Ethical Treatment of our Neurodivergent Clients: How we May be Overlooking Sensorimotor Processing Disorders in Adults
Presented by
Sally Carman, OTR/LIt is increasingly apparent that neurodivergent clients are seeking relief from experiences due not only to their particular conditions, but also because of the trauma that has resulted from being misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and marginalized. To be ethically responsible, an awareness and comprehension of individual sensory differences is key, particularly when considering differential diagnosis and treatment approaches.
Overview
6 Law and Ethics CEs
It is increasingly apparent that neurodivergent clients are seeking relief from experiences due not only to their particular conditions, but also because of the trauma that has resulted from being misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and marginalized. To be ethically responsible, an awareness and comprehension of individual sensory differences is key, particularly when considering differential diagnosis and treatment approaches. Sensory Processing Disorder has been very frequently ‘missed’ during a client’s childhood and teen years, leaving many neurodiverse adults dealing with an ‘out of synch’ brain that is rarely understood by professionals, perpetuating the trauma they experience. In this presentation, you will learn about the neurodiversity of Sensorimotor Processing and many practical tools and techniques leading to more effective work with your clients.
Learning Objectives:
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To promote a broad understanding of sensorimotor processing as it applies to adults, from overall definition to specific examples. -
To learn why neurodiversity produces trauma, including misdiagnosis, limited life skills, poor relational ability, anxiety, and more. -
To provide an exploration of the nature of sensorimotor input, and recognize how COMMON sensory differences are, as seen on a spectrum beyond ‘just like the majority of others.’ -
To personally experience the Sensory Profile 2 standardized assessment and determine how you can use it in your practice. -
To understand how sensorimotor processing overlaps with other conditions, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Anxiety, and Migraine. -
To review research about how sensorimotor processing may become altered during the aging process, promoting understanding of the challenges during each life season. -
To discover practical techniques and tools to work with sensory neurodiverse individuals, including sensorimotor diet, social stories, and more; learn how you can improve your client’s ‘felt safety’ and connect more effectively with your client to improve outcomes.
About the Presenter
Sally is a requested trainer and consultant for school educators in both the United States and Mexico, for adoption agency/foster care placement organizations, and many others. Her work is pertinent for therapists, counselors, educators, social workers, court-appointed advocates, parents, and all medical caregivers. An Occupational Therapist who has worked for over 40 years with both children and adults, her employment includes 14 years in acute hospital mental/behavioral health units. She has also served as a Clinical Adjunct professor, instructing and supervising fieldwork for Occupational Therapy graduate program at University of Puget Sound, Tacoma WA. Sally was also Owner/Director of Center for Therapeutic Intervention in Gig Harbor WA, a multi-therapist pediatric clinic, where she continues to consult and train therapists. She also provides assessments, training, and consultation at Pasos Adelante, Puerto Vallarta, a neuro-psychological clinic treating those of all ages. Faculty and administration at the American School of Puerto Vallarta frequently call upon Sally for consultation, professional development presentations, and to provide her own module of Wellness classes for middle/high school students. Sally’s particular focus as an Occupational Therapist is strength-based treatment with children, teens and adults affected by trauma and adverse experiences; this includes families with foster and adopted children. She uses a wide variety of sensorimotor tools, interpersonal skill training, and caregiver education/support to enhance improved function and resilience building. Her professional experience is supplemented by her personal role as the parent of four children, including two adopted children who joined her family at the ages of five and twelve years old. Sally received an undergraduate degree in English from Duke University and a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy from University of Pennsylvania. She received a post-masters Certificate in Attachment-Focused Therapy in Seattle WA, and is a lifelong learner. She has trained orphanage staff in Cebu, Philippines, and was chosen as a KIRO radio “Hometown Hero” in 2015. Sally Carman provides client consultation, and designs individualized presentations/webinars for organizations interested in topics noted below. To check for availability, she can be reached at scarmanotr@gmail.com and 253.227.0550.