Date of Award
6-2024
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Briana Bonner OTD, OTR/L
Second Advisor
Abbey Glenn OTD, OTR/L, BCG, ECHM
Abstract
Background. Sensory processing significantly impacts students’ ability to learn successfully in educational environments (Little et al., 2017). Classroom sensory strategies have been shown as an effective method to regulate student’s sensory systems, promoting academic success through improved participation and attention (Dean et al., 2018). Academic faculty are the ideal candidates to provide sensory strategies to the general student population, yet these roles typically lack sensory education (Budd & Rehling, 2014). Occupational therapists are in a prime position to provide academic faculty with sensory education due to their expertise in sensory processing, their responsibility to provide professional development to educators, and their role in the general education classroom. (Budd & Rehling, 2014; AOTA, 2015).
Purpose. Measure the effects of an occupational therapist-led sensory training on understanding and confidence levels regarding sensory processing and classroom sensory strategies in academic faculty at five EdKey schools.
Methods. A quantitative pre/post-survey was developed to measure participants’ understanding and confidence levels regarding sensory processing in the classroom and classroom sensory strategies before and after receiving the training.
Results. Throughout all of the 46 survey responses, significant improvements occurred in post-survey scores.
Conclusion. The consistent improvement in pre- vs post-survey scores demonstrates that the training increased participants' understanding and confidence in sensory processing and classroom sensory strategies. This improvement in scores contribute to the idea that occupational therapist-led sensory trainings are an effective method of improving academic faculty’s knowledge of sensory's role in the educational environment.
Recommended Citation
Sievert, Grace, "Sensory's Role in the General Education Classroom" (2024). OT Student Capstones. 69.
https://scholarworks.atsu.edu/ot-capstones/69