February 2010

Vol. 1 No. 1

Purpose of the Newsletter

Hooray the Newsletter is finally out! Many thanks to Paulo for his techinal expertise with formatting the Newsletter

The newsletter is intended to keep the SIGN community updated with announcements and the minutes from recent SIGN meetings.

Updates to committee structure, meeting dates, and developments within thepractice of Ayres Sensory Integration® (ASI) are provided.

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News and Minutes from SIGN

S.I. Global Network (SIGN) Meeting Minutes 2/20/09

Moderation: Susanne Smith Roley, Elisabeth Soechting, Diana Henry, Colleen Barasbara
Minutes: Aneeta Sagar kinderclinic@yahoo.com

Introduction of participants: from US, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Austria, Argentina, Portugal, Sweden, South Africa, Canada

Elisabeth Soechting on the history of  SI in Austria and SIGN

History of development of SI in Austria may serve as a model for other countries: First Austrian SI course series with US instructors (Zoe Mailloux, Susanne Smith Roley) in 1995, Elisabeth and 3 colleagues founded a non profit organization, GSIOe (Austrian Society of SI), developed own curriculum based on US courses, implemented SIPT standardization pilot project and translations of core SI literature into German with a renowned medical publisher. She discussed the origins of the first international meeting in Feb. 2003: in German speaking countries publications on SI by other professionals (teachers, educators) that were popular but had misunderstandings of the concept, were simplified, had no research basis, and give no recognition of OT.

Diana Henry on the Trademark for Ayres Sensory Integration ®

Presented a slide show of when SIGN started.
Presented rationale of a trademark for ASI; published as an article in OT Practice (2007). Lawene Kovalenko articulated concerns about trademarking ASI® and how it will be used. 

Diane Parham on the “Fidelity Measure”

A national committee of experts in OT and SI developed a tool defining the structural and process elements of ASI.  Article published in AJOT March/April 2007 and in press, AJOT, 2010.  

Zoe Mailloux on translations:

Reported on translations of Erna Blanche’s “Clinical Observations” video into Portuguese, German and Spanish with Time Warner Cable company.
A parent (Kim Lesserman) would like to donate some hours towards creating the web design for “SIGN”

Paulo Fernandes (Portugal) on the SIGN Websitewww.siglobalnetwork.org
Current webmaster of SIGN website is Tara Glennon (developed design), was not present at this meeting.Paulo proposes a new web design which was positively received by participants. Procedure: Paulo should contact Tara on implementing features (world map) and design.
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Colleen Barasbara discussed the goals of SIGN International Committee

a      Promote ASI® internationally through the use of a web based network by connecting with and supporting therapists globally who practice within the realm of ASI
b.        Encourage therapists to monitor and develop their practice through the use of the ASI®fidelity measure
c.       Encourage and translate website information into a variety of languages

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Discussion Lead by International Committee:

Susanne Smith Roley and Elisabeth Soechting discussed the”International Coalition for Education in Sensory Integration” (ICESI)
This was formed at the SIGN meeting in 2008. ICESI intends to serve as a guideline and as a center of Integrity, Commitment, and Excellence in the education of Sensory Integration

Translations of website

Main pages of the website are being translated into Spanish (Isabelle), Portuguese (Paolo), German (Elisabeth), Greek (Annie), French (Yolaine), and Polish (Malgorzata )

Consensus that research articles will not be translated

Sept 2009 issue of the Canadian “OT NOW” features all about the “Sensory Processing Issue” – articles are welcome!

Discussion about communication among SIGN members: agreement that it will remain via e-mail.

Additional presence of SIGN through periodical SIGN newsletter – Richard Furbush offers to edit it

Next Proceedings

SIGN meeting at R2K February 19 and 20,  2010 in Torrence California.

Prior Proceedings
SIGN meeting @ AOTA conference April, 2009 (minutes will be included in next newsletter)

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SIGN Committees

CONTENT COMMITTEE

Purpose: Create the mechanisms to disseminate information in order to meet ongoing professional demands. This includes the dissemination of information via international workshops, professional writings, development of the website content areas, and create and maintain the website with ongoing development/revisions as deemed necessary.

Leader: Tara J. Glennon, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA & Susanne Smith Roley MS, OTR/L, FAOTA

STRUCTURE COMMITTEE

Purpose: Explore possibilities for cooperation with the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), national OT associations, and other professional associations focusing on sensory integration.

Leader: Zoe Mailloux MA, OTR/L, FAOTA

RESEARCH COMMMITTEE

Purpose: Identify research articles which support the work and core concepts of Ayres Sensory Integration, summarize the research content, and provide the information to interested parties via the website.

Leader : Heather Miller Kuhaneck, MS, OTR/L

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

Purpose: Explore international contacts and representatives of organizations committed to sensory integration, compile names and contact information, and disseminate as necessary. If you want to be on our contact list please write to info@sign.org

Leader : Colleen Basaraba, BEd, BScOT(C), OTR and Diana A. Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA

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