Announcing The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation Fellowship Program

By Michelle Clarke
Education Program Manager, SPD Foundation

The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation was excited to have our first Fellow of the Foundation during the summer of 2010. We were honored to have such an amazing candidate as Lisa Porter, MOT, OTR/L, from Portland, Oregon. Lisa had previously attended Level 1 and Level 2 Mentorships and was the ideal professional to help us launch our Fellowship program.

In her own words...

"It has been a privilege to spend the past 10 weeks pursuing a fellowship at the Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation and STAR (Sensory Therapies And Research) Center. I expected this to be an incredible learning experience, but could not have predicted the level of support and education that I have received. The STAR and SPDF staffs are passionate about working with children with sensory needs and are extremely giving of their time and knowledge.

I have been struck by the learning environment that has been created at the STAR Center. STAR therapists are open to brainstorming, sharing difficult cases, and asking for help when needed. They easily collaborate and are passionate about pushing themselves to be better, while also taking the time to pat each other on the back and realize that they "are enough." It has been inspiring to work with clinicians who are devoted to giving 150% to each family.

During these ten weeks I have grown in more ways than I can count. I have honed my clinical observation skills, testing abilities, and direct treatment strategies. I am more confident in my ability to educate parents on SPD and strategies for home and school. I look at each treatment session differently and truly believe that my own neuropathways have changed during my time at STAR!"

Lisa Porter, MOT, OTRL
September 5, 2010

From our perspective, Lisa truly became part of the team here in Denver. We are grateful for her professional contributions over the summer as well as her warmth, graciousness and positive energy she shared every day.

Fellows of the Foundation are graduates of Mentorship Levels 1 and 2 who complete the 12-week Fellowship which combines clinical work at the STAR Center and either research or writing as part of SPD Foundation team. Fellows are paid on a contract basis for about 60% to 80% of their time at the STAR Center; they contribute 20% to 40% of their time to the SPD Foundation. Fellows have an opportunity to enhance their clinical skills at the STAR center as well as participate in research or scholarly pursuits under the guidance of Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, Dr. Sarah A. Schoen and other research staff at the Foundation.

The Foundation will be accepting a Fellow for the summer of 2011. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact us at 303.794.1182 or email info@spdfoundation.net.