Educational Series on Sensory Processing Differences and Sensory-Related Responses: An Occupational Therapy Perspective to Promote Caregiver Understanding

The objective of this doctoral capstone was to create and conduct a five-part online educational series for caregivers of children ages 0-5 about the impact sensory processing differences (SPD) has on occupational participation and performance, as well as how to navigate sensory-related responses (SRRs) on a daily basis. SPD and SRRs are complex topics commonly talked about on a graduate level as it requires knowledge of the nervous system and child development. Caregiver resources on SPD and SRRs are difficult to obtain and may not present the information appropriately for varying health literacy levels. This leads many caregivers to have little to no knowledge about SPD and how it affects their child across their daily occupations. This often leads to difficulties with navigating their child’s SRRs to daily sensory stimuli, or even mistaking their child’s responses as misbehavior. Through formal educational PowerPoint lectures, caregivers were educated on varying occupational domains, the impact SPD on their child’s occupational performance and participation, and strategies to navigate their child’s SRRs related to these occupational domains. Caregivers reported that they valued learning more about SPD, about their child through a sensory processing perspective, and strategies to help support their child through daily occupations. Pre- and post-course scores indicated an increase in caregiver understanding for this particular sample at this outpatient clinic; however, due to a small sample size and other limitations, further research is warranted in order to fully understand the efficacy and effectiveness of this educational series.