Making Sense STAR Institute

Play is a child’s occupation and has a profound impact on attachment and neuro-development. Therapeutic and developmental experiences benefit from a deeper understanding of the importance and impact of play. Today, Carrie Schmitt and Mim Ochsenbein unpack The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Play by highlighting and defining Play, while considering both the impact of play on brain development and the way that play in the context of relationship is powerful for driving development. 


 


Resources Mentioned In this episode:​


Brown, S. L., & Vaughan, C. C. (2010). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. Avery.

De Waal, F (2019). Mama's last hug: Animal emotions and what they tell us about ourselves. W. W. Norton & Company.

Kestly, T. (2014). The interpersonal neurobiology of play : Brain-building interventions for emotional well-being (First ed., Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.


Stephen Porges on Polyvagal Theory:  https://www.stephenporges.com/

Dan Siegel on Interpersonal Neurobiology: https://m.drdansiegel.com/about/interpersonal_neurobiology/

Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Golinkoff, R. M. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2058


 


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Calm Strips is the proud sponsor of Season 2 of Making Season.


 


Calm Strips began as a small piece of blue tape wrapped on the founder’s finger. He looked a bit silly wearing the tape, not to mention he had a lone sticky finger at the end of the day. So, then came the idea to create something that you could stick anywhere and take everywhere you may need a little bit of calm. The Calm Strips' mission is to further destigmatize the need for support and help and their dedication to this mission is unwavering.


 


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The vestibular system is critically involved in integrating sensory signals from inside our bodies (interoception) with sensory signals from outside ourselves (exteroception). There is a large body of work showing that our sense of self stems from multisensory integration. Today, guest Lisa Porter, PhD, OTD, OTR/Land Carrie Schmitt, OTR/L unravel the important role of the vestibular system in our sense of self. From the role, vestibular sensation plays in modulating sensory processing to vestibular sensations contribution to safety and perspective taking, listen to Lisa and Carrie discuss the impact of this important sensory system. 


 


Resources mentioned in this episode:​


Kestly, T. (2014). The interpersonal neurobiology of play: Brain-building interventions for emotional well-being (First ed., Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Lopez C. (2015). Making Sense of the Body: the Role of Vestibular Signals. Multisensory Research, 28(5-6), 525–557. https://doi.org/10.1163/22134808-00002490

Polkinghorne, D. E. (1996). Transformative narratives: From victimic to agentic life plots. American journal of occupational therapy, 50(4), 299-305.

Porges, S. (2019). Brain-body connection may ease autistic people’s social problems. https://www.spectrumnews.org/opinion/viewpoint/brain-body-connection-may-ease-autistic-peoples-social-problems/

Dan Siegel on Interpersonal Neurobiology: https://m.drdansiegel.com/about/interpersonal_neurobiology/


 


Find Lisa Porter at https://sensorykidsot.com/

Motor development is essentially psychological. In this conversation, Carrie Schmitt, OTR/L and Renee Allen, MS, OTR/L discuss the idea that motor development informed by sensation allows us to act on the world in the context of culture and relationship and ultimately enables skill acquisition across both motor and psychological milestones. Using clinical examples, they unpack what motor development challenges can tell us about a child’s sensory and psychological development.


 


Resources mentioned in this episode:​


Adolph, Karen E, & Hoch, Justine E. (2019). Motor Development: Embodied, Embedded, Enculturated, and Enabling. Annual Review of Psychology, 70(1), 141-164.

Bialer, D., & Miller, L.J. (2011). No longer A SECRET: Unique common strategies for children with sensory or motor challenges. Sensory World.

Sensory differences have a profound impact on learning. Colleen Whiting is our faculty specialist on school-based practice. Today, Carrie Schmitt and Colleen Whiting discuss an article highlighting a study aimed at capturing parent and teacher perspectives on how sensory differences affect learning and life at school. This conversation covers topics such as the current day impact of distance learning, sensory profiles mismatches, sense of agency, and what specific strategies work to support students with sensory differences. Parents and school-based therapists alike will benefit from this discussion. 


Resources Mentioned In this episode:​


Bialer, D., & Miller, L.J. (2011). No longer A SECRET: Unique common strategies for children with sensory or motor challenges. Sensory World. 

Jones, E.K., Hanley, M., & Riby, D.M. (2020). Distraction, distress and diversity: Exploring the impact of sensory processing differences on learning and school life for pupils with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 72, 101515.

Miller-Kuhaneck, H. & Kelleher, J. (2018). The classroom sensory environment assessment as an educational tool for teachers. Journal of Occupational Therapy Schools & Early Intervention. 10.1080/19411243.2018.1432442.

Miller, Lucy Jane, Anzalone, Marie E, Lane, Shelly J, Cermak, Sharon A, & Osten, Elizabeth T. (2007). Concept evolution in sensory integration: A proposed nosology for diagnosis. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 135-140.

Piller, A., & Pfeiffer, B. (2016). The sensory environment and participation of preschool children with autism Spectrum disorder. OTJR Occupation Participation Health, 36(3), 103–111.

Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE): https://www.moho.uic.edu/productDetails.aspx?aid=9 


 


Find more about the school-based course Colleen Whiting designed at https://www.sensoryhealth.org/basic/school-based-intensive-for-occupational-therapy-practitioners

In pediatric occupational therapy, play is often used as a therapeutic medium. Today Carrie Schmitt and Michele Parkins discuss how the ways in which we play can include emotion regulation alongside sensory motor regulation. They explore the concept of psychosensory experiences tying in temperament as it manifests in play and how this guides therapeutic play aligning with sensory modulation, discrimination and sensory motor development.



Resources Mentioned in this episode:​


Foley, G. (2017). Play as regulation: Promoting self-regulation through play. Top Language Disorders 37(3), 241-258. doi:10.1097/TLD0000000000000129

Miller, Lucy Jane, Anzalone, Marie E, Lane, Shelly J, Cermak, Sharon A, & Osten, Elizabeth T. (2007). Concept evolution in sensory integration: A proposed nosology for diagnosis. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61(2), 135-140.



Find Michele Parkins’ new webinar HERE.