In this edition, we highlight Dr. Sharon Cermak’s career and contributions to occupational therapy. Dr. Cermak is renowned for her expertise in Developmental Coordination Disorder. She was selected as one of the 100 leading occupational therapists and has received many awards for her working in sensory processing.

This course presents an overview of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The role of occupational therapy and how and why approaches need to be modified for individuals with an FASD are highlighted.

This course will introduce occupational therapy practitioners to the use of the horse, horses’ movement and the equine environment as a treatment tool. Occupational therapy practitioners will be introduced to hippotherapy in relation to the occupational therapy practice framework.

The presentation will focus on the importance of and positive influence on mental health from the cultivation of leisure interests. Examples with individuals and with whole group activities and positive outcomes for students will be discussed.

The interoceptive system, often referred to as the ‘eighth sensory system’ is often neglected or misunderstood. However, this system is critical to self regulation. This course will explain how understanding the 8th sensory system can contribute to better sensory modulation, social interaction and ultimately as better sense of self-awareness.

The limited literature available points to a critical need for a sexual education that appropriately addresses the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This review provides promising strategies that can be utilized by occupational therapists for effective sexual education for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Infants are born with a set of primitive reflexes that should inhibit within the first year after birth. This course looks at the impact that primitive reflexes have on brain and body development when they do not inhibit properly.

This course is about the complex process of normal development. Its goal is to help participants understand what happens when children develop typically so that they can have a better understanding of what happens when things go wrong.

Children with Down Syndrome often exhibit differences in tone, joints, feeding, heart and respiratory problems, as well as behavioral and comorbid conditions. Understanding the complexities of the condition as well as adapting daily life tasks can bring great success to this population.

This course is designed to help occupational therapists identify, screen, assess, and treat children with coordination and motor planning difficulties. Recommendations are based on the most recent clinical and neuroimaging research available.