News and Updates

Everyone with an interest in sensory integration, be it from a scientific or a practical perspective, join us for three days of exploring state-of-the-art Sensory Integration theory and practice, while exploring the beauties of Vienna!   

If you are an occupational -, physical -, music -, or speech therapist, a psychologist or a physician -  particularly a  neuropediatrician or child psychiatrist -, an early interventionist, a preschool or school teacher, an  educator, a parent, or anyone who finds the topic of sensory integration fascinating: our scientific and social programs will offer plenty of opportunities for learning, empowerment, exchange, and networking.  See more.

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SI Network Emphasize Newsletter May 2016 - The A Word

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The latest issue of SensorNet magazine is now available. 

Download your free copy now.

Your colleagues and friends can also access SensorNet by joining the SI Network for free here.

The March 2016 Edition of SensorNet includes:

• A letter from the Chair - Rosalind Rogers, summarises the happenings from the SI Network since the last edition.
• The Big Interview: Dr. Sylvia Goh, newly appointed Sensory Integration Network Director of Postgraduate Education, talks to SensorNet about her motivation for learning.
• Yoga and Sensory Integration: Mel Campbell, Occupational Therapist, shares her learning about integrating Sensory Integration into her Yoga teaching.
• ASI 2020 Vision - Brief summary on where the project is at and how you can stay up to date on developments.
• Review of the International Coalition for Education in Ayres Sensory Integration (ICEASI) Conference 2016. We hear about the progress made during a recent meeting hosted in the UK.
• SI from around the world. How Sensory Integration theory and practice has evolved in Poland.
• Lecture Notes  - Lucy Taylor, a parent, shares her learning experience from a “Developmental Trauma” course.
• Sensory Integration Network Out and About – The events team provide us with a summary from the Children, Young People and Family’s (CYP&F) Conference.
• Learning from the students perspective. Una O Farrell, Irish Occupational Therapist, shares her final year research project with us.
• Research - Gemma Cartwright, Director of Researcher Development, provides us with an update on the recent Sensory Integration research from across the lifespan.  

Remember that the easy click-on links in the magazine will put you directly in touch with the editorial team and we welcome feedback and ideas for future editions.

Summary: This 2 day course explores using Ayres sensory integration therapy with children with autistic spectrum disorder.  

Audience: The course is aimed at Occupational Therapists.    

Length: 2 days - Registration will start from 8:45am. Course will start at 9.00am and finish at 4.30pm    

Fee:

Silver/Gold Member £370
Bronze Member Fee: Plus 25% or upgrade to paid membership
Instalment plan option available (4 x monthly payments of £92.50)
A light lunch is included. Accommodation is not included.

Lecturer:
Elisabeth Soechting - Occupational therapist, psychologist, PhD candidate; docent for the University of Southern California and the Austrian SI association GSIÖ; advanced practice certificate "Emerging as Leaders in Autism Research and Intervention" at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia (2012)

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Cerebral palsy describes a group of permanent disorders of the development of movement and posture causing activity limitation, resulting from changes in the brain before or during birth or in the child’s early years. Causes include accident, injury or infection. Cerebral Palsy is registered in approximately 3 in 1000 live births in developed countries. Approximately 10% of cases arise later.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is currently developing guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Cerebral Palsy (see Resources). In its draft scoping document Sensory ‘disturbances’ are noted, and among the interventions recognised is, “managing difficulties associated with the processing of sensory and perceptual information in children and young people with cerebral palsy”.

Because this is such an important area of emerging practice, in this month’s EmphaSIze we explore somatosensory, tactile, visual and vestibular processing in Cerebral Palsy in the selected articles. Featured equipment considers the impact of movement and tactile sensations on attention, and having opportunities for movement.

The apps include a virtual rollercoaster ride, shape drawing, a game, and a musical morning routine. Books include Sensory Stories, a text book, facts about Cerebral Palsy, and a novel about a boy with Cerebral Palsy.

Editor: Cathy Warne

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The Sensory Integration Network UK & Ireland is delighted to welcome Dr. Sylvia Taylor-Goh to its Board of Directors, in the pivotal role of Director of Postgraduate Education.

Dr. Taylor-Goh brings to the Board her experience in postgraduate and post-registration health education from a range of higher education settings and in a variety of roles. In addition, her PhD advancing knowledge of AHP clinical decision making (King’s College London), will inform how one understands the development of students as ASI practitioners across the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters courses in Sensory Integration.

As Director of Postgraduate Education, Dr. Taylor-Goh will lead a team of experienced and highly reputable clinical specialists in the area of Ayres Sensory Integration. She will be responsible to the Board for the planning, development and implementation of all of Sensory Integration Network’s postgraduate university accredited courses. She will work in collaboration with Ulster University, to deliver a high quality postgraduate, post registration, education programme and enrich the experience and learning of all SI Network students on accredited courses.

Dr. Taylor-Goh’s significant clinical, educational and publishing profile, combined with a strong interpersonal style, will also promote the overall work of the Sensory Integration Network.

She says, "I am delighted to be joining the board of the SI Network UK and Ireland. In my new role as Director of Postgraduate Education my aim is to promote excellence in both the provision and delivery of the post graduate courses and ensure relevance to clinical practice”

EmphaSIze Newsletter January 2016 - Eating Difficulties

Happy New Year

Eating and drinking are necessary aspects of daily life, and for many of us are enjoyable and culturally important activities too. For some people with sensory integration difficulties however, and also for their families and carers, mealtimes can be extremely stressful. See more.

With assistance from contributors to the Sensory Integration Network Feeding Difficulties Facebook page, this month we feature books that help problem solve mealtime struggles, two mealtime stories, articles that explore various sensory aspects of eating and drinking, apps that encourage experimentation with a wider range of food, some specialist equipment and some novelty items to help make mealtimes more enjoyable.

Editor: Cathy Warne

See more: EmphaSIze Newsletter January 2016 - Eating Difficulties

Join the SI Network for free: http://www.sensoryintegration.org.uk/join

Summary:  A one day practical guide for parents - promoting sensory integration and development through play and participation.  Audience:  Open to all  Length:  1 day - Registration will open at 9.15 am for a 9.30 am start. The course will finish at 4:30 pm.  Fee:  Fee: £150   Includes FREE Bronze annual membership  Instalment plan option available (2 x monthly payments of £75.00)  A light lunch is included. Accommodation is not included.  Lecturer:  Kath Smith, BSc OT, MBAOT, MOTIPP  Consultant Occupational Therapist

• Learn about the power of sensory integration.
  
• Understand how the senses promote development and participation.
  
• Consider how the senses underpin movement, emotional regulation, social communication and thinking skills.
  
• Explore ways to enhance development and learning through the senses in play.

Overview

Parenting through the Senses is an innovative combination of a crash course on the neuroscience of the brain, interactive group learning and support. It offers parents and carers the opportunity to learn together about how the brains’ ability to take in, process, integrate and respond to sensory inputs that are critical to everyday life and well-being. Group work will provide time to talk, share fears whilst generating new ideas and solutions to the challenges of everyday life.

While discovering their own unique sensory preferences, parents and carers will be learning to understand their children’s behaviours in terms of the neuroscience of development, attachment and play with clear underpinning in the theory of sensory integration; helping parents feel comfortable advocating about and creatively meeting their children’s and family's sensory needs, exploring practical ideas and ways to do this at home, school and out and about.

Date: 27th February 2016

Venue: London

Fee: £150

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SI Module 4 is the final hurdle of the SI Modular Pathway to achieve that long-awaited Advanced Practitioner status.

Back in September, we took the opportunity at the ESIC Friday night dinner, to make a moment of professional celebration for the new graduates who this year successfully completed module 4 of the SI Network Modular Pathway.

Their hard work and efforts all paid off and they have now achieved official status as Sensory Integration Network Advance Practitioners - an outstanding achievement!

Jo Elliott, Susan Brown, Gina Daley, Laura Graham, Lynn Herbert, Jannine Laverie, Julie Martell, Nicole Southon and Jane Woodburn all managed to attended the ESIC dinner to collect their certificates and they received huge applause from all of the congress delegates.

A couple of the girls were also acknowledged for their outstanding results on the course: Susan Brown received the Postgraduate Certificate award for the highest marks across modules 1 and 2/3. Whilst Gina Daly (also a newly appointed SensorNet editor) received the Postgraduate Diploma award for highest marks across all 4 modules and the research modules.

Unfortunately, not all the graduates could make it to the event but of course we couldn’t forget you, so congrats to you all as well!

• Amanda (Sharon) Brown
  
• Melissa L Bautista
  
• Tracey Berresford
  
• Audrey Bullock
  
• Sheeba Devendran
  
• Elaine Doyle 
  
• Melanie Elliott
  
• Nicola Ford
  
• Helen Gilbert
  
• Christine Heasman
  
• Anne-Laure Jackson
  
• Norma-Eve Koopman
  
• Eavan McCrudden
  
• Orla McDonagh
  
• Joan Medland
  
• Kate Moss
  
• Emma Parrott
  
• Natalie Power
  
• Mpho R Rabasha
  
• Kathryn Rowley
  
• Emma Shedlow
  
• Beth Smart
  

Well done to everyone for putting in such hard work this year!

Next stop the Postgraduate Diploma…?