Due to a dramatic increase in autism over the past 20 years, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common diagnosis treated by occupational therapists in an early intervention setting. This document outlines a proposal for a parent education program for families with preschoolers with ASD within a large Northern California school district. Many of these families are learning for the first time about an ASD diagnosis and have little knowledge of autism. Most of these parents have minimal to no knowledge or understanding of the sensory processing challenges that most children with autism face. An eight-week parent education program has been developed to address many sensory processing aspects. Based on Dunn’s Sensory Processing Frame of Reference, the program will provide information about sensory systems and the response to sensory input. In addition, the impact of sensory processing on daily life participation, such as the ability to self-regulate, attend, motor-plan, communicate and engage socially, will be discussed. The program will blend PowerPoint presentations and discussions with parents, giving real-life examples of sensory processing challenges their children are experiencing. A variety of sensory strategies will be explored to address these challenges. In addition, appropriate handouts will be provided.
