Sensory Integration Education

My Journey into Sensory Integration

My journey into sensory integration began in 2013 whilst working on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. I had previously worked with Sensory Integration trained therapists in Philadelphia which had peaked my interest, so when the opportunity arose for me to go to Birmingham to complete module 1, I jumped at the chance. At this time I was working as the only children’s occupational therapist in the Western Isles, across a number of different islands. The caseload was therefore varied, but I worked with a large number of children who had various sensory integration deficits and needs. I was lucky enough to be able to continue my journey through to SI module 4 while working in Scotland, and found that the learning really changed the way that I practised, and the lens through which I was able to see children’s difficulties. It definitely helped my clinical reasoning skills to develop and evolve. I then decided to continue through the MSc pathway, eventually completing my dissertation in 2017 while on maternity leave.

How I use SI in my practice

I now work in Northern Ireland in a split post. I work on a neonatal unit (as the first occupational therapist that this particular unit has had). The other part of my post is complex health needs, which is mainly community based. Principles of SI theory and practice guide my clinical reasoning and decision making on a daily basis, and I find the link between sensory integration and development within the neonatal unit particularly fascinating and interesting.

Why I am committed to supporting others to study SI

I feel that becoming an SI professional has led me to having very clear rationale, clinical reasoning and decision making skills in relation to the assessments and interventions I choose for any given child and family. The learning has been invaluable to me, and I am constantly encouraging other therapists with whom I work to get involved where possible. I am excited to be a part of other professionals' learning experience, to see the growth and development first hand and to hopefully be able to provide support where needed.