Manipal: Occupational Therapy for children with sensory processing dysfunction

By Poornachandra
Bellevision Media Network

Manipal, 30 Jan 2014 : The two-day Continued Occupational Therapy Education (COTE) programme organized by the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, which concluded here on Friday was informative and educative. The programme, on the use of collaborative coaching model for children with sensory processing dysfunctions and emerging areas of practice in vision rehabilitation, had speakers emphasizing the importance of occupational therapy for children with this specific disability.

 
Dr. Elizabeth A. Cada from the Department of Occupational Therapy, Governors State University, Illinois, US spoke on “Diffusion of Innovation”. She spoke on the effect of change that influences a child`s learning due to disability and also how the change can be brought about through occupational therapy services.

 

Dr Divya Sood from the same department as Dr Cada stressed on the needs, challenges and required supports as perceived by families and by early educators of children with sensory processing dysfunctions within the home, community and school environment.  She spoke on how the family members can build newer strategies along with the therapist for the proper growth of such a child. She said that the influence of parent-child interaction on was important for improvement in motor, sensory, cognitive and psychological functioning of the child.  She also briefed the participants on the theoretical perspectives of guiding the development of the Collaborative Coaching Model.

 

 

 The other speakers emphasized on the strategies to be followed by parents and teachers when working with children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorders at home or in schools for the betterment of those children to participate in meaningful occupation. Dr. Mary Butler from the University of Otago, New Zealand spoke on the emerging areas of practice in Vision Rehabilitation. Dr. Asha Hegde from Karkala Hospital of Manipal University and other experts from various disciplines
participated in the session.

 

 There was a post COTE discussion on Vision Rehabilitation and a possibility emerged on department of Occupational Therapy and Department of Optometry of Manipal University to launch a collaborative teaching program and services in the field of Vision Rehabilitation.

 

Earlier, at the inauguration, Dr. Rajashekhar Dean SOAHS spoke on how over the years the Occupational Therapy Department had set a benchmark in the field of OT education and practices. Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Vinod Bhat spoke about the possibilities of cross border collaborations through academic activities with the Governors State University, United States and University of Otago, New Zealand. He encouraged on opening of new vistas in the field of vision rehabilitation with certain ground work already been done at the Manipal University’s hospital facility at Karkala through the participation of Dept. of Occupational Therapy along with other related disciplines.