Mentoring in The Art of Therapy:
Promoting motivation, engagement, and fun

A Conversation with Sarah Sawyer, MA, OTR/L

  • Moderated by Robyn Carreras, 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 hour or 0.1 AOTA CEUs
  • AOTA Areas: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery: Evaluation, Intervention and Outcomes. Foundational Knowledge: Human Body, Development, and Behavior.

  • Audience: OT, PT, SLP, OTA, PTA, Educator, Parent
  • Completion Requirements: To earn contact hours or AOTA CEUs for this course participants must view the talk in its entirety, and successfully complete the accompanying quiz.

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Course overview

Motivation, engagement, and fun are important components of any child-centered occupational therapy intervention. Research indicates that intervention is most successful when therapy activities are intrinsically motivating, and that when clients perceive therapy as fun, they are more likely to engage in therapy activities, practice new skills, and make progress towards their goals. In this LiveTalk, we will discuss the critical roles of motivation, engagement, and fun in Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI), among features that distinguish this method from other sensorimotor approaches. Our speaker-mentor will discuss factors that influence client participation in ASI and share strategies to promote motivation, engagement, and fun, with an emphasis on the role of play and use of playfulness as a therapeutic tool.

References are provided.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

Describe the relationship between motivation, engagement, and outcomes in occupational therapy intervention.

Understand the various factors that affect client participation in Ayres Sensory Integration®.

Identify playfulness strategies for promoting motivation, engagement, and fun in Ayres Sensory Integration®.

Sarah Sawyer, MA, OTR/L
Guest Speaker

Sarah is President of the Board of the SPIRAL Foundation and Clinical Director at OTA The Koomar Center, one of the largest occupational therapy practices in the country and a model site for sensory integration. She has extensive clinical experience working with children and families. Sarah began her career in the United Kingdom working with children, adolescents and adults with Sensory Processing Dysfunction (SPD) across home, school and clinic-based settings. In 2003 Sarah was awarded the Elizabeth Casson Trust Scholarship from Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK, to attend Tufts University to complete her post-professional masters. Her thesis focused on therapists’ clinical reasoning. Sarah has broad experience evaluating and treating individuals with SPD and has specialized training in listening therapies, feeding therapies and visual vestibular difficulties and DIR® Floortime Approach. Sarah 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. As well as overseeing the day-to-day running of the clinic, Sarah regularly shares her experiences through mentoring and presentations to educational facilities and other professionals broadening understanding of sensory processing and sensory integration therapy.

Robyn A Carreras, MS, OTR/L
Moderator

Robyn is a seasoned occupational therapist with over 15 years of experience specializing in sensory integration therapy. As the moderator for the SPIRAL Foundation’s Live Talk Series, Robyn brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in facilitating discussions on sensory integration. Her passion for advocacy and education in the field of occupational therapy makes her an invaluable asset to this series.

Disclosure: Robyn is a paid member of SPIRAL staff, she is compensated for these talks as part of her regular duties. Guest speakers generously donate their time and are not compensated.
ADA/Section 504: If you require special accommodations, please contact courses@thespiralfoundation.org
Cancellation Policies: Available here

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

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