Dr. Diego Casillas, OTD, OTR/L is an Occupational Therapist in the Round Lake District. He has worked in the district since August of 2001. Dr. Casillas received his Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Creighton University. He is certified in Sensory Integration, including administering and interpreting the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests. He co-authored the article “The Nonlinear Dynamics of Occupation: A Comparative Analysis of Nonlinear Dynamics and Sensory Integration” in the Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention. He conducted a phenomenological research study published in the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Special Interest Section on teachers’ perspectives of school based occupational therapy consultation services. Dr. Casillas has presented on Dynamic Systems Theory and its application to Occupational Therapy Assessment and Interventions, Motor Control/Motor Learning, and Handwriting Assessment/ Interventions to Occupational Therapy graduate students at multiple universities.

In his practice, Dr. Casillas utilizes Dynamics Systems Theory, among other theoretical frames of reference, to address sensory processing difficulties in children with ADHD, and/or autism spectrum disorders.  He has used this approach in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members to address self-regulation, self-management, sensory needs, and occupational and academic dysfunction in a holistic and comprehensive manner. Using this approach has allowed Dr. Casillas to use his related training in, sound-base therapies (Therapeutic Listening), self-regulation (The Alert Program), practical strategies for working with children with autism spectrum disorders and ADHD, assistive technology, visual perception, handwriting strategies, and sensory integration, to effectively facilitate positive change in his clients.