FAQs

What conditions do you treat at STAR Center?

STAR specializes in occupational therapy with a sensory integration approach for children and adults with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Also treated are other disorders and conditions when they include a sensory component, such as ADHD, dyslexia, auditory processing disorders, autistic spectrum disorders and others.

How does STAR differ from other clinics that treat these disorders?

Many qualities and services set STAR apart. Among them:

• Leadership by sensory authority and STAR director Dr. Lucy Jane Miller
• Expertise of our clinical director Dr. Sarah A Schoen
• Highly educated clinical team–all with master or doctorate degrees
• Research-based treatment strategies
• Extensive parent education
• Out-of-town clients have a special intensive program
• Integrated, multidisciplinary assessment and treatment
• State-of-the-art clinical facilities
• Research networking with top institutions nationwide
• Mentorship of advanced clinicians from around the country
• Sponsorship of the SPD Foundation, for more than 30 years the leading non-profit organization dedicated to research and education on Sensory Processing Disorder

What exactly is "multidisciplinary evaluation" and why do you put such an emphasis on it?

Multidisciplinary evaluation is assessment that involves practitioners from several different fields. At STAR Center, our evaluation team routinely includes a pediatrician, a clinical psychologist, and an occupational therapist. When appropriate, a speech-language pathologist and/or a feeding expert participates as well. Other specialists are available on a consulting basis. For more details about the multidisciplinary approach, click here.

We emphasize the multidisciplinary nature of our assessment process because it is one of the characteristics that sets us apart and that makes our treatment program so effective. We at STAR believe that appropriate and effective treatment is grounded in assessment that considers the whole person, whether child or adult.

Think of multidisciplinary assessment this way: If you were planning to address a system problem in your house, you wouldn't expect an electrician to identify problems in the foundation or a plumber to understand the condition of your roof. You also would know that just because the heating contractor said your furnace was in good condition, it didn't follow that all your windows were in good shape.

Multidisciplinary evaluation is based on the same concept – that assessing the human body and mind is a complex process in which the many systems involved are most accurately assessed when they're assessed by those who specialize in understanding and treating them.

At what age do you start treating clients?

Our clients have ranged from five months (e.g. "fussy babies" and infants with feeding issues) to grandmothers and grandfathers.

With Sensory Processing Disorder, the sooner an accurate diagnosis is made, the sooner intervention can begin–as early as infancy. However, many elementary-school children and adolescents benefit from occupational and other therapies, and a correct diagnosis of SPD or other sensory issues can foster understanding and adaptation at any age, even in adulthood.

Because of neurophysiologic maturity and its relationship to therapeutic effectiveness, adults often undertake fewer occupational therapy sessions and more listening sessions than do children.

Do you have specialties?

STAR specializes in pediatric occupational therapy for a variety of childhood disorders with a sensory component.

All of our therapists have advanced training and experience in specialized fields of sensory therapy. Among the specific areas where one of more of our clinicians have special expertise are -

• Diagnostic evaluation (SIPT, MAP, M-Fun, and many other scales)
• Feeding disorders
• Sensory over-reactivity, under-reactivity, and seeking
• Problems with fine and gross motor development
• Social skills problems
• Speech disorders/speech and language difficulties
• Emotional dysregulation (meltdowns)
• Handwriting problems
• Self-care difficulties, e.g., sleep, dressing, toileting, etc.

How long does it take to complete a treatment program?

The length of treatment varies depending on the number and frequency of sessions. Typically, a program incorporates three 50-minute sessions a week; exceptions may be made for those who can only participate twice a week. Once-weekly treatment is discouraged because it is less effective.

The first phase of treatment is usually completed in 10-15 weeks for in-town clients. Additional treatment is available if needed, but a break of 3 - 4 months is usually recommended before resuming.

For clients coming from out of town, diagnostic treatment is offered for one week. A complete treatment package of "intensives" lasts 3-4 weeks.

How do I get started?

E-mail info@STARCenter.us for assistance or answers to specific questions not answered by the web site. Our clinical coordinator, Andrea Stoker, will be in touch within two business days of receiving your email.

What tests are you certified to administer?

Nine nationally standardized measures used to assess and diagnose SPD and other developmental disorders and delays worldwide were developed by our director, Dr. Lucy Jane Miller, so STAR is exceptionally aware and expert in test administration. Members of our staff are certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT), the scales developed by Dr. Miller, MAP, M-Fun, and many other test batteries. Advanced clinicians from throughout the country come to STAR to be mentored by our clinical staff in administering standardized measurements. When you or your child is evaluated at STAR, you are being evaluated by the professionals from whom other professionals choose to learn assessment skills.

How much does treatment cost?

At STAR, telephone screening and an intake evaluation are provided to prospective clients at no charge.

The cost of any subsequent treatment varies with each client's diagnosis and treatment plan. Individual cost estimates are developed after the screening and intake processes are complete.

Discounts and payment plans are available. For complete information, click here.