Project Description
Sensory difficulties can have a negative impact on daily function (Miller et al., 2009). There is significant evidence that approximately 62% of children who experienced a traumatic event also have sensory difficulties (Yochman & Pat-Horenczyk, 2020). A sensory group proposal was created for children affected by trauma. The proposal contains relevant evidence demonstrating the need for a group, a week-by-week outline, a budget, and marketing materials. Occupational therapists use ASI intervention to help the child gain confidence and competence to participate in meaningful everyday activities such as play, school, and home (O’Brien & Kuhaneck, 2020). this project provides guidance on best practices for intervention and documentation when performing Ayres Sensory Integration for new occupational therapy practitioners. This is evidenced by a case scenarios worksheet, a step-by-step guide to sensory intervention, and an intervention/documentation reference guide. Many occupational therapists do not feel competent in starting a new business as there are no curriculum requirements for business education from AOTA (Coppard et al., 2018). This doctoral capstone supports occupational therapy business owners by providing effective marketing strategies and tools to identify their ideal clients and how to build a relationship with them. As a whole, this project provides unique expertise regarding business ownership, developing a group, providing sensory interventions, and efficient documentation.
Needs Assessment
- Many occupational therapists do not feel competent in starting a new business as there are no curriculum requirements for business education from AOTA (Coppard et al., 2018). In a survey conducted by Coppard et al. showed that 162 occupational therapists wanted more knowledge and education regarding billing (72.8%), technology (40.9%), human resources (33.3%), business management (26.3%), and marketing (25.7%) (2018).
- Many healthcare professionals have a lack of knowledge about what occupational therapy is and the services that it provides (Bhardwaj et al., 2022). Mani and Velan surveyed 116 physicians about how familiar they were with occupational therapy; 50% of physicians surveyed said they had heard of occupational therapy, and 18% were not familiar with occupational therapy (2020).
- When the brain is unable to process this information, a child will become dysregulated, which can present in maladaptive behavioral responses (Fernandez-Prieto et al., 2021). Therefore, on the surface, healthcare professionals may see sensory difficulties as a behavioral problem because of how a child reacts to being dysregulated. Children who experience sensory difficulties often can’t access frontal lobe function when dysregulated (Lynch et al., 2021). This shows that children with sensory difficulties cannot respond to continual demands placed on the child with a behavioral approach.
Literature review
- Approximately 5-15% of children are affected by sensory difficulties (Ahn et al., 2004; Ben-Sasson et al., 2009). There is an increased prevalence of SPD with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and children affected by trauma (Galiana-Simal, 2020; Joseph et al., 2020).
- Occupational therapists have training in understanding the sensory needs of children and can educate stakeholders in understanding sensory needs and differences (Howard et al., 2020).
- Many children with sensory processing difficulties are in a constant stress state that may present as fight, flight, or freeze (Galiana-Simal et al., 2020). The longer the body is in a sympathetic state, the more harm is done to how the body receives and interprets feedback. (Van Der Kolk, 2015).
- In a survey of 465 occupational therapy students conducted by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (2023), 48% of respondents answered that they were strongly considering (19.4%) or somewhat considering (28.6%) owning their own business or becoming an entrepreneur.
- However, many occupational therapists do not feel competent in starting a new business as AOTA has no curriculum requirements for business education (Coppard et al., 2018).
Mission Statement
To promote the proactive health and well-being of children through the provision of best-practice sensory intervention for the reduction of occupational barriers impacted by sensory difficulties.
Vision Statement
A community confident in the importance of evidenced-based sensory intervention.
Project outcomes
Created a marketing strategy guide to urge occupational therapists to analyze markets and use effective marketing strategies to grow their occupational therapy business.
Proposed a sensory-based play group for trauma-affect children in Hilliard, OH, to enhance awareness of trauma’s effect on the body, give opportunities for trauma-affect children to gain important skills, and provide a potential increase in referrals for Sensory Savvy Kids.
Designed a documentation/intervention guide to support new occupational therapy practitioners in the pediatric setting.
Scored a passing grade on the ASI Fidelity Measure to show increased competence in providing best practice intervention to the pediatric population.
Reflection
Future Implication
Opportunity to support future employers with specialized knowledge of business and marketing principles.
Promote and provide best practice sensory-based intervention to children that are affected by sensory difficulties.
Raise awareness and advocate for the sensory needs of children affected by trauma.
Support new occupational therapists with resources to support evidence-based intervention and efficient documentation.