Contributors: Carole Dinan, OTD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Heidi Robertson, OTD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and alumni: Megan Gatsogiannis, MS, OTR/L,Katrina Vallario, MS, OTR/L
Occupational therapy students in our MSOT program gain hands-on experience in sensory integration and pediatric interventions using Southpaw sensory integration tools. The philosophy of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) Occupational Therapy Program is designed to mirror real-world clinical setting, ensuring students are well prepared for professional practice.
Our pediatric labs were designed to replicate an outpatient clinic, including multiple swing hooks and a variety of Southpaw swings, and multi-sensory tools. This immersive learning environment allows students to deepen their understanding of interventions, trial equipment firsthand, and refine their clinical reasoning skills before entering fieldwork.
Two alumni who now work in pediatric settings share how this hands-on experience shaped their professional development:
“The occupational therapy pediatrics lab at MCPHS provided a comprehensive, hands-on learning environment that was critical to my professional development. The lab was equipped with adaptive equipment, sensory swings, activity panels, weighted products, and assistive technologies that closely mirrored real-world clinical settings, allowing me to gain practical experience in pediatric intervention strategies and equipment usage before entering fieldwork."
“Practicing with specialized pediatric equipment—such as adaptive seating, communication devices, sensory integration tools, and multi-sensory equipment—helped me develop critical clinical reasoning skills and confidence in evaluating and modifying interventions for children with diverse needs. This hands-on preparation was instrumental in streamlining my transition to fieldwork and ultimately in becoming an effective occupational therapist, enabling me to quickly assess and implement appropriate interventions in my current clinical role to meet the sensory needs of each child who walks into the clinic.”
Beyond academic learning, this lab provides an immersive learning experience for students to personally experience sensory regulation. Engaging with swings like the bolster, rainbow, platform, and buoy swings allow students to feel the direct effects of sensory input—whether calming a heightened nervous system or increasing arousal levels. This firsthand experience strengthened their understanding of sensory integration, reinforcing the importance of individualized therapy approaches.