The Spiral Research Center and Sensory Processing Laboratory is located at OTA The Koomar Center, a name synonymous with excellence in health care, research and human service delivery since 1983.  It is sponsored by the Spiral Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting research and education in the area of sensory integration and Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD).  The Spiral Research Center and Laboratory is headed by Teresa A. May-Benson, Sc.D., OTR/L, a well-known expert in sensory integration in occupational therapy and known clinically for her work with children and adults with sensory processing problems.

The Spiral Research Center is dedicated to increasing knowledge of sensory processing and its effect on children and adults.  We strive to improve awareness of sensory dysfunction and how it impacts daily life. In addition to conducting our own research on Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), we conduct collaborative projects with other universities and organizations such as Brandeis University, Boston University, Thomas Jefferson University, The SPD Foundation and Pediatric Therapy Network.  Our research is approved by the Spiral Foundation Institutional Review Board, which ensures the ethical and humane treatment of persons enrolled in research.

Note: There is no obligation to participate in any research study.  If you are a client at OTA The Koomar Center, your child’s current or future services will not be affected based on your choice to participate.  All information collected at the time of testing is confidential.

Our Current Studies

Motor Control in Children with Autism

Sensory, Motor, Emotional and Parent Factors Associated with SPD

Sensory Processing in Typical Adults

Motor Control in Children with Autism

We are currently conducting an NIH study in collaboration with Brandeis University which involves examination of motor coordination and another unrelated study on the relationship of children’s sensory processing to aspects of their social, emotional and family functioning.

Currently we are seeking participants with

autism between the ages 5 and 12

sensory processing difficulties between the ages of 5 and 12

typically developing children between the ages of 5 and 12

Sensory, Motor, Emotional and Parent Factors Associated with SPD

This ongoing project has been active for over eight years and has sought to build a database of de-identified data of assessment information covering a variety of areas including children's sensory processing, motor skills, emotional and behavioral functioning, and parental self-efficacy.  A number of studies have already resulted from this database of information.  See The Spiral Foundation website for details.

For this study we are currently seeking children between four and 12 years who receive one initial Occupational Therapy evaluation at OTA The Koomar Center, which involves the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT).  Parents of children receiving this evaluation who agree to participate will be asked to complete a variety of questionnaires and grant access to their child's evaluation results.

Sensory Processing in Typical Adults

This study examines sensory processing skills in typically functioning adults.  This involves collecting information on the Adult/Adolescent Sensory History (AASH) on adults and adolescents age 13 years and older.

We have come to realize that to better understand SPD and its impact on individuals, we need information on typical sensory processing in the population as a whole.  To do so, we need as many adults and adolescents as possible from around the country and of all ages to give us feedback.

Please help us by completing our on-line survey.  This will take approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.  We hope to receive over 2,000 responses.  Locate our survey at

 If you are interested in participating in one of our studies, a Spiral Foundation Research Assistant will obtain some preliminary information from you that will help us determine if you or your child are eligible for any of our studies.  If your child is eligible, the research assistant will describe the appropriate study in detail.

What to Expect if you Participate

At the time of your child’s participation, you will be provided with a consent form to read and sign, and if your child is 7 years or older, he or she will be asked to print or sign that they understand the study.  Parents will be asked to fill out other forms about their child, too.

The time involved for each study varies somewhat but generally is between1 and1.5 hours.  Depending on the study your child is eligible for involvement may include a parent interview, completing various forms on your child’s performance, or completing testing in our lab. Specific tasks will be described for each appropriate study. We will schedule a time for participation that is convenient for you.

For more information, call 617-969-4410 x267 or e-mail:

Alison Teasdale, BSc, Senior Research Assistant, research@thespiralfoundation.org