Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Rachel Diamant PhD, OTR/L
Abstract
Children who have experienced trauma have difficulty with behavioral self-regulation which effects social participation, play, and academics (Petrenchik & Weiss, 2015). Young children learn through exploration of their environment and gather information from the senses of taste, sight, touch, smell, sound, proprioception, and body movement (vestibular). As sensory information is gathered, the brain and body organize and interpret these sensations. The manner in which these senses are experienced determine which sensory experiences are preferred, and the nature of behavioral reactions. Children who have experienced trauma have difficulty managing stress, emotions, and daily routines. In the community occupational therapists can encourage meaningful activity, create supportive relationships, and collaborate with community treatment centers or organizations to provide needed services (Petrenchik & Weiss, 2015). Thus, children who have experienced trauma may benefit from sensory-motor-based strategies to learn skills for behavioral self-regulation.
Recommended Citation
Bautista, Sarah May, "Use of the Alert Program® in a Sensory Room at an Emergency Children's Shelter" (2019). OT Student Capstones. 4.
https://scholarworks.atsu.edu/ot-capstones/4