded to become a general model of family treatment. He has spent over 40 years helping children and youth reach their full potential and reconnect with others in their lives. He is engaged in extensive training and supervision in the certification of therapists in his treatment model, along with ongoing consultation to various agencies and professionals. He is a member of the American Psychological Association. He is also president of the Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Institute (DDPI) which is responsible for the certification of professionals in DDP. Dan has authored many books including Attachment-Focused Parenting (2009), Attachment-Focused Family Therapy Workbook (2011) and, with Jon Baylin, Brain-Based Parenting (2012) and The Neurobiology of Attachment-Focused Therapy (2016).
Guest Speaker
Sarah is the Clinical Director at OTA The Koomar Center and president of the board of the SPIRAL Foundation. Sarah has extensive experience working with individuals with SPD and their families. She has a particular interest in working with and supporting the families of neurodiverse individuals. Sarah is also passionate in supporting individuals and families that have experienced trauma and has collaborated with a number of colleagues to support the development of the role of OT in mental health and specifically the intersection of sensory processing, trauma and attachment. Sarah regularly shares her experiences through mentoring and presentations to educational facilities and other professionals broadening understanding of sensory processing and sensory integration therapy.
Erin is a certified and licensed occupational therapist and registered with NBCOT with a specialty in pediatrics. She received her MS in occupational therapy from Sacred Heart University and a BA in psychology from College of the Holy Cross. She has worked with children in a variety of settings including public/private schools and Boys & Girls Clubs and has run community-based parent/child sensory motor groups. She is certified in the Program of Essential Competencies in Sensory Integration. She is also trained in the SOS oral motor program, iLs: Integrated Listening Systems home programming, and trauma informed care. She completed the Infant Parent Mental Health Fellowship program at UMass Boston in 2019. She is on the IRB board of SPIRAL Foundation and is a former SPIRAL Foundation Education Coordinator. Being a parent herself, Erin is passionate about working with children and their parents to build positive relationships and understanding.
Continuing Education: Occupational Therapy Practitioners/ Occupational Therapy Assistants: SPIRAL Foundation is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants by the American Occupational Therapy Association. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA