SENSE Workshop — Supporting NICU Sensory Experiences
SENSE Workshop — Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences
Learn the Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE) Program directly from its developer, Professor Bobbi Pineda. This one day, practical workshop provides tools, week by week interventions and assessment strategies to optimise sensory care for high risk infants and to engage and coach families effectively in the NICU.
Why attend?
The SENSE Program delivers clear, multimodal guidance for providing developmentally appropriate positive sensory exposures throughout an infant’s hospitalisation in the NICU. This workshop will give you the skills to implement evidence based sensory interventions, assess infant tolerance, and embed family centred sensory care in your unit.
Key learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop you will be able to:
• Describe the core elements and evidence behind the SENSE Program.
• Demonstrate assessment strategies to evaluate infant tolerance.
• Apply specific strategies to enhance sensory exposures in the NICU.
• Use the week by week guide to deliver consistent, developmentally appropriate sensory interventions.
• Coach and engage families to provide positive sensory experiences.
• Plan implementation strategies and use practical tools to support staff and families.
Who should attend?
Neonatal clinicians (OTs, PTs, nurses, speech pathologists, doctors, midwifes), clinical leaders, quality improvement staff and others involved in NICU care who wish to implement or strengthen sensory based, family centred practice.
Workshop trainer
Professor Bobbi Pineda (PhD, OTR/L, CNT) is the developer of the SENSE Program and one of the world's leading neonatal occupational therapist clinician researchers. Based at the University of Southern California, Bobbi has spent over 30 years transforming how clinicians care for high-risk infants and their families in the NICU. Her SENSE Program is now implemented in more than 500 NICUs worldwide. This workshop marks the first time Bobbi has delivered the SENSE training in Australia in person — an opportunity not to be missed.
Logistics & cost
Date: Monday 16 November 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm AEST (approx.) — total ~7 hours
Location: Larwill Art Series Workshop, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
Internal (MCRI / Royal Women’s & Royal Children’s Hospital / UniMelb staff)
Regular: $450.00
Early bird: $400.00 (book by 30 June 2026)
** For MCRI staff who want a staff reimbursement, please request an internal transfer from cost centre instead of purchasing a ticket, by emailing melissa.ho@mcri.edu.au
External participants
Regular: $550.00
Early bird: $500.00 (book by 30 June 2026)
All prices include morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, tea & coffee. Spaces are limited. Early registration recommended to avoid disappointment.
CEUs: Not offered at this time.
Cancellation & refund policy: Refunds are available for cancellations made on or before 1 November 2026. A cancellation fee of $50.00 AUD will be deducted. No refunds will be issued after this date. Workshop cancelled by organisers will be fully refunded.
For enquiries, please contact: Abbey Eeles — abbey.eeles@unimelb.edu.au
Learn the Supporting and Enhancing NICU Sensory Experiences (SENSE) Program directly from its developer, Professor Bobbi Pineda. This one day, practical workshop provides tools, week by week interventions and assessment strategies to optimise sensory care for high risk infants and to engage and coach families effectively in the NICU.
Why attend?
The SENSE Program delivers clear, multimodal guidance for providing developmentally appropriate positive sensory exposures throughout an infant’s hospitalisation in the NICU. This workshop will give you the skills to implement evidence based sensory interventions, assess infant tolerance, and embed family centred sensory care in your unit.
Key learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop you will be able to:
• Describe the core elements and evidence behind the SENSE Program.
• Demonstrate assessment strategies to evaluate infant tolerance.
• Apply specific strategies to enhance sensory exposures in the NICU.
• Use the week by week guide to deliver consistent, developmentally appropriate sensory interventions.
• Coach and engage families to provide positive sensory experiences.
• Plan implementation strategies and use practical tools to support staff and families.
Who should attend?
Neonatal clinicians (OTs, PTs, nurses, speech pathologists, doctors, midwifes), clinical leaders, quality improvement staff and others involved in NICU care who wish to implement or strengthen sensory based, family centred practice.
Workshop trainer
Professor Bobbi Pineda (PhD, OTR/L, CNT) is the developer of the SENSE Program and one of the world's leading neonatal occupational therapist clinician researchers. Based at the University of Southern California, Bobbi has spent over 30 years transforming how clinicians care for high-risk infants and their families in the NICU. Her SENSE Program is now implemented in more than 500 NICUs worldwide. This workshop marks the first time Bobbi has delivered the SENSE training in Australia in person — an opportunity not to be missed.
Logistics & cost
Date: Monday 16 November 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm AEST (approx.) — total ~7 hours
Location: Larwill Art Series Workshop, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
Internal (MCRI / Royal Women’s & Royal Children’s Hospital / UniMelb staff)
Regular: $450.00
Early bird: $400.00 (book by 30 June 2026)
** For MCRI staff who want a staff reimbursement, please request an internal transfer from cost centre instead of purchasing a ticket, by emailing melissa.ho@mcri.edu.au
External participants
Regular: $550.00
Early bird: $500.00 (book by 30 June 2026)
All prices include morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, tea & coffee. Spaces are limited. Early registration recommended to avoid disappointment.
CEUs: Not offered at this time.
Cancellation & refund policy: Refunds are available for cancellations made on or before 1 November 2026. A cancellation fee of $50.00 AUD will be deducted. No refunds will be issued after this date. Workshop cancelled by organisers will be fully refunded.
For enquiries, please contact: Abbey Eeles — abbey.eeles@unimelb.edu.au
Monday 16 November 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (UTC+10)
Location
Art Series Hotel The Larwill
48 Flemington Road, Parkville VIC 3052
Contact Details
Contact Form
SENSE Workshop — Supporting NICU Sensory Experiences
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