Course Description
This session offers an in-depth exploration of the Sensory Pyramid of Learning, breaking down each tier to examine how foundational sensory and motor skills influence student behavior. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how challenges at different levels of the pyramid can manifest in the classroom, affecting attention, emotional regulation, and overall academic performance.
Practical strategies for identifying and addressing these challenges will be discussed, empowering educators to create more supportive and effective learning environments.
Learning Objectives
1. Learners will be able to describe each tier of the Sensory Pyramid of Learning and its relevance to student behavior.
2. Learners will be able to identify at least three sensory-based strategies to address behavioral challenges in the classroom.
Contact Hours
This course is 1.5 hours in length. (0.15 AOTA CEUs)
OTSchoolhouse.com is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development, #0252.
National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy
As an AOTA-Approved provider of professional development, OTSchoolhouse.com courses are accepted by NBCOT® at a rate of 1.25 NBCOT PDUs per each hour of course content.
NBCOT® is a registered trademark of The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc.
Register for this course and future courses inside the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative for as little as $120
Agenda
0–5 minutes – Introduction
5–15 minutes Introduction to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Exploring its relevance to the Sensory Pyramid of Learning and its foundational role in supporting sensory and behavioral needs.
15–30 minutes – The Sensory Pyramid of Learning: A Deep Dive
Detailed explanation of each tier and how it connects to sensory processing and learning.on.
30–45 minutes – Behavior vs. Sensory Processing Disorders
Defining behavior and distinguishing it from sensory processing challenges.
45–60 minutes – Tantrums vs. Sensory Meltdowns
Key differences, triggers, and how to respond effectively to each
60–75 minutes – Strategies for Supporting Sensory Needs
Practical approaches for sensory-sensitive, sensory-avoiding, sensory-seeking, and under-reactive individuals.
75–85 minutes – Behavioral Support Techniques & Quick Tips
How to identify, understand, and address challenging behaviors in a supportive way and actionable strategies for teachers, administrators, and staff to create a sensory-friendly and inclusive environment.
85–90 minutes – Questions and Answers
Engage in open Q&A to reinforce key takeaways
Your Instructor
BrieLynn Sturm, MS, OTR/L
BrieLynn Sturm, MS, OTR/L (she/her/hers) is a School Based Occupational Therapist after earning her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy from Ithaca College in 2017. This is her 7th year as a School-Based OT with the Van Buren Intermediate School District in Southwest Michigan. It’s an honor to support students participate within the school environment by working directly with the students, teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators. BrieLynn was a presenter at the annual AOTA conference in 2019 where she presented original research, "The Effects of Yoga on Occupational Therapy Students". In 2024 she presented at the MiOTA Annual Conference her "PromOTing Big Ideas for Little Hands Presentation" and at the VBISD Behavior Conference "Understanding Behavior + Sensory: A Learning Pyramid Perspective Presentation." Outside of working in the schools, BrieLynn teaches a few hot yoga classes a week, runs a monthly babywearing group, loves playing with her husband and two young boys in almost any activity but especially running, yoga, and downhill skiing. One more fun fact about BrieLynn is her love of rainbows and flowers hoping to bring joy and light into the room and someone's day.
Registration
To access this course and others, become a member of the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative.
OTS Collab is an online community dedicated to providing school-based OT practitioners with highly valuable professional development and interactive support to implement learned strategies. In OTS Collab, we learn together, support and encourage one another, and celebrate our achievements as a collective whole.
Click here to learn more about the OT Schoolhouse Collaborative and register in our dedicated community of school-based OT practitioners.
Instructional Methods
A combination of speaker presentation with a slide deck and both synchronous & asynchronous Q+A with the presenter.
Target Audience
& Educational Level
This is an introductory level course intended for occupational therapy practitioners working in school systems or with a goal to better understand occupational therapy in school systems.
Course Completion Requirements
To receive a certificate for this course, you must watch the recorded course in its entirety. Then, you will need to take a learning assessment test and earn a score 75% or higher. If you pass, a certificate will be automatically generated and sent to your email.
Special Needs Requests
This course will include closed captioning and a transcript may be available upon request. You may also rewatch the course or sections of the course as needed. Additional accommodations may be requested by reaching out to us via email.
Financial & Non-financial Disclosures
Speaker Disclosure
Brie is receiving an honorarium for this course.
Sponsor Disclosure
The OTS Collaborative Community is a product of the OT Schoolhouse.
Content Disclosure
This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Terms and Conditions
Schoolhouse Education, LLC will keep a record of your completed CE courses. When applicable, transcript services may include reporting to professional associations and/or state licensure boards. While Schoolhouse Education, LLC will make all reasonable efforts to offer CE credit for its courses, it is not responsible for state or national, or regulatory current policies or changes in CE requirements that may make courses ineligible for CE credits.
Participant Agreement
By registering for or attending any event or activity associated with the Schoolhouse Education, LLC and OT Schoolhouse, I agree to the following:
Professional Development/Information Disclaimer
The material presented in this course is not intended to represent the only or the best methods appropriate for the occupational therapy and/or medical condition or professional development issues being discussed but rather is intended to present the opinions of the presenters, which may be helpful to other health care professionals at arriving at their own conclusions and consequent application. Attendees participating in this professional development education program do so with full knowledge that they waive any claim they may have against the A-Z School-Based OT Course, Schoolhouse Education, LLC, and OT School House and its staff or representatives for reliance on any information presented during these educational activities.
Waiver of Liability Agreement
I release Schoolhouse Education, LLC, OT Schoolhouse, and its staff, presenters, and any other individuals or entities associated with this course from any and all liability connected with my participation, as well as from any liability related to changes to the schedule, events or activities. I acknowledge and agree that I am participating on my own choice and assume all risk in connection thereof and that in the event that a need for emergency medical service arises, I authorize and consent to such services being provided at my own expense.
Cancelation & Refund Policy
In the event that Schoolhouse Education, LLC must cancel the event for any reason, participants will be offered a credit toward the rescheduled event. OT Schoolhouse Collaborative subscribers may cancel their subscription at any time.