University of Southern California

Redesigning Lives. The Future of Healthcare

USC/WPS Certification in Sensory Integration

The four course series is designed for individuals seeking in-depth knowledge in sensory integration theory and practice.  The courses follow a logical progression, and participants are advised to take them in sequence, from 1 to 4.  Upon completing all four courses, within 5 years, participants are eligible for Certification in Sensory Integration, including Administering and Interpreting the SIPT.  This certificate, issued by the USC Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Western Psychological Services, acknowledges competency in several areas:

  • The theoretical foundations of sensory integration
  • Clinical reasoning strategies for using SI in practice
  • Identifying the contributions of sensory integration to development
  • Administering the SIPT, the Sensory Processing Measure, clinical observations and related measures
  • Interpreting evaluation results from research findings from SIPT and related measures
  • Planning intervention strategies
  • Implementing intervention using sensory strategies in various contexts.

Benefits of the 4 – course series include:

  1. World-renowned instructors
    The USC/WPS Courses were developed by eminent leaders in the field of occupational therapy who studied directly with Dr. A. Jean Ayres, founder of the sensory integration frame of reference; Ayres Sensory Integration ®.  All instructors are occupational therapy scholars, researchers or master clinicians with expertise in sensory processing and sensory-related deficits.
  2. Comprehensive training
    Each 5-day course provides 30 contact hours of continuing education credit
  3. Practical knowledgea,
    Learn clinical reasoning and practical intervention techniques that you can immediately implement in practice and daily life
  4. Live, hands-on demonstration
    Observe classic sensory integration assessment and intervention demonstrated by master clinicians with children with identified needs
  5. Acquire Certification in Sensory Integration including the SIPT
    USC/WPS Certification in Sensory Integration is the most highly regarded post-graduate pathway to advanced competency in sensory integration theory and intervention.

 

Course Originators
Erna Imperatore Blanche, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Gina Geppert Coleman, MA, OTR/L
Dottie Ecker, MA, OTR/L, FAOTA
Susan Knox, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Zoe Mailloux, MA., OTR/L, FAOTA
Shay McAtee, MA, OTR/L
Terri Chew Nishimura MA, OTR/L
Diane Parham, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
Susanne Smith Roley MS, OTR/L, FAOTA
Susan Spitzer, Ph.D., OTR/L

 

Course Series

Course 1
The Sensory Integration Perspective

Course 1, provides both an overview of sensory integration and in-depth information on its theoretical foundations, basic science supporting the theory and evidence supporting the evolution of theory for practice.  The theory is broken down into the functional contributions of the individual sensory systems, praxis and their impact on everyday activities.  This information is used to identify an individual’s deviations from typical sensory integration and praxis abilities and provide insight into methods and procedures used in sensory integrative intervention strategies.

 

Learning Objectives
Following this course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the different sensory systems and their contributions to daily life
  • Identify the basic principles of sensory integration
  • List several sensory strategies that can be used at home, at school, and in the community to enhance function
  • Explain to clients the relationship of sensory integration to typical and atypical development
  • Describe the roles of the individual sensory systems in human activity
  • Discuss praxis and its role in performance and behavior
  • Relate the spectrum of sensory integrative functions to occupation

Course 2:
Specialized Techniques for Measure Sensory Integration

Course 2 provides in-depth training in using and understanding measures of sensory integration.  Emphasis is place on learning to administer the SIPT, clinical observations and related measures.  These measures are discussed relative to the individual functions they assess and their relevance to presenting problems and intervention.

Learning Objectives
Following this course, participants will be able to

  • Demonstrate basic competency in administering the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests
  • Identify a variety of tests and observations that can be applied in diverse settings to assess sensory integration
  • Describe the functional implications of the abilities assessed by the SIPT and related measures

Course 3.
From Interpretation to Intervention

Course 3 provides information necessary for interpreting assessment data, and for using this data to plan intervention strategies.  Special emphasis is placed on the analysis and interpretation of SIPT results.  The use of case studies demonstrates the clinical reasoning process in interpreting assessment results and using this information to plan and implement intervention.  This course trains participants to use and understand the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and other related measures of sensory functions so that clients with a variety of diagnoses and referring problems can be assessed using the SIPT as the “gold standard . The use of case studies demonstrates the clinical reasoning process in interpreting assessment results and using this information for intervention planning and implementation.

Learning Objectives
Following this course, participants will be able to

  • Analyze and interpret measures of sensory integration, with particular emphasis on SIPT results
  • Describe patterns of sensory integrative dysfunction by placing individual test results within the framework identified through research
  • Plan intervention programs in a variety of settings for children identified as having sensory integrative dysfunction
  • Describe the relationship between assessment results and the functional performance at home, at school, and in the community
  • Identify the ways in which research supports assessment and intervention


Course 4.
Sensory Integration Intervention

Course 4, provides clinical reasoning strategies for designing and implementing intervention using a sensory integration frame of reference.

Learning Objectives
Following this course, participants will be able to

  • Use clinical reasoning skills to interpret behaviors that might have a sensory integrative base
  • Plan and provide intervention programs for children with sensory integrative dysfunction
  • Explain the rationale behind the use of an activity to facilitate adaptive responses
  • Explain the relationship of an adaptive response to a child’s occupational engagement
  • Implement intervention with a wide variety of pediatric disabilities from a sensory integrative frame of reference
  • Implement sensory strategies in various settings, including home, school, and community
  • Implementing intervention using sensory integration strategies in a variety of contexts

 

LOCATIONS:

 
Domestic:  Courses have been offered throughout the U.S. in Albuquerque, NM, Atlanta, Georgia, Augusta, GA, Baltimore, MD, Birmingham, AL, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, ILL, Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH, Denver, CO, Detroit, MI, El Paso, TX, Elizabethtown, PA, Ft. Lauderdale, FLA, Ft. Worth, TX, Hartford, CN, Houston, TX, Kalamazoo, MI, Kansas City, KS, LA, CA, Madison, WI, Milwaukee, WI, Morristown, NJ, New York, NY, Norfolk, VA, Oakland, CA, Orange, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Redondo Beach, CA., Sacramento, CA, Salt Lake City, UT, San Antonio, TX , San Diego, CA, Santa Rosa, CA, Seattle, WA, Syracuse, NY, St. Louis, MO, Tacoma, WA, Tampa, FLA, Toledo, OH, Torrance, CA, Virginia Beach, VA, Washington, DC, Wichita, KS

USC/WPS Current course listings in the U.S. are available on the WPS website, www.wpspublish.com.

International:  USC/WPS courses have been offered throughout the world in Argentina, Austria, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Cyprus, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and Thailand.  Courses are in the planning stages in Dubai and Montreal.

Santiago, Chile

  • Courses 2 & 3:  2010
  • Course 4: January 3-7, 2010

Contact Daniel Calderón, Sensory Integration Association Chile at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Bogotá, Colombia

  • Course 1:  November 26 - 30, 2008
  • Course 2:  February 2 - 6, 2009
  • Course 3:  June 15 - 19, 2009
  • Course 4:  November 25 - 29, 2009

Contact Leonor Noguera Sayer and Margarita Gonzales, Fundación Vértice at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Finland

  • Courses 1, 2, 3, & 4:  2009-2010

Contact Päivi Danner, Finnish Sensory Integration Therapy Organization, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Greece

  • Course 1:  January 18 - 22, 2010
  • Course 2:  June 26 - 30, 2010
  • Course 3:  October 3 - 7, 2010
  • Course 4:  Dates Not Yet Determined

Contact Anna Sampsonidou, Hellenic Society for Sensory Integration (ELEAO), at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Hong Kong

  • Course 1:  January 27 - 31, 2010
  • Course 2:  March 25 - 29, 2010
  • Course 3:  May 27- 31, 2010
  • Course 4:  June 25- 29, 2010

Contact Ann Bridgewater, Child Development Centre at Matilda, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Mumbai, India

  • Courses 1 & 4:  2010 pending

Contact Hemant Nandgaonkar, Nandgaonkar’s Therapy Services at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .


Jordan

  • Courses 2 & 3: pending

Contact Mustafa A. Al Qaisi, OTR, President, Arabic Occupational therapists regional group at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Lisbon, Portugal

  • Course 1:  July 22-26, 2010
  • Course 2:  August 30 - September 3, 2010
  • Course 3:  March 14-18, 2011
  • Course 4:  June 3-7, 2011

Contact Paulo Fernandez, 7Senses, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .


Singapore

  • Course 1:  June 25-29, 2010
  • Course 2:  November 29 - December 3, 2010
  • Course 3:  March 10-14, 2011
  • Course 4:  June , 2011

Contact Christine Tan, Ovspring Developmental Clinic Training Division, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Slovenia

  • Course1:  January 27-31, 2010

Contact Nevenka Grièar, at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


South Africa

  • Courses 1, 2, 3, & 4:  2010

Contact Emmerentia Aldrich, South African Institute for Sensory Integration at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)


Madrid, Spain

  • Course 1: May 24-29,2010
  • Course 2: August 30 - September 4, 2010
  • Course 3, March 7-11, 2011
  • Course 4, May, 2011

Contact Sara Jorquera, Training and Treatment center of Occupational Therapy, AYTONA,  at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)