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Description
This capstone project focused on promoting sensory-inclusive environments to support play and social participation among autistic children. The project was conducted in partnership with Straight From The Heart, a foster care organization in San Diego County. A community profile, literature review, and needs assessment were completed using caregiver and social worker surveys and semi-structured interviews with community organization professionals to identify environmental barriers, caregiver education needs, and resource priorities. The findings informed the development of sensory-inclusive educational resources and educational workshop. Stakeholder feedback was used to refine the resources and evaluate their perceived relevance and usefulness. The project highlights the role of occupational therapy in addressing environmental barriers and supporting participation through caregiver education, advocacy, and sensory-inclusive community resources.
Publication Date
Summer 2026
Publisher
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Keywords
Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing, sensory-inclusive environments, occupational participation, play, social participation, caregiver education, advocacy, foster care, occupational therapy
Medical Subject Headings
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Perception, Child, Foster, Foster Home Care, Psychosocial Intervention, Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Disciplines
Occupational Therapy
Recommended Citation
Bonilla, K., & Orozco Arteaga, J. (2026, July 1). Supporting Participation Through Sensory Inclusion. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonessummer2026/27
Comments
Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium, held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.