Baltic-Nordic collaboration regarding the alignment of standard knowledge within the field of sensory integration at the bachelor and postgraduate level Erasmus Project

Project Title

Baltic-Nordic collaboration regarding the alignment of standard knowledge within the field of sensory integration at the bachelor and postgraduate level

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Disabilities – special needs; Research and innovation

Project Summary

The main goal of BANISTER project is Baltic-Nordic collaboration regarding the alignment of standard knowledge within the field of sensory integration at the bachelor and postgraduate level. A. J. Ayres developed sensory Integration (SI) theory in the 1960’s and 70’s, during which she studied the connection between sensory processing in the brain and the behaviour of children with learning and behaviour disorders. The theory evolved from Ayres’ observation that children with learning disabilities had difficulty interpreting sensory information from their bodies and surroundings. She noticed that difficulties with sensory processing and integration often coincided with learning disabilities. To understand sensory integration, Ayres designed and adapted standardized tests that evaluated the elements of SI.
There are seven key persons (occupational therapists) engaged in the implementation of this project. Some of the participants are experts in the field of sensory integration and others are less experienced. Most of the participants has a long background of experience as a practicing occupational therapist an as seniorlecturers. The objective of this project is to develop a Baltic-Nordic Higher Education curriculum for the promotion of knowledge and professional skills within the field of sensory integration in order to strengthen the ability of occupational therapy practitioners to conduct a systematic assessment of SI and provide individually tailored SI intervention within their own countries. Despite progress in SI theory, it is still not widely developed in Europe, nor has it been integrated into practitioners’ curricula. In addition, we aim to lay the foundations for future Baltic-Nordic cooperation in the field of sensory integration through project activities, such as courses for practitioners and students conducted in countries where sensory integration is less developed. Furthermore, the project will encompass national data collecting and analyzing national data in order to allow for the validation of the evaluation tool EASI (Evaluation in Ayres Sensory Integration) to be the first reliable assessment instrument in Baltic-Nordic countries for sensory integration. The training modules produced in BANISTER will deal with basic neurological knowledge and understanding of SI, while providing students with tools and the expertise to analyze the EASI evaluation tool results. The project will also include translation of the EASI manual and test sheets into the languages of the participating countries so that EASI could be validated and used reliably in every participating country. Finally, the project will ensure that the necessary test equipment, such as tactile items (3D materials), will be created so they may be used for the data collection. The methodology to carry out the project will be the following: regarding data collection, all parties involved will collect normative data using the EASI test. The number of children to be tested is based on the proportion of participating country in regards to world population. Regarding the training modules, the aim of Module 1 is to create materials that enable participant to understand the current neuroscience. Also to relate sensory processing to the underlying neurology and evidence base of sensory integration. The aim of Module 2 is to create materials about theory of Sensory Integration. It covers the history, key concepts and relation between the concepts, core propositions, SI dysfunctions and their effect on children and families daily life. The aim of Module 3 is to give the participants the opportunity to learn how to use some available assessments of sensory integration through practical way. The ultimate goal of this project is to help children with special needs through a specific assessment with a reliable evaluation tool which gives occupational trustworthy results to create the best therapy plan for these children. In order to achieve it, the project will develop training module based on validated evaluation tool EASI to train professionals on how to interpret the results of EASI. Finally, we hope to strengthen cooperation and ensure equal education in sensory integration within the Baltic-Nordic countries. In the Baltic-Nordic SI Congress (Multiplier Event) the results of the project will be presented to professions in health care (occupational therapists, medical doctors, speech therapists, physical therapists, special educators) in Baltic-Nordic countries. Scientific articles will be sent to the American Journal of Occupational Therapy and the Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. In addition, articles to national occupational therapy journals will be written. As a result of this project, the SI Basic Course in English will be shared to other Universities interested, so they may benefit and use the results of this project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 245433 Eur

Project Coordinator

TALLINNA TERVISHOIU KÕRGKOOL & Country: EE

Project Partners

• TURUN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY
• Sensit Arbetsterapi AB
• KOBENHAVNS PROFESSIONSHOJSKOLE