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Improving Practitioner Knowledge and Confidence in Early Intervention Coaching for Sensory-Based Concerns: A Pilot
Tara J Glennon1, Jessalyn Dickerson2, Sara O'Rourke3
1Tara J. Glennon, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT, and Owner, Center for Pediatric Therapy, Darien, Fairfield, and Wallingford, CT; Tara.Glennon@Quinnipiac.edu.
The Sensory Approaches to Infant/Toddler Learning (SAIL) program improved occupational therapy practitioners' knowledge and confidence in sensory integration-based caregiver coaching. This professional development approach proved feasible and well-received by participants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric occupational therapy
- Early intervention services
- Child development and sensory processing
Background:
- Many occupational therapy practitioners feel unprepared to coach caregivers of young children with sensory-based challenges.
- Effective professional development programs are needed to enhance practitioners' skills in sensory integration (SI) and caregiver coaching.
- Sensory processing differences can significantly impact infant and toddler participation in daily routines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Sensory Approaches to Infant/Toddler Learning (SAIL) program's impact on practitioners' knowledge and confidence in caregiver coaching.
- To assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the SAIL program components.
- To support practitioners in providing effective caregiver coaching for children under age 3 with sensory-based challenges.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort pilot study was conducted at a midwestern pediatric hospital.
- Occupational therapy practitioners working with children under 3 were enrolled.
- The SAIL program included webinars, mentorship, and access to a sensory processing kit, with data collected at three time points.
Main Results:
- Practitioners showed significant improvements in knowledge and confidence regarding SI and caregiver coaching from pretest to follow-up.
- Participants rated the webinar series and the SPM-2 SPARK kit as highly acceptable, appropriate, and feasible.
- No significant decline in knowledge or confidence was observed between posttest and follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The SAIL program is a feasible and well-received method for enhancing practitioners' capacity in SI-based caregiver coaching.
- Further research with diverse samples is recommended to confirm findings and assess long-term impact.
- The study provides a foundation for improving early intervention services for infants and toddlers with sensory challenges.
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