Vincentia Ferrari said she always wanted to work with children – and initially the 2003 Bridgeport High School graduate considered teaching. But when – through a connection with colleagues of her mom Patricia, a speech therapist - she had opportunity to watch an occupational therapist in action, she knew that’s exactly what she wanted to do.

 

Now an occupational therapist with STAR Institute in Denver, Colorado – the premier treatment, research and education center for children and adults with Sensory Processing Disorders – she knows without a doubt she made the right decision.

 

“When a family comes from across the world to seek help and information, desperate to get answers, it is incredibly gratifying and rewarding to be there when they find what they are looking for and know that their lives have been changed. They are overwhelmed by a sense of relief and gratitude, in which I get to share,” Ferrari said. “And when I’m able to see a child finally able to ‘connect’ with his or her parents – the gleam in their eyes when they are sharing true joy – gives me goose bumps every time.”

 

Ferrari graduated from West Virginia University in 2007 after earning a bachelor’s degree in human health and performance and a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

 

Before relocating to Denver to join STAR, Ferrari worked with West Virginia Early Intervention, as well as outpatient clinics including Cornerstone Pediatric Center. She also contracted with Doddridge County Schools. 

 

Her work in West Virginia included hippo-therapy through the use of horses and other animal-assisted therapies, even utilizing her own dog, Harley in that therapy. 

Being able to work with animals to help children was, in fact, the second reason she sought OT as a profession.

 

She said she feels very fortunate to be part of STAR, working with the institute’s founder and world-renowned occupational therapist Dr. Lucy Jane Miller.

 

The facility’s services include OT, speech language therapy, feeding therapy and mental health support. STAR Institute therapists use the principles of sensory integration, play, and engagement to help improve neurological functioning.

 

There are a few elements of the STAR program that makes it so successful. Included is implementation of a team approach.

 

“Collaboration is an integral part of treatment here,” Ferrari said. “We emphasize play and follow a child-directed, therapist facilitated model.  For example, the majority of the therapists are certified in D.I.R. (Developmental, Individual-differences and Relationship-based model).”

 

STAR’s model is intensive based, meaning 20- to 30-session booster programs with a minimum of three treatments per week.

 

“The intensive model has shown to help improve neurological functioning,” Ferrari said. “The increase in neural connectivity and efficiency can help a person improve his/her ability to have happy, healthy interactions at home, school and in other areas of his or her life.”

 

STAR’s research foundation works with a scientific work group including Harvard, Vanderbilt, Temple, Wake Forest and other colleges around the country.

 

“It is so exciting to be on the cutting edge of treatment research. We can test the research in our own clinic with patients and train other therapists and parents to adapt the techniques and programs in their clinics or homes.”

 

STAR continually receives new information and treatment techniques.

 

“Many companies pilot their equipment and programs with STAR,” she said. “That is very unique and exciting to be part of.”

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) includes feeding disorders and other disorders with sensory issues such as autism and ADHD. 

 

 

Ferrari encourages parents, teachers and clinicians everywhere to be more aware of Sensory Processing Disorder. Studies show that between five and 16 percent of children are impacted in some way, affecting the body’s ability to accurately or efficiently take in, process and/or use sensory information, she said. Most often, the term SPD triggers thoughts of children along the Autism Spectrum Disorder or sensitivities to clothing, Ferrari said.

 

“These associations are one small part of the picture of SPD. It can look different in different children,” she said.

 

SPD may impact motor functioning – fine and gross motor skills – our sensitivity to sensory input – think over or under reaction to input,” she said.

 

Impact of motor functioning – fine and gross motor skills or feeling overwhelmed when in crowded, noisy areas or even getting hurt, but not being able to identify where the pain is are all ways in which SPD can present itself, Ferrari said.

 

“Children can have a combination of these challenges and they may or may not have autism spectrum disorder or any other diagnosis/challenges besides SPD,” she said.

 

Her best advice is to always continue to seek answers and never give up. Families come to STAR sometimes very hopeless, but leave with much hope.

 

"The STAR staff is one of the most dedicated I have been involved with,” she said. “We truly work together for the better of the child and family. We witness miracles every day. I love being part of the STAR family.”