Expanding Sensory Access Through Partnerships with Child Life Specialists Lesson

Course Description

Discuss how we saw a need for proper use of sensory tools and regulation activities for pediatric patients experiencing inpatient stays as well as hospital procedures, how we collaborated to develop a system wide policy regarding sensory rooms and use of sensory equipment, how we collaborate for continued education, actionable steps clinicians could take to implement any one of these items into their work

Objectives

Speakers

Taelor Coyle, MOTR/L, BCP

Taelor Coyle, MOTR/L, BCP has practiced pediatric occupational therapy since July 2014 in a variety of settings. She has worked in hospital-based outpatient pediatric therapy for the last 10 years, where she has served as the Sensory Integration Advanced Rehab Clinician since 2020. In addition to receiving her AOTA Board Certification in Pediatrics, she has taken extensive continuing education in sensory processing and regulation. She has served in multiple volunteer positions, the most recent being Outreach Lead for AOTA Sensory Integration and Processing Special Interest Section.

Taelor is committed to supporting neurodivergent patients and educating others on how to incorporate sensory regulation activities into their practice. This forged a collaborative relationship with Adaptive Care Child Life Specialists to expand access and understanding.

Emmy Minges

Emmy started her career with Intermountain Health in Salt Lake Valley emergency departments as a certified child life specialist. In 2022, she helped launch the Adaptive Care Program at Primary Children’s Hospital, focused on improving access and equity for individuals with disabilities. Over the past three years, Emmy and her team have built a strong network to identify and implement accommodations that foster collaboration among patients, families, and providers. Recently, Emmy completed her Master’s in Healthcare Administration and has transitioned to a leadership role in her hospital’s Behavioral Health team. She loves creating environments where patients, families, and employees feel supported and where teams can thrive together.