Life is sensory. How the brain processes sensory information impacts engagement in all life areas and influences how safe one feels in their mind, body, environment, and interactions. Imagine life where faces look like animals, sounds cause excruciating pain, food textures change in different lighting, your body has no boundaries, and movements are unpredictable. Experiences like these are reality for some with sensory processing disorder (SPD). Without adequate support, a student with SPD will not thrive.

Yet sensory support alone is not enough. Regulation — the foundation that makes all learning and participation possible — depends on interoceptive awareness (IA): the ability to sense internal body signals.

This presentation addresses both topics by combining personal and clinical insights on SPD with practical interoceptive awareness training. Attendees learn from the inside about sensory processing challenges and practical tools that can transform a student’s ability to self-regulate, leading to improved learning outcomes, reduced behavioral challenges, increased independence, and the ability to truly access and participate in life.

Participants are required to attend this session in person at CKEC’s Lexington office; however, the training will be delivered virtually. Attendees will receive 4 hours of professional development (PD) credit and EILA hours. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will also be requested. Contact erica.price@ckec.org or trae.jones@ckec.org with any questions.

Kim Clairy/ Georgia Autism Out of the Box