Sensory processing is the ability to take in, organize, make sense and use sensory information received by the brain from the world around us. It serves as the foundation for gross motor, fine motor, self-care, and life skills. Research suggests that almost 50% of children with Down Syndrome experience challenges with sensory processing, compared to 5%- 16% in the general population.

Children with challenges processing sensations may experience any and all of the following: * Impaired ability to participate in activities of daily living * Poor self-esteem and confidence * Frustration * Difficulty with self-regulation and emotion-regulation * Poor fine and gross motor skills * Poor coordination * Delayed developmental milestones acquisition * Poor sleep * Reduced involvement and/or withdrawal from sensory experiences * Academic challenges

The UTEP Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program has partnered with a wide array of community partners to provide service learning opportunities. One such partnership is with Every Little Blessing Preschool (ELB). UTEP OTD students have the opportunity to engage and learn with and from our friends at ELB, providing screening, assessments and intervention, under the supervision and mentorship of highly trained and specialized faculty from the UTEP OT Department.

Our goal is to help ELB meet the sensory, developmental, social, functional and academic goals of their students and our friends with and without Down Syndrome and other related developmental disabilities.