Are you comfortable right now? How do your clothes feel against your skin? How does food feel inside of your mouth? Sensory integration is something we take for granted – but it’s a complex neurological process that describes how your brain processes information from your senses. It tells you when your heart's beating fast or when your stomach's churning, but it also explains why some people prefer working in a bustling coffee shop and others alone in a dark room. Occupational therapist Virginia Spielmann helps people with disordered sensory processing navigate the inputs that cause them distress. But we all have unique sensory profiles and preferences. "If you want to flourish," Spielmann says, "if you want to be happier, healthier, joyful, more productive, more loving, you owe it to yourself to start noticing your sensory needs." Virginia Spielmann is an Occupational Therapist and the Executive Director of STAR Institute for Sensory Processing. She obtained her PhD in Infant and Early Childhood Development in August 2021 and is Affiliate Faculty at Colorado State Department of Occupational Therapy. She co-founded & authored the Critical Core therapeutic role-playing game and co-developed the Palaana sensory lounger with SLACK Lifestyle. Her extensive clinical experience includes autism, differences in sensory integration/processing, infant mental health, adoption, developmental trauma, and physical disabilities. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx