Sensory Integration Education

Over 6,500 attendees participated in the SIE Virtual Conference hosted last week. The event delved into the "Sensory Informed Practice: Broadening Horizons" theme, illuminating the latest thoughts on assessing sensory integration and processing. We also explored sensory-friendly environments and effective sensory strategies in a wide variety of contexts.

Participants, including therapists, professionals, and school staff seeking insight and understanding, joined from various corners of the globe. Sensory Integration Education, a not-for-profit training organisation, is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of sensory differences and our free online week-long conference is just one of the ways in which we do this.

Throughout the conference, attendees had the opportunity to watch a number of presentations delivered by an inspiring line-up of speakers and engage in a virtual poster presentation section showcasing new research and clinical outcomes.

This year the conference was sponsored by Sensory Inclusive Schools (SIS) and we would like to extend our thanks to SIS for their contribution. For more information about Sensory Inclusive Schools, please visit https://www.sensoryinclusiveschools.org/

Our virtual conference featured keynote speakers Dr. Sarah Schoen and Dr. Shelley Mulligan, who provided an insightful overview of the Sensory Processing 3 Dimensions (SP3D) Assessment, sharing key findings and the research supporting this initiative. We were also delighted to hear Dr. Annemarie Lombard, Founder and CEO of Sensory Intelligence®, speak about her assessment tool, the Sensory Matrix™, exploring how sensory processing affects health, well-being, productivity and relationships, along with strategies to enhance daily interactions with the environment around us.

Leanne Duggan, a Senior Occupational Therapist and Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner, shared her expertise on the impact of the ageing brain, offering thought-provoking examples of how physical spaces can affect individuals with sensory differences and practical approaches to address these challenges. Kim Griffin, OT, presented on how Sensory Circuits can be used to help children thrive, while Alison Dear gave an uplifting and practical talk on "Sensory Friendly Schools: Calmer for Everyone" based on her experience of creating more peaceful learning environments.

Another highlight was Anna Willis' presentation, "Showcasing Sensory Clinic Spaces" where she introduced us to a range of sensory rooms, from those she has designed from scratch to others she has worked in or would love to work in.

Additionally, the conference featured an impressive lineup of poster presentations, where researchers and clinicians from around the world shared their innovations, clinical outcomes and service developments through short engaging video presentations.

This year was the first year we ran interactive workshops that provided an excellent opportunity for our participants to discuss and share ideas with their peers.

Rosalind Rogers, SIE Chair, comments: 

"As Chair of Sensory Integration Education, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all who attended and participated in our virtual conference. Your engagement and passion for sensory integration continue to inspire us all. A special thank you to our incredible speakers, presenters and the dedicated team behind the scenes who worked tirelessly to make this event a success.

Together, we are advancing the knowledge and understanding of sensory integration and we remain committed to expanding this vital field. Our shared goal is to continue learning, sharing, and innovating, ensuring that the research and findings we explored during this conference have a lasting impact on the lives of individuals everywhere.”

Access the Conference Materials with ASIP and our Unlimited Annual Pass

If you weren’t one of the thousands who participated in this year’s conference, you can access the conference materials and view them at your leisure by subscribing to ASIP, SIE’s community of practice, or sign up to our Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP).

ASIP (The SIE Alumni Club), is an exclusive community for current students and all graduates of SIE's postgraduate Sensory Integration (SI) Modules and qualifications.

Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) is an all-access annual membership where you can receive over 100 hours of lessons and resources. As an LLP member, you’ll have access to all the live webinars we run throughout the year as well as our on-demand short courses. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our live peer support sessions and our SI Network Community Forum.

Offer alert:

If you sign up for our Lifelong Learning Programme before Oct 31st 2024, you'll receive an extra month of learning. Use code 13FOR12.

Sign up today for our Lifelong Learning Programme.

We thank all those who joined our conference and hope great insight has been received on Sensory Integration.

Feeling inspired and want to keep learning? Join our next Sensory Spotlight Talk Interoception: Neuroscience and Clinical Considerations with Professor Shelly Lane, Wednesday, November 20, 4:00pm - 6:00pm.

In this webinar, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of interoception, including its functions, features, and processes, with a focus on CT touch and the underlying neuroscience. Professor Shelly Lane will explore the changes in interoception related to both physical and mental health challenges, and will elucidate the connections between interoceptive functions and neural structures and processes. This is a valuable opportunity for those interested in the cutting-edge science of interoception and its implications for health—an event not to be missed! This is included in the Lifelong Learning Programme, or can be purchased as a single webinar.