EmphaSize February 2024: Transitions and Self Regulation
By Sensory Integration Education, 31 January 2024
Welcome to the February issue of EmphaSIze where this month we're focusing on Transitions and Self Regulation!
Transitions are an unavoidable part of everyday life and successfully managing transitions is a crucial life skill. However managing all kinds of transitions from breaking off one task to start another to switching classes at school between lessons, moving home or adapting to changes in the seasons (often requiring different clothing) can be challenging for individuals with sensory issues. The ability to navigate these transitions successfully often relies on self-regulation.
So in this month’s newsletter, we've put together useful information, research, articles, books, and product ideas that look at how to better manage transitions and the role self-regulation plays in this.
News & Features
Save the Date for Next Month's Sensory Spotlight Talk!
We’re excited to bring you news of a new series of online events we’re launching this year: our quarterly Sensory Spotlight Talks! These quarterly talks will be presented by a leading name in the field, offering you exclusive access to innovative, inspiring ideas and practices. The first Sensory Spotlight Talk takes place on 12th March and will be presented by the sought-after author, speaker and Occupational Therapist Dr Varleisha Lyons.
In this session, Dr Varleisha will be doing a deep-dive into the signs, symptoms and evidence-based intervention approaches and strategies for working with the diagnosis of ADHD. Attendees will be provided with activities and worksheets to assist in intervention planning and tools to assess their own clients' needs.
You are invited to join us live online or you can access the recording at your convenience. If you are a member of the Lifelong Learning Programme, this is included in your pass, or you can buy this individual course for £69. More details can be found here.
Self-Regulation and Sensory Integration
The association between sensory integration difficulties and self-regulation has long been of interest to SI therapists. Self-regulation occurs within our central nervous system and includes our ability to consciously and automatically regulate our emotions, stress response, alertness, and attention. It’s the conscious element of self-regulation which means we can learn strategies to improve focus or help to keep us calm or alert.
In this blog post, we look at the relationship between self-regulation and sensory integration and the role SI therapy can play in supporting an individual's ability to self-regulate.
Are You Eligible for a Place on our SI High Fliers Scholarship Scheme?
We’re delighted to announce that our first SI High Fliers Scholarship place for 2024 will be awarded next month. If you're not already familiar with our SI High Fliers Scholarship scheme, we launched this initiative last year in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University.
The scheme enables top graduates in occupational therapy, physiotherapy or speech and language therapy* to qualify as SI Practitioners for a nominal fee of £600 - saving over two thousand pounds each and this year we are offering one Scholarship place for each of our three annual intakes.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the scholarship scheme, click here for further details. The deadline for applying for a scholarship applicable to the April 2024 intake is 2pm on 1st March 2024 and the winner will be informed by 4pm that same day.
* Eligibility criteria to apply for a SI Highfliers Scholarship place can be found here.
Thoughts from a Therapist: The Role of Gaming in SI Sessions
In this month’s Thoughts from a Therapist article, Anna Willis, Occupational Therapist and Advanced Practitioner in Sensory Integration, looks at the role of gaming when planning Sensory Integration (SI) sessions for her younger clients.
The Interplay of Regulation, Relationships and Sensory Processing: Impact on Function and Participation
This is a throwback article from our January 2020 edition of SensorNet and focuses on the thought-provoking topic of the Interplay of Regulation, Relationships and Sensory Processing.
Written by Virginia Spielmann, Executive Director, STAR Institute for Sensory Processing, the article looks at the role of the Sensory Integration therapist and how the end goal of sensory integration therapy is more than an absence of dysfunctional sensory processing and integration – it also concerns psychological well-being or ‘flourishing’.
Also see:
What is AuDHD? It took me 25 years to get diagnosed
Liverpool John Lennon Airport opens sensory space near departure lounge
New evidence highlights a serious flaw in our perception of autism
Exmouth: Drake's Primary School turns shed into sensory area
Resources
We've curated guides, tutorials, books and products to help individuals with their self-regulation and better manage transitions, no matter how big or small, including:
- Sensory Self Regulation: A Critical Skill for Kids with Sensory ‘Issues’
- Emotional and Self-Regulation for Kids
- Teen Sensory Kit Bag
- Sensory Rocker Board
- Children’s Pod Swing Seat Chair
See our latest resources ideas here.
SI Research Digest
Easy-to-read summaries of all the latest SI research papers, as well as key papers on our theme of self-regulation and managing transitions. Click here to view the summaries of the research and access the direct links to the published papers, including:
- Rhythm and Movement Delivered by Teachers Supports Self-regulation Skills of Preschool-aged Children in Disadvantaged Communities: A Clustered RCT
- Calming Effects of Repetition in Music for Children with Sensory Sensitivities: Findings from Two Experimental Studies
-
Shared and Distinct Biological Mechanisms for Anxiety and Sensory Over-responsivity in Youth with Autism Versus Anxiety Disorders
Upcoming Lifelong Learning Programme Webinars
Signing up to the Lifelong Learning Programme gives you access to live webinars that take place throughout the year covering a broad range of SI-related topics. Below is a snapshot of the live webinars coming up or click here to view a summary of all the upcoming live events:
- Self Regulation: Application of Top Down and Bottom Up Intervention Grounded in Sensory Integrative Processing and Relationship – 8 February 2024
- Sensory Processing, Autism and Identity - 13 February 2024
- Sensory Spotlight Talk: ADHD Specialty Topic: Current Research and Intervention Approaches - 12 March 2024
-
Sensory Informed Engagement in Mental Health – 22 March 2024
Latest Job Listings
Are you thinking of making a career move this year? Check out the latest job listings including:
- Occupational Therapist or Speech and Language Therapist who would like to train in Ayres® Sensory Integration, MindSenseAbility, Lymington, UK
- Occupational Therapist, Remarkable Autism, Newton-Le-Willows, UK
- Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Side by Side Special School, Hackney, London, UK
- Paediatric Occupational Therapist, Therapy4Kids, London, UK
Discounts & Special Offers
We've negotiated these exciting discounts for our SIE family!
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE20 for 10% discount on Southpaw orders up to £100. Orders must be placed by phone on +44 (0) 115 718 0020.
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE15 for 15% discount on sensooli.com (Excludes membership and advent boxes).
FREE delivery and set-up (worth up to £250, England and Wales only) on purchases of the omiVista+ and a FREE interactive ball games package worth up to £500. To access this special offer, mention you are an SIE Member when placing your order with OMI.
5% DISCOUNT on purchases of 3 items or more. Orders must be placed by phone and mention you are an SIE member to access this special offer when you are placing your order.
Please quote DISCOUNT CODE SIE2210 for 10% discount when ordering from the online Sensory Smart Store.
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Best wishes,
Sensory Integration Education
NB: Sensory Integration Education is not responsible for the content on external websites. Sharing a resource does not imply endorsement by Sensory Integration Education.
