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Welcome to the show notes for Episode 161 of the OT Schoolhouse Podcast.
Have you ever wondered how vestibular challenges might be impacting your students’ ability to succeed in the classroom?
In this episode, Dr. Annie Baltazar Mori and Dr. Jennifer Petersen join us to unpack the powerful connection between the vestibular and proprioceptive systems, sharing insights that can transform your approach to these often-overlooked issues. Vestibular disorders are frequently at the root of classroom challenges, affecting everything from focus to motor coordination. Our guests will guide us on how to help students improve not only their physical skills but also their confidence and self-esteem.
Tune in as Dr. Baltazar Mori and Dr. Petersen walk us through the latest research, share their clinical expertise, and offer practical strategies to help our students reach their full potential!
Listen now to learn the following objectives:
Learners will understand how the vestibular and proprioceptive systems interact.
Learners will identify at least 2 standardized assessment tools they can use to evaluate vestibular function in their students.
Learners will identify effective intervention strategies for vestibular disorders.
Learners will identify key strategies for educating teachers and others on recognizing vestibular challenges and embedding sensory-based interventions.
Guests Bios Annie Baltazar Mori OTD, OTR/L & Jennifer Petersen OTD, OTR/L, C/NDT
Dr. Annie Baltazar Mori is the owner and founder of playSense, a pediatric occupational therapy clinic in Redondo Beach, CA and ASImentoring.com an online Sensory Integration mentoring program. She earned her Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California. She lectures, nationally and internationally, on topics related to theory and application of sensory integration and social participation.
She is an instructor for the Collaborative for Leadership in Ayres Sensory Integration (CLASI) and has taught as an adjunct instructor at Thomas Jefferson University teaching advanced practice certificate courses in autism. She regularly participates in research and is a contributing author on several scientific research and professional articles with a focus in the field of occupational therapy and sensory integration (Baltazar Mori et al. 2017; Auld-Wright et al., 2023; 2014; Koester et al., 2014; Mailloux et al., 2014). She served as the chairperson of the Sensory Integration Special Interest Section for the AOTA.
Dr. Jennifer Petersen is on faculty in the Department of Occupational Therapy at St. Ambrose University in Iowa. Her expertise and personal interest have led to leading several projects and studies with her students related to the Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration (EASI). Beyond research participation, Dr. Petersen has also published scientific research articles (Mailloux et. Al., in press; Petersen et al., 2020; Petersen, 2017; Frolek Clark et al., 2011).
Prior to teaching, she completed her Master’s in Occupational Therapy through St. Ambrose University and her Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson University. Additionally, she pursued advanced practice certificates in ASI through USC/WPS, Autism from TJU, and Neuro-Developmental Treatment from the Neuro-Developmental Treatment Association.
Dr. Petersen has a natural inquiry of understanding how to provide best practice evaluation and intervention to achieve family and child centered goals. Throughout her advanced education, she has practiced at various pediatric clinics and has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of each child and family’s journey.
Quotes
“Our senses are the only way that we gather information from the world. Sensory integration is needed to learn in the classroom and to participate with our friends and to participate in life. “
-Dr. Baltazar Mori
“Sensory integration is a neurological process that we all have, and for us to ignore the integration of the senses outside of a clinic would be a huge disservice to a child.”
-Dr. Baltazar Mori
“Vestibular system projects to that cerebellum. We know cerebellum helps us with balancing and motor coordination, and also projects to the oculomotor nuclei”
-Dr. Peterson
“We live in a multi sensory world, and our senses work together. We take in multi sensory information, and it doesn't just fall into pockets. The senses work together to understand what's happening and it's really hard to have vestibular input without proprioception.”
-Dr. Baltazar Mori
“An average nervous system registers movement for about six to 12 seconds. So you'd expect that nystagmus to go for that long.”
-Dr. Baltazar Mori
Resources
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Episode Transcript
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