In this webinar, Dr. Shelby Surfas, O.T.D., O.T.R./L., Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy and Director of Occupational Therapy at the U.S.C. UCEDD, will discuss: - What is sensory processing? - How to identify signs that a person may need an occupational therapy (O.T.) assessment - How to get an assessment, and how to make the most out of the process - Signs an individual is benefiting from O.T.

1. 1
Welcome to the U.S.C. UCEDD Webinar Series
for Individuals with Disabilities & Parents
funded by grant #90DD0695 from
the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (A.I.D.D.)
Administration on Community Living
April 27, 2017

2. 2
Structure and Logistics
2
Take notes Type your questions
Download
slides
Watch and
Share
Take
Survey
During the Webinar
After the Webinar
Give your opinion

3. 3
Poll:
Can you hear Ivy and Dr. Surfas?
•3
Let us know in the chat box if we need
to speak louder.

4. 4
Your Moderator
4
Ivy Díaz
U.S.C. UCEDD Project Coordinator
ivdiaz@chla.usc.edu
www.uscucedd.org
The U.S.C. University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Children’s
Hospital Los Angeles (U.S.C. UCEDD) is one of 68 UCEDDs funded to promote systemic
change, advocacy, and capacity building in states on behalf of individuals with, or at risk for,
developmental, behavioral and/or special health care needs, and their families.
The U.S.C. UCEDD Webinar series is designed to educate the community about current policy
issues which impact the lives of people we serve and their families. Our primary audience is
individuals with special needs and their families. At this time, our webinars are in English only.
We are exploring methods to make this series available in other languages in the future.

5. 5
Occupational Therapy and
Sensory Processing
For People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Dr. Shelby Surfas, O.T.D., O.T.R./L.
Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy,
Director of Occupational Therapy at the U.S.C. UCEDD at CHLA
April 27, 2017
The views and opinions expressed in this presentation are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect
the views and opinions of the U.S.C. UCEDD or C.H.L.A.

6. About Dr. Shelby Surfas
Dr. Surfas holds leadership positions across interdisciplinary teams providing mental health
supports for underserved and culturally diverse populations. She has taught Pediatrics and Sensory
Integration Interventions, in the U.S.C. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational
Therapy, and provides frequent guest lectures along with continuing education courses in advance
practice for interdisciplinary approaches to sensory integration, autism and mental health.
6
Dr. Shelby Surfas, O.T.D., O.T.R./L., is an
Associate Professor of Clinical Occupational
Therapy and Director of Occupational Therapy
at the U.S.C. UCEDD at C.H.L.A.
ssurfas@chla.usc.edu
www.uscucedd.org

7. Overview of the Webinar
7
What Is
Occupational
Therapy?
What Is
Sensory
Processing?
Signs a Person
May Need an
O.T.
Assessment
Getting an
Assessment
Signs a
Person Is
Benefiting
from O.T.

8. 8
What is Occupational Therapy?
What Is
Occupational
Therapy?
What Is
Sensory
Processing?
Signs a Person
May Need an
O.T.
Assessment
Getting an
Assessment
Signs a
Person Is
Benefiting
from O.T.

9. Occupational Therapy
9
Screenshot captured, 2-29-2016:
http://www.aota.org/conference-events/otmonth/what-is-ot.aspx

10. Occupational Therapy
FUN FACTS
• #1 Job that Pays You to Play All Day
oCareerBuilder.com
• #1 Job that Robots Are
Least Likely to Take Over –
oBusiness Insider
10
http://chan.usc.edu/about-us/os-and-ot

11. 11
World Health Organization’s
Classification of Functioning,
Disability and Health (ICF, 2001)
Disability as an INTERACTION
….that may limit or promote
functioning including disease,
structure, activity (i.e. skill
performance), environment,
and participation.
Occupational Therapy
ENVIRONMENT
OCCUPATION
OCCUPATIONAL
PERFORMANCE
PERSON
Person-Environment-Occupation
Model of Practice (Law et al 1996)

12. 12
What Is Sensory Processing?
What Is
Occupational
Therapy?
What Is
Sensory
Processing?
Signs a Person
May Need an
O.T.
Assessment
Getting an
Assessment
Signs a
Person Is
Benefiting
from O.T.

13. Sensory Processing
We have seven sensory systems:
1. Auditory
2. Vestibular*
3. Tactile*
4. Proprioceptive*
5. Taste
6. Smell
7. Visual
13

14. Sensory Processing
Sensory integration means:
• perceiving
• modulating
• organizing
• interpreting sensations
for occupational performance
and participation.
14

15. Signs a Person
May Need an O.T. Assessment
15
What Is
Occupational
Therapy?
What Is
Sensory
Processing?
Signs a Person
May Need an
O.T.
Assessment
Getting an
Assessment
Signs a
Person Is
Benefiting
from O.T.

16. When O.T. Assessment May Be Needed
Occupational performance is limited due to:
1) OVER sensitivity
Auditory
Vestibular
Tactile
Taste
Smell
Visual
16

17. When O.T. Assessment May Be Needed
Occupational performance is limited due to:
2) UNDER sensitivity or poor discrimination
Auditory
Vestibular
Tactile
Proprioceptive
Taste
Smell
Visual
17

18. 18
What Is
Occupational
Therapy?
What Is
Sensory
Processing?
Signs a Person
May Need an
O.T.
Assessment
Getting an
Assessment
Signs a
Person Is
Benefiting
from O.T.
How to Get an Assessment, and
How to Make the Most Out of the Process

19. Pursue an O.T. Assessment
– Ask your pediatrician for a
recommendation
• Medical Insurance
• Private Pay Coverage
– Speak with your child’s
teacher about school-
based OT
19

20. How to Get the Most Out of the Process
• How and where are the sensory differences impacting
occupational performance and participation?
• Provide suggestions and input on the treatment goals
• Ask for homework.
• Ask questions!
20

21. Signs a Person Is Benefiting from O.T.
21
What Is
Occupational
Therapy?
What Is
Sensory
Processing?
Signs a Person
May Need an
O.T.
Assessment
Getting an
Assessment
Signs a
Person Is
Benefiting
from O.T.

22. Signs a Person is Benefiting from O.T.
• Real world gains are the best, and ONLY measure!
– Improvements in occupational performance and participation
• Goals are achieved, or surpassed!
• Therapy is a ‘just-right challenge’, not too hard or easy
22

23. Signs a Person Might NOT Be
Benefiting from OT
• Goals target ‘EVERYTHING’ or are ‘hard to describe’
• Little to no improvements are made after 4-6 months
• Therapy seems TOO HARD or TOO EASY.
23

24. Resources
24
American Occupational Therapy Association (A.O.T.A.)
http://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Patients-
Clients/ChildrenAndYouth.aspx
Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and
Occupational Therapy
http://chan.usc.edu/academics/sensory-integration
Pathways Sensory Toolkit
https://pathways.org/sensory-toolkit/

25. More Resources
• California Board of Occupational Therapy License
Verification (state specific)
https://www.breeze.ca.gov/datamart/searchByName.do
• Ayres, Jean A. (2005) Sensory Integration and the Child.
Los Angeles, CA. Western Psychological Services
http://www.wpspublish.com/store/p/2964/sensory-
integration-and-the-child-25th-anniversary-edition
25

26. 26
Poll:
Do you now have a better understanding of
occupational therapy and sensory processing?

27. 27
Ask Us a Question
Please type your questions
(Top-left corner of your MeetingBurner screen)

28. 28
Thank you for attending
and interacting!!
You have access to webinar slides, handouts and video recording.
Don’t leave yet!! Please take 3 minutes to answer a survey about
your experience with this webinar.
UCEDD SlideShare
Page
UCEDD YouTube
Playlist
Webinar Evaluation
Survey