The Role of OT in Developing Sensory Friendly Spaces for Higher Education

Learner Outcomes

1. Describe why sensory spaces in academic/post-professional settings are needed to maintain healthy
   student-specific roles and routines for learning.
2. Understand the process and steps required for the implementation of a sensory space, including
   identifying the associated barriers that may be involved in higher education.
3. Identify different types of sensory-friendly spaces and how to modify existing environments based on
   different space needs and identify potential resources and equipment items.
4. Identify opportunities for OT’s future role in developing and creating sensory-friendly spaces for higher
   education settings.

Abstract

This presentation will explore the process, including barriers, for the creation of sensory spaces on a university campus. Research on graduate students indicates that over 80% of students report moderate or a great deal of stress when surveyed, demonstrating they are experiencing some of the highest levels of stress they have ever experienced (Ickes et al., 2015). Needs assessment data collected from interprofessional students from the Creighton University Health Science Phoenix campus indicates a desire and a need for opportunities and spaces open to students to mitigate this stress. University campuses offer a variety of unique stressful environmental contexts, including high-stakes practicums and exams, anatomy cadaver labs, and simulation events, lending toward the need for different opportunities for non-traditional sensory-friendly spaces to allow for student self-regulation. OTs should consider this client population and play a role in designing and implementing these opportunities specific to graduate-level students. During this presentation, participants will be able to view and interact with Creighton’s Cura Corner, a current space in the library that offers sensory and mental health grab-and-go services accessible to students.

Biography
Carrie Bose, OTD, OTR/L, BCP is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and the OT Pathway Coordinator in the Creighton University Phoenix Health Science campus. She teaches the pediatric, physical rehabilitation and mental health coursework and provides mentorship to Capstone students in developing sensory friendly environments.

Jessica Rivera is a recent graduate in Occupational Therapy at Creighton University and was part of the first graduating class of the Creighton Phoenix pathway. Her doctoral capstone focused on the role of OT in the creation of sensory-friendly spaces for professional students in academic settings. (Note: As a 3rd year OT student this bio was written before the attainment of credentials)

Karina Kletscher, MLIS, AHIP is a Health Sciences Librarian on the Creighton University Health Sciences Campus - Phoenix. Her research interests include the academic library’s role in fostering student success and belonging. In 2022, she co-founded a new wellness initiative: the Cura Corner, a dedicated wellness corner in the library.

References to support evidence-based practice

Ickes, M. J., Brown, J., Reeves, B., & Zephyr, P. M. D. (2015). Differences between Undergraduate and Graduate Students in Stress and Coping Strategies. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 13(1), 13-25. https://doi.org/10.32398/cjhp.v13i1.1810

Henton, P. A., Gambrel, A., Klah, J., Rink, C., Targonski, C., & Wirtz, S. (2021). Perceptions of stress, mindfulness, and occupational engagement among graduate-level OT students. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.75s2-rp140

Challis, B., Hildred, M., & Bailey, J. R. (2020). Commentary on “multisensory rooms: Essential characteristics and barriers to effective practice.” Tizard Learning Disability Review, 25(2), 77–81. https://doi.org/10.1108/tldr-01-2020-0001

Kothari, J., & Seruya, F. (2020). OTs’ and clinical staffs’ perceptions of sensory rooms in mental-health settings. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(4_Supplement_1). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74s1-po7509