Making Meaningful Differences for Individuals with Autism with Amy Laurent
Today Dr. Dan interviews Amy Laurent, Ph.D., OTR/L, a developmental psychologist and a registered pediatric occupational therapist. Currently in private practice in Rhode Island, Amy specializes in the education of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related developmental disabilities.
Amy’s work involves collaborating with and supporting early intervention teams, school teams, and families with the creation of educational programs and environments that facilitate children’s active engagement and learning at home, in schools, and throughout their communities. The SCERTS Model, of which she is a co-author, along with differentiated instruction and developmental theory, guide her practice.
In this episode Dr. Dan and Amy focus on Amy’s work including defining the SCERTS model for autism intervention and how the model works. Dr. Dan supports strength-based interventions and hearing this episode will inspire many families as Dr. Dan and Amy explore language, social skills, sensory systems, transitions, executive functioning and more. Amy’s passion about the importance of focusing on the relationship with your child is contagious as is her charming story about a Parent Footprint moment with her son.
In addition, Dr. Dan and Amy speak a bit about a new seminal study on SCERTS, emotional regulation and parenting.
Amy is an adjunct faculty member for the Department of Psychology at the University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. She teaches courses focused on Developmental Psychology. Previously, she has served as an adjunct faculty member for the Communication Disorders Department at Emerson College and at the University of Rhode Island. In these roles, she developed graduate courses focused on preparing clinicians to meet the needs of children with autism, as well as the needs of their families.
Amy’s current research interests involve examining the relationship between characteristics of young children diagnosed with Autism and strategies used by parents to support them within the context of natural routines and play. Her publications focus on social communication and emotional regulation in individuals diagnosed with ASD. She frequently lectures and provides training throughout the United States and internationally on the SCERTS Model, and other topics related to therapeutic and educational intervention for children with ASD.