
Explore sensory modifications and caregiver education for preschool children with autism, outlining guiding approaches and frameworks for the classroom modification proposal and clarifying sensory integration and processing concepts.
Assessing autism sensory processing reveals how tailoring classroom environments to sensory preferences improves attention and engagement. Occupational therapists can design interventions that support learning and play.
Develop practice skills for children with autism. Create staff and caregiver sensory programs within the Autism Day program through collaborative community engagement, guided by sensory integration theory and PoP model.
Explore evidence-based occupation-based practice for sensory processing, featuring classroom toolboxes, a calm corner, a visual schedule, and universal design to support autism-related goals and parent education.
Acknowledge mentors and Autism Day staff who contributed to the doctoral capstone presentation—Sean Cole, Cara Pick, and Dr. Christine Hirsch—and outline the references and contact information for questions.
The course posted is Doctoral Capstone Project on the Sensory Modifications and Caregiver Education for Preschool Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The course discusses my doctoral capstone experience including the needs assessment, review of literature, approach to the project, learning objectives and activities, artifacts, references, and closing acknowledgments.
By the end of this session participants will be able to:
1. Identify one of the guiding approaches for this capstone project.
2. Identify one principle/framework used when creating the classroom modification proposal.
3. Define sensory integration.
Guiding Approach
•Primary: Sensory Integration Theory
•Secondary: Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance Model (PEOP)
My learning objectives:
•Demonstrate the ability to utilize and analyze evidence for occupation-based practice and develop habits of life-long learning.
•Display professionalism, ethical behavior, and advocacy skills to influence positive change with clients, communities, and the profession.
•Student will develop sensory materials that can be utilized individually or in group setting that address various sensory processing needs in order to help children regulate in order to better achieve their goals.
•Student will develop parent education handout about sensory processing needs and activities to assist in regulating their child.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have or for more information about my doctoral capstone experience.