Schreiber Therapists Celebrate Sensory Awareness Month with Special Programming

(LANCASTER, Pa.) – Have you ever met a child who cries and covers their ears in reaction to a loud noise? Or a child who doesn’t like to be touched? Have you ever seen a child throw a tantrum over the lighting in a department store? Or be irritated by the very clothing on their back? They could be suffering from a peculiar condition known as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction (SI). SPD is a condition that exists when sensory information is perceived abnormally, often causing distress or confusion. It can eventually be controlled with proper therapy treatment.

October has been declared National Sensory Awareness Month by the American Occupational Therapists Association in hopes of raising awareness about SPD and Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center is hosting a unique weeklong event, October 29-November 2, in an effort to educate our local community. The Schreiber Pediatric Occupational Therapy staff will be creating an authentic pirate adventure that will help children recognize sensory information and learn to interpret and respond to their environment.

The voyage will begin in Schreiber Pediatric’s lobby where children will step aboard a pirate ship. Once aboard the ship, they will participate in activities designed specifically to stimulate their five senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. Stations throughout the Center will include walking on a rocking ship, talking like a pirate (aargh!), manning up for a “tattoo,” dressing like a pirate in vests to practice skills like tying, as well as trying on eye patches and hats, smelling stolen spices tasting some pirate faire like crackers and root beer!

The program will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. All clients of Schreiber Pediatric and their siblings are invited to participate. For more information, please contact Angie Rice, Director of Occupational Therapy at Schreiber Pediatric, at 717-393-0425 ext.132 or arice@schreiberpediatric.org.

Children who attend Schreiber Pediatric for SPD are referred to an occupational therapist who creates a sensory profile that demonstrates how the child is interpreting his/her senses. Therapy helps the child to manage his/her responses to sensations and to react in a typical manner. For more information on Schreiber Pediatric, please visit our web site at www.schreiberpediatric.org.