How Developmental Trauma and Sensory Integration Affect
Mental Health (Recorded Webinar)

Presented by Teddie Buchner

How Developmental Trauma and Sensory Integration Affect Mental Health (Recorded Webinar)
Video Runtime: 60 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 23 Minutes

This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.

Systems do not exist in a vacuum but are interrelated, as are their development. Children’s lived experiences through their physical, emotional, and sensory systems influence the development and function of their neurobiology and socioemotional patterns as they mature. Occupational therapists are increasingly receiving referrals to work with children to address complex pediatric emotional regulation symptomology related to trauma, sensory processing, and mental illness in schools and other clinical settings, but often lack the integrated knowledge of the complex occupational impact of these factors. Trauma, sensory processing, and mental illness are linked through neurobiology, not only through behavior, but due to anatomical and physiological changes in brain structure of children with trauma histories. Understanding the related neurobiological and functional implications of developmental trauma, sensory processing, and pediatric mental health is critical in treating children with emotional regulation challenges. Understanding the functional implications of these developmental influences may promote a more holistic intervention approach in pediatric practice. Understanding the neurology behind the behaviors may facilitate the unique intervention approach needed by each child.

Learning Outcomes
  • Examine developmental trauma and its influence on the developing brain
  • Determine the neurobiological roots of atypical sensory integration and its impact on occupational participation
  • Correlate atypical neurodevelopment resulting from developmental trauma with the neurobiology of sensory integration
  • Relate the neurobiological impact of atypical sensory integration and developmental trauma to increased risk of mental illness
  • Link aspects of developmental trauma, atypical sensory integration, and mental illness to functional outcomes and occupational participation in children and adults

Meet your instructor

A woman with long blonde hair and glasses smiles, wearing a dark sweater, representing the future of medbridge in healthcare.

Teddie Buchner

Dr. Teddie Buchner completed her PhD in occupational therapy at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She graduated summa cum laude from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan with an undergraduate degree integrating Biomedical Science and Developmental Psychology. Subsequently, she…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Developmental Trauma

1. Developmental Trauma

This section starts with a definition of developmental trauma. ACES are discussed, and the resultant trauma-related neurobiology is outlined.

Sensory Integration

2. Sensory Integration

Sensory integration is defined and described with supporting evidence-based models. The neurobiology of atypical sensory integration is related to the neurobiology of trauma, demonstrating the overlap in symptomology and related behavior.

Mental Illness and Its Connection With Developmental Trauma and Atypical Sensory Integration

3. Mental Illness and Its Connection With Developmental Trauma and Atypical Sensory Integration

The connection between atypical sensory integration, developmental trauma, and mental illness is explored. Functional implications of mental illness related to trauma and sensory differences are discussed in terms of occupational dysfunction.

Question and Answer Session

4. Question and Answer Session

This chapter is a viewer-submitted question and answer session facilitated by the instructor of this course, Teddie Buchner.

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