The Sensory–Behavior Divide: A Collaborative Approach for Evaluation

Description of Webinar

Have you been kicked, hit, punched, or spat on by a tiny human too many times to count? Have you wondered whether it was sensory or behavioral? It has been estimated that 1 in 6 children has sensory processing difficulties, and in some specific populations the prevalence rate is estimated to be as high as 80% to 100%. The relatedness of sensory and behavior, and the way a child can effectively regulate either or both, is often observable. Unfortunately, when the perspective is that the two elements can be separated, the result can be that you are challenged with the question “Is it sensory or is it behavior?” We—school psychologists and an occupational therapist—propose that the question is more appropriately phrased as “How can what we know about sensory processing help us to better understand behavior?”

Learning Objectives

At the end of this on-demand webinar, the learner will be able to:

• Apply their sensory processing knowledge when understanding, identifying, and intervening in challenging behaviors; and  
• Identify ways to engage multidisciplinary team members in conducting a comprehensive approach to addressing children’s sensory and behavioral needs.

Number of Contact Hours Offered

1.5 Contact hours (APA, NASP, and AOTA)

Presenter Bios

Ann K. Rogers has a PhD in school psychology with specializations in neuropsychology and developmental psychology. She is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. Dr. Rogers has worked in the field of assessment for over 25 years in various roles with test publishers, as a practitioner in schools and in private agencies, in neuroscience medical education programs for pharmaceutical companies, and as an adjunct university instructor for school psychology training programs. Dr. Rogers is currently a business development manager with Western Psychological Services (WPS).    

Ashley Arnold, MA, LSSP, NCSP, is the assessment consultant manager with Western Psychological Services (WPS). She has nearly two decades of public school experience supervising practicum students, interns, and school psychologists in several public schools in Texas. Ashley is a former president of the Texas Association of School Psychologists and has served on its executive board for more than 20 years in a variety of roles. She has also served on a variety of committees for the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). Her passions are assessment, supervision, and advocating for school psychological services. 

Morgan Webb, MOT, OTR/L, is an assessment consultant for Western Psychological Services (WPS). She has nearly a decade of experience as an occupational therapist. Morgan has experience working with children in public school settings, and adults in hospital, inpatient rehabilitation, and skilled nursing settings in Tennessee. She has been an executive board member for the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association (TNOTA) since 2019, serving in a variety of roles to help further the occupational therapy profession in Tennessee. She currently serves the TNOTA as special projects coordinator. Morgan codeveloped the TNOTA Occupational Therapy Mentorship Program in 2020. She is also the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) consultant between AOTA and WPS. Morgan is passionate about assessments, client and team success, and advocating for special education services.