Ready to Learn and Play by Janis Leinfuss, OTR/L, Amanda Newchok, OTR/L, and Erin O’Hara, OTR/L
Are you looking for a practical and evidence-based approach to support children with sensory processing challenges? Let’s dive into the valuable insights shared by experienced occupational therapists in the “Ready to Learn and Play” framework. The framework emphasizes individualized strategies aligned with AOTA’s “choose wisely” campaign, and its impact extends to children with intense complex learning needs.
Understanding the Ready to Learn and Play Framework
During the Toddler Play Conference, Dr. Janice Leinfuss, Amanda Newchok, and Erin O’Hara, seasoned pediatric occupational therapists, unveiled the revolutionary “Ready to Learn and Play” framework designed to promote self-regulation, leveraging an interdisciplinary approach. The framework integrates occupational therapy theory, cognitive science, behavioral psychology, and neuroeducation to optimize sensory regulation and expand sensory capabilities.
Empowering Children with Individualized Strategies
Erin O’Hara, OTR/L, shed light on the four distinct phases of the framework, allowing for tailored support and seamless integration across diverse settings. The phases include sensory experience, sensory choices, generalization, and ongoing application. Here, children are provided with the opportunity for sensory exploration, coaching on interpreting sensory clues, generalization of sensory regulation concepts, and facilitation of a sensory lifestyle to maximize occupational participation and performance.
Impactful Research and Evidence-Based Practice
Janis Leinfuss, OTR/L, shared insights from her study, emphasizing the framework’s evidence-based nature. It was revealed that the Ready to Learn and Play framework had a statistically significant impact on the occupational performance of children across various neurodiversity diagnoses. The utilization of the School Companion Sensory Profile and the Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE) for assessment demonstrated positive changes in occupational performance.
Realizing the Framework’s Potential
Amanda Newchok, OTR/L, highlighted the nuanced sensory solutions and emphasized the framework’s multidisciplinary team approach. This collaborative model ensures consistent support for children with sensory processing challenges and offers trainings and resources for therapists and educators, along with a dedicated caregiver training series.
Harnessing the Power of Play
The Toddler Play Conference, hosted by Holly Peretz, OT, showcased the significance of play in engaging and promoting children’s development. The event aimed to provide professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the power of play, and how to engage children in play across different contexts and with diverse needs.
Enriching Learning Opportunities
In her role as a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of Precision CPD, Holly Peretz, OT, has curated an on-demand accredited learning platform for professionals working with children. The platform offers a variety of resources and opportunities for practitioners to advance their knowledge and understanding of supporting children’s development.
Upcoming Research and Practice
The discussions during the Toddler Play Conference shed light on the individualized and evidence-based approaches of the Ready to Learn and Play framework, paving the way for future research, practice, and training opportunities. The guests encouraged the audience to explore the framework and its potential to positively impact occupational therapy and support children with sensory processing challenges.
The “Ready to Learn and Play” framework represents a pivotal shift in the approach to supporting children with sensory processing challenges. Through evidence-based strategies and a holistic, individualized approach, the framework empowers children to thrive in various environments, nurturing a sense of self-regulation and enhancing their overall well-being.