Overview

Occupational therapy practitioners support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to improve engagement and participation in their daily lives. When addressing the occupational needs of individuals with IDD one must consider cognition, communication, neuromuscular function, mental health, and sensory processing (Kripke, 2018). 

While sensory processing and sensory integration are critical areas to consider when addressing occupational performance, there is limited focus on the sensory needs of adults with IDD.  Sensory integration is fundamental for participation in social activities, motor tasks, learning, and activities of daily living (Schaaf et al., 2015). 

This course will discuss the evaluation methods and intervention techniques to address sensory processing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Specific interventions related to adults with IDD will be discussed including assistive technology, adaptive equipment, individualized sensory diets/home exercise programs, environmental modifications, and education to enhance occupational participation in the home, community, work, and educational settings. 

Various treatment models including direct services, education and training, and consultative models will be discussed to effectively address sensory processing needs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Objectives

1. Define sensory processing within the context of adult populations 
2. Discuss evaluation methods for addressing sensory processing needs in adults with IDD 
3. Discuss models of service including direct services, education and training, and consultative models when addressing sensory processing for adults with IDD
4. Describe specific interventions for adults with IDD to address sensory processing needs. 

Learning Outcomes

• Participants will describe the sensory processing needs of adults with developmental disabilities.
• Participants will explain the evaluation processes including specific assessment tools used to evaluate sensory processing in adults with developmental disabilities.
• Participants will identify intervention strategies to address the sensory processing needs of adults with developmental disabilities.