Autism will be the focus at a seminar hosted by Jefferson College of Health Professions' Department of Occupational Therapy on Friday, June 17, 2005 at Thomas Jefferson University in center city Philadelphia.

The workshop, “Sensory Integration: Updates in Theory and Practice, Focus on Autism,” will provide occupational therapists, physical therapists, other professionals and parents with practical strategies for using sensory integration with children who have autism. Sensory integration, or the ability to understand and deal with sensory stimulation, is something that most people take for granted. But children with autism and other developmental delays often experience dysfunction in which sensory input is not integrated or organized appropriately by the brain. Updates in sensory integration theory and practice will be presented through lecture, videos and case examples. As a result of the workshop, therapists will develop practical strategies to enhance their clinical reasoning. Parents will gain a greater understanding of how sensory issues affect their child's behavior and identify “sensational strategies” to help their child.

The main instructor for the day will be Roseann C. Schaaf, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, vice chairman and director of graduate programs in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Jefferson College of Health Professions and project director for Sensory Integration Laboratory, also located at Jefferson . Dr. Schaaf will be joined by Lisa L. Mulrooney, MS, OTR/L, an expert in the application of sensory integration principles in school systems. Ms. Mulrooney will bring her expertise and practical strategies for working with teachers and children.

Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA, author and expert in Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), will make a special guest appearance. “Certainly, we are very fortunate and excited to have Ms. Kranowitz, the author of the popular book, The Out-of-Sync Child ,” said Dr. Schaaf. As a music, movement and drama teacher for 25 years, Ms. Kranowitz observed many preschoolers who had difficulty focusing. To help them become more competent in their work and play, she learned to help identify their needs and to steer them into early intervention.

The proceeds from the seminar will be used to support the research on sensory processing in children with autism that Dr. Schaaf conducts at Thomas Jefferson University. This research investigates how the nervous system of a child with autism responds to various sensory stimuli, and how this impacts on their ability to participate in daily life activities such as play, school and community activities.

The workshop costs $200 and will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on June 17 in room 101 of Jefferson's Bluemle Life Sciences Building, 233 S. 10th Street, Philadelphia . For more information about the workshop or the Sensory Integration Lab contact Teal Benevides at 215-503-5709 ortxw131@jefferson.edu or Eneida Nieves at 215-503-8010 or eneida.nieves@jefferson.edu.

Media Contact:
Kelly Carlucci
PR/Publications Associate
Jefferson College of Health Professions
215-503-1918
kelly.carlucci@jefferson.edu

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