Raising Kids With Sensory Processing Disorders

Varleisha Lyons, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS Related seminars and products

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Varleisha D. Lyons (formerly Gibbs), PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS, is an occupational therapist and author with over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing disorders and neurological disorders. She developed and founded Delaware’s first occupational therapy program and became the first black indigenous American woman to serve as the Scientific Programs Officer at the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. Currently, she is the Vice President of Diversity Equity Inclusion Justice Access and Belonging at the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

Varleisha continues to lecture and provides training on sensory processing strategies and self-regulation to practitioners, parents, and teachers throughout the country and internationally. As co-author of Raising Kids with Sensory Processing Disorders, she has provided families with strategies to understand and care for their children. Dr. Lyons is the developer of the Self-Regulation and Mindfulness program and author of the best-selling book, Self-Regulation and Mindfulness: Exercises and Worksheets for Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (PESI Publishing & Media). She is the co-author of Trauma Treatment in ACTION: Over 85 Activities to Move Clients Toward Healing, Growth and Improved Functioning (PESI Publishing & Media). Her areas of expertise include neuroanatomy, self-regulation strategies across the lifespan, health inequities, and trauma responsive approaches.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this presentation belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization, committee or other group or individual. Varleisha D. Lyons PhD, OTR/L is employed by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). This work is independent of her role and not affiliated with AOTA, Inc.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Varleisha Lyons has employment relationships with the American Occupational Therapy Association and VDTG, Inc. She receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Lyons receives a speaking honorarium, recording and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Varleisha Lyons is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus. She serves on the advisory board of George Washington University Programs in Occupational Therapy and is a board member of the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action.

Rondalyn Varney Varney Whitney PHD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Ph.D., OT/L, FAOTA Related seminars and products

Chair of the OT Department, Associate Professor

Clarkson University

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Rondalyn Varney Whitney, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is an occupational therapist, educator, and researcher with over 20 years of experience. Her work focuses on the family as a system and she specializes in pediatric mental health and reducing barriers to family quality of life for families of children with autism and related disorders. Dr. Whitney is a prolific author, including Nonverbal Learning Disorder: Understanding and Coping with NLD and Asperger's (TarcherPerigee, 2008); Raising Kids with Sensory Processing Disorders (Prufrock Press, 2013); and Self-Regulation: A Family Systems Approach for Children with Autism, Learning Disabilities, ADHD & Sensory Disorders (PESI, 2014).  She is a featured author in The Out of Sync Child Has Fun (TarcherPerigee, 2006), Sensory Focus Magazine, Today in OT and OT Practice.

Dr. Whitney presents nationally and internationally on ASD, sensory processing, family quality of life, therapeutic humor, social skills program development and related topics. She is a pioneer of innovative social programs which serve as a model for many programs utilized today. Dr. Whitney is a recognized leader in the American Occupational Therapy Association and a recipient of multiple awards for excellence. She is certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) and has an advanced practice designation in Feeding and Swallowing from the state of California. Dr. Whitney is an associate professor and chair of the OT Department at the Clarkson University in the North Country of New York.  Her research interests are in family quality of life, family resilience, and sensory processing as a barrier or support to social participation.

 

Speaker Disclosures: 
Financial: Dr. Rondalyn Varney Whitney maintains a private consulting practice.  She is an associate professor at Clarkson University.  She is an author for Perigee Press, Prufrock Press, and PESI Publishing and Media and receives royalties.  She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.  Rondalyn has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Rondalyn Varney Whitney is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Occupation Therapy Association of Maryland.