Sensory Integration Education

Dr. Aimee Piller, PhD, OTR/L, BCP, is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist in the USA. She is the Owner/Director of Clinical Services in Piller Child Development, LLC and has been recently appointed as the AOTA Sensory Integration and Processing SIS Chairperson. We caught up with Dr. Piller to discuss her new role and her future plans for the special interest group. Being aware of special interest groups locally and internationally allows us to stay connected and most importantly it provides us with up to date information with regards to recent developments within the field of sensory integration. 

SensorNet: Can you tell us about the AOTA Sensory Integration & Processing Special Interest Section (SIPSIS)? What is its function and purpose? 

Aimee Piller: The purpose of the ATOA SIPSIS is to provide a liaison  for occupational therapy practitioners to communicate with the AOTA and for AOTA to communicate with practitioners.  It is an essential part of connecting practitioners together that have similar interests and practice areas and with the larger national organization of AOTA.  It provides a forum for occupational therapist and occupational therapy assistants to connect with other occupational therapy professionals with similar interests and practice areas for support, community, and collaboration. 

SN: You have recently been appointed chair of the group – what will your goals be for this coming term? 

Aimee Piller: 

• Represent sensory integration and sensory based treatment with fidelity to occupational therapy practitioners and promote the theory and intervention as an important way to supporting participation within clients.  

• Promote the unique role of occupational therapy practitioners in the implementation of sensory integration and sensory based interventions within the interprofessional team. 

• Share high quality evidence with practitioners on the efficacy and effectiveness of sensory-related disorders and sensory-based treatment.  

• Expand member engagement with other SIS groups and AOTA. 

SN: Tell us more about the current SIPSIS position? 

Aimee Piller: I came into this position after serving as the technology coordinator for the SIPSIS last term.  I am happy to bring my past experience with the SIPSIS to the leadership of the SIS.  As the SIPSIS coordinator, I help our group of eight individuals meet our goals to support practitioners, connect AOTA with practitioners, and help foster the community of occupational therapy practitioners interested in sensory integration and processing.  

SN: What main projects and priorities will the Sensory Integration & Processing Special Interest Section (SIPSIS) be focusing on for the next number of months? 

Aimee Piller: Over the next few months we will be focusing on sharing resources with our members.  We have developed a number of sensory graphics that provide information regarding sensory processing and sensory integration in an easily visible format. We have also worked to begin an online discussion of relevant sensory processing research via CommunOT (AOTA’s forum) to share published evidence and discuss how this can be applied to practice.  We will continue to post 1-2 articles a month to help provide practitioners high levels of evidence that are easily accessible.  We will also be hosting our first Practice Chat that will allow us to connect with members via an online format to discuss occupational therapy practice needs related to sensory processing. 

SN: Where do you feel the field of SI practice is at currently both within the US and internationally and where do you foresee the greatest changes occurring in this area of practice? 

Aimee Piller: It is exciting to see how sensory integration practice continues to grow and change to meet the needs of our clients. So many consumers of occupational therapy see the benefits of SI and are seeking out SI services. I see us continuing to gather more evidence as to the effectiveness of SI and continue to add to the growing body of evidence that supports the importance of SI in promoting participation.  We have all experienced quite a year of unanticipated changes that SI therapists have adapted to very well. While we have faced challenges in implementing sensory interventions in new settings, we continue to hold on to the key principles of client-centred, play-based, and adaptation. As a result we will continue to expand our practice to new areas to ensure we are able to reach as many clients as possible with high quality services. 

SN: In 2021, COVID19 continues to be a significant challenge within practice – can the SIPSIS offer any advice on how practice should or could be adapted to cope with these in times? 

Aimee Piller: I am continually amazed at the ability of occupational therapists to adapt and thrive in any situation. Our focus on being client-centered allows us to filter out distractions and focus on what is best for our clients.  We have gathered several resources for practitioners to help adapt and modify interventions to fit the needs within a virtual therapy session.  We also recognize the need to promote active sensory experiences for all children as we face more time in our homes rather than in community activities.  It is important for us to continue to adapt our commonly used interventions to be used in various environments and develop new methods for implementation of sensory interventions to meet the unique needs of our clients. 

SN: There is a strong committee on the SIPSIS – Who are the committee members and what are their roles? 

Aimee Piller: The committee is made up of a strong team of members which include the following: 

• Advocacy and Policy Coordinator: Lisa Johnson, OTD, MHS, OTR/L, University of Findlay

• Leadership and Management Coordinator: Lauren Andelin, OTD, OTR/L, Virginia Commonwealth University 

• Professional Development Coordinator: Amanda Wiles, MS, OTR/L, University of Southern California  

• Quarterly Editor: Jennifer Hight, M.S. OTD, OTR/L, Eastern Kentucky University

• Research coordinator: Elizabeth Kocher, MOT, OTR/L, Lorain County ESC

• Technology coordinator: Jayna Niblock PhD, OTD, OTR/L, BCP, Blank Pediatric Hospital

• Young Professionals Coordinator: Krysti Teng, MS, OTR/L, Center for Developing Kids

SN: There are two important resources shared by the group – the quarterly practice connections publication and the Sensory Integration & Processing forum – what can members expect from both of these resources? 

Aimee Piller: The quarterly practice connection provides a way for members to connect and read valuable resources related to applying evidence to practice.  The SIPSIS provides an article each quarter with a focus on sensory processing and integration under the umbrella of the larger theme of the publication.  Topics are varied but include ways to utilize evidence-based SI interventions within practice. Topics include interprofessional practice, technology and SI, women’s health and sensory processing, etc.  The Sensory Integration & Processing forum is a way for any member of AOTA to share information or questions related to sensory processing and sensory integration.  It is a place to brainstorm ideas, collaborate, share resources, and support one another in practice.  

We wish to thank Dr. Piller for taking the time to do this interview. We met and connected with Dr. Piller during the AOTA conference in New Orleans in 2019, and we look forward to meeting again in the near future. 

Dr. Aimee Piller,PhD, OTR/L, BCP, is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist in the USA. She is the Owner/Director of Clinical Services in Piller Child Development, LLC and she has been recently appointed as the AOTA Sensory Integration and Processing SIS Chairperson. We caught up with Dr. Piller to discuss her new role and her future plans for the special interest group. Being aware of the various special interest groups both at home and internationally is very important, as it provides us with an opportunity to stay connected and most important up to date with the most recent developments within the field of sensory integration.