STAR Institute for Sensory Processing

What STAR Institute for Sensory Processing does

STAR Institute for Sensory Processing, organized as the 501(c)(3) STAR Center Foundation (EIN 27-4386097), was founded by Dr. Lucy Jane Miller in 1996 in Colorado and operates as a global leader in sensory integration research, treatment, and education. The organization serves individuals across the lifespan (infants through adults) with sensory processing differences and co-occurring conditions including autism, ADHD, feeding disorders, and dyspraxia, as well as their families and allied health professionals. Clinical reach spans clients from 38 countries and 49 U.S. states, while educational programming reaches 90 countries; 11,000+ parents and professionals have attended STAR events in the past five years.

The platform is built on three integrated pillars. The clinical pillar is anchored by the proprietary STAR Frame of Reference — a neurodiversity-affirming, biopsychosocial-environmental treatment model — supported by in-house assessment instruments including the Sensory Processing 3 Dimensions (SP3D) Scale and the Sensory Processing Scale Inventory (SPSI). Treatment is delivered through an intensive "burst" model (3-5 sessions per week) across pediatric OT, adult OT, SOS Approach to Feeding therapy, mental health, AAC, and autism-specific services, offered at the Centennial, Colorado clinic and via telehealth. The education pillar comprises the SPD University online learning platform (60+ courses on a CrowdWisdom-powered LMS), the multi-tier STAR Certification Pathway (Level 1/2 Mentorships, Proficiency Levels I/II, School-Based Intensives), the annual International 3S Symposium, recurring Virtual Summits, the Clinical Group Supervision Program, and media including the Making Sense podcast and the Hulu-debuted Sensory Overload documentary. The research pillar has published 45 peer-reviewed studies since 2020 and produced tools such as the SP3D.

Revenue is generated through a diversified, multi-stream model: clinical fee-for-service therapy (now including Colorado Medicaid since September 2023), recurring SPD University subscriptions ($49 parent/individual, $199 professional, organization tiers), certification and mentorship fees, symposium ticketing, group program fees, one-time course and video bundle sales, plus donations and grants from foundations, corporate partners, and Colorado Gives Day. STAR served 2,000+ families through clinical services over the past five years and trained 2,800+ providers across 50 states and 51 countries in 2023.

Name

STAR Institute for Sensory Processing

Legal name

STAR Center Foundation

Website

https://sensoryhealth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

STAR Institute for Sensory Processing is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing research, treatment, and education on sensory integration for individuals across the lifespan, their families, and allied health professionals globally, through clinical therapy, certification programs, online learning, and annual symposiums.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Centennial

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Clinical Therapy Services: Fee-based pediatric and adult occupational therapy, feeding therapy, mental health, AAC, and intensive "burst" programs delivered in clinic and via telehealth; also now accepts Colorado Medicaid.
2. Online Learning Subscriptions: Recurring annual subscriptions to SPD University for Parents/Individuals ($49), Professionals ($199), and Organizations; includes access to 60+ online courses.
3. Professional Certification & Mentorship: One-time and cohort-based revenue from STAR Certification Pathway, Level 1/Level 2 Intensive Mentorships, and Group Supervision Programs for occupational therapists.
4. Symposium & Conference Registrations: Ticket sales for annual STAR Sensory Symposium, International 3S Symposium, Virtual Summits, and pre-symposium workshops; subscribers receive lowest pricing.
5. Digital Course & Video Bundle Sales: One-time purchases of online video series (e.g., Adult SENSE $30, Social Success, Foundations of Development) and on-demand symposium recording bundles (e.g., 2024 Recording Bundle $379).
6. Donations & Grants: Charitable contributions from individuals, corporate partners, and Colorado Gives Day ($1M Incentive Fund), plus grants from organizations such as Developmental Pathways and Colorado Garden Foundation.
7. Group Therapy & Program Fees: Fee-for-service group programs such as Movement and Music ($400), Trampoline Class ($450/10 sessions), Critical Core ($500/child/week), online STAR groups ($300/child/week), and preschool readiness programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

STAR Institute for Sensory Processing delivers pediatric and adult occupational therapy, feeding therapy, mental health, and AAC services through an intensive "burst" therapy model at its Centennial, Colorado clinic and via telehealth. The institute monetizes a proprietary clinical framework (STAR Frame of Reference) across three integrated pillars: clinical treatment, professional education via SPD University subscriptions, certification pathways, and symposiums, plus a research center that has produced 45 published studies since 2020 and the SP3D and SPSI assessment instruments.

Product overview

STAR Institute for Sensory Processing operates a platform-plus-modules architecture organized around three integrated pillars: Treatment, Education, and Research. The core product is the STAR Institute Treatment Center, which delivers intensive "burst" therapy (3-5 times per week) for children, adolescents, and adults through sub-services such as Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Adult Occupational Therapy, Feeding Therapy (SOS Feeding Solutions), AAC Services, Handwriting, Mental Health Services, and Autism Specific Services. The clinical model is anchored by the proprietary STAR Frame of Reference / STAR PROCESS treatment model. The Education pillar is delivered through the SPD University online learning platform, the multi-tier STAR Certification Pathway (Levels 1-2 and Proficiency Levels I-II), the International 3S Symposium / Annual STAR Sensory Symposium, recurring STAR Virtual Summits, the Clinical Group Supervision Program, and supporting media products including the Making Sense Podcast, the Sensory Overload Documentary (Hulu), the Adult SENSE Video Series, and the Social Success (A SECRET) Video Series. Add-on group programs include Critical Core Group (acquired from Game to Grow in 2025), School Readiness, Rebounders, Roll Play Grow, Bike Riding Camp, Caterpillar's Kitchen, and Superhero In Training. The Research pillar operates a dedicated Research Center that has published 45 studies since 2020 and produced tools such as the Sensory Processing 3 Dimensions Scale (SP3D). Together, these products form a unified offering under STAR Center Foundation d.b.a. STAR Institute for Sensory Processing, a Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SPD University: STAR Institute's online learning platform offering subscription-based access to over 60-70 courses on sensory processing for professionals, parents, caregivers, and individuals.
• Critical Core
• Critical Core Parents - TTRPG at Home

Products and services

• STAR Institute Treatment Center Premier treatment center offering intensive "burst" occupational therapy (3-5 times per week) for children, adolescents, and adults with disordered sensory processing. Sub-services include Pediatric Occupational Therapy, Adult Occupational Therapy, Feeding Therapy, AAC Services, Handwriting, Mental Health Services, and Autism Specific Services, plus assessments and outcomes measurement. Clients book through a New Client Inquiry form.
• SPD University Online Learning Platform Online learning platform delivering over 60 self-paced courses on sensory processing topics including definitions, interventions, home/school/clinic strategies, STAR PROCESS treatment model, ADHD/Autism, assessments, SOS Approach to Feeding, and social-emotional regulation. Available via annual subscription with Parent, Professional (AOTA CEUs), and Organization tiers.
• STAR Certification Pathway Multi-level professional certification for clinicians including Level 1 School-Based Intensive, Level 1 Intensive Mentorship, STAR Proficiency Level I, STAR Proficiency Level II, and Level 2 Intensive Mentorship, culminating in STAR Certification Credentials. Designed for occupational therapists, OTAs, PTs, SLPs, psychologists, and educators seeking advanced sensory integration training.
• Clinical Group Supervision Program Online group supervision for occupational therapists bringing together like-minded professionals to share and discuss challenging client cases via Zoom. Expert clinicians trained in the STAR Frame of Reference help present cases and facilitate collaborative discussion across five weekly one-hour sessions.
• International 3S Symposium / Annual STAR Sensory Symposium Annual international symposium (Strategies, Science & Success) for parents and professionals on sensory processing topics. Offers AOTA and ASHA CEUs and includes ticketed registration plus pre-symposium workshops. Recent themes include Regulation: Foundation to Function (2018), Sense + SenseABILITY (2019), Praxis (2024), and Differently Wired Thriving (2026).
• STAR Virtual Summits Recurring virtual summits for clinicians, educators, advocates, and parents including Differently Wired Thriving (June 2026), Sensory Health and Autism (June 2024), Neurodiversity Affirming Practice, Supporting Caregivers and Families (Nov 2024), Sensory Health in Early Childhood, and Current SI/P Research (November 2025). Delivered as multi-day virtual events.
• Critical Core Group Tabletop role-playing game-based social skills program for tweens/teens ages 12-17 (developmental level grade 7 and up). Originally developed by Game to Grow and now hosted by STAR Institute following Game to Grow's 2025 wind-down. Deployed with over 7,000 practitioners and families globally; deliverable via telehealth over Zoom (90-minute sessions).
• Adult SENSE Video Series Five-video series for adults and teens with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) covering: (1) Do I Have SPD?, (2) The Body-Mind Connection, (3) Creating a Sensory Safe Space, (4) Stress Management in SPD, and (5) Finding a Career in Your Sensory World. Presented by Carrie Einck, MS, OTR/L and Sarah Norris, MS, OTR/L. One-time $30 purchase.
• Social Success Video Series (A SECRET)

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 2,000 families in the past 5 years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Game to GrowflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Game to Grow wound down operations in autumn 2025 and transferred stewardship of its flagship programs (hospital gaming program and Critical Core training) to STAR Institute. Executive Director Dr. Virginia Spielmann will safeguard and continue developing Critical Core, which had already reached 7,000+ practitioners and families globally.
• Building Bridges TherapyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2018Co-hosted the 2018 Pre-Symposium Parent Workshop in Atlanta alongside STAR Institute's 21st International 3S Symposium; provided local promotion and content.
• Swallow Hill MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2018Co-developed and co-delivered the Movement and Music Program with STAR Institute's occupational therapist Vincentia Ferrari, MOT, OTR/L; program runs at STAR's clinic for children ages 3-5 to develop regulation, coordination, and social engagement.
• T.A.C.T. (Teaching the Autism Community Trades)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2017Colorado nonprofit partnership to create F.U.S.E. (Fostering Unlimited Success and Empowerment) week-long day camps for adolescents with autism ages 12-15. STAR brings sensory and social skills expertise; T.A.C.T. brings trade and life-skill teaching. Funded by a $25,000 Developmental Pathways grant for three camps through 2018.
• FlagHouseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2015Partnered with STAR Center to launch a Calming Room for kids with Sensory Processing Disorder.
• UCSFminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2014UCSF researchers conducted a groundbreaking study on brain wiring differences in children with autism and SPD that was endorsed by the SPD Foundation/STAR Center.
• ICDL: The Home of DIR® & DIRFloortime®coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a Community Partner on STAR Institute's About Us page; co-sponsor of the 2024 STAR Sensory Symposium alongside Landscape Structures, Dreampad, Summit Sensory Gym, and Therapro.
• Landscape Structures, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner collaborating on inclusive playground design and co-sponsor of the 2024 STAR Sensory Symposium. John McConkey of Landscape Structures has spoken with STAR Institute on sensory-friendly playground architecture.
• Vox Media / Sensodyne (Vox Creative's Epic Stories team)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProduced the "Sensory Overload" documentary featuring STAR Institute's Executive Director Dr. Virginia Spielmann; directed by Kiana Moore; debuted on Hulu to raise awareness of neurodivergence.
• AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association)coreOthersSTAR Institute is an AOTA Approved Provider; AOTA CEUs are included with the SPD University Professional and Organization subscriptions and awarded for symposia, courses, and certifications.
• ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association)minorOthersProvides ASHA CEUs for STAR Institute workshops (e.g., the SOS Approach to Feeding workshop).

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sensory Integration Education (UK): UK-based provider of sensory integration training, certifications, and clinical resources for occupational therapists. Most direct international peer to STAR's SI certification pathway and mentorship business, serving the same clinician audience with comparable clinical frameworks.
• Therapro: US distributor and educator of sensory integration tools, therapy equipment, and professional resources for occupational therapists. Comparable as a hybrid product + education company supporting SI practitioners; co-sponsor of the 2024 STAR Sensory Symposium.
• OccupationalTherapy.com: Online continuing-education platform for occupational therapists offering CEU-accredited courses on sensory integration and related topics. Closely comparable to STAR's SPD University subscription product for OT professionals, including CEU packaging.
• Hopebridge: Multi-site US provider of pediatric therapy (ABA, OT, speech) for children with autism and developmental differences, including sensory integration services. Comparable clinical delivery model at greater scale across multiple states, but with a different revenue mix (ABA-heavy).
• Cortica: Multi-site provider of autism and neurodevelopmental therapy combining medical, behavioral, and sensory integration services. Comparable clinical operating model and target population (autism, SPD, ADHD), with a heavier medical/pharmacy mix than STAR.

Broad incumbents

• MedBridge: Large US online continuing-education and patient-engagement platform for healthcare professionals, including occupational therapy and rehabilitation tracks. Comparable as a subscription-based OT education platform, but broader (PT, SLP, nursing) and at materially greater scale.
• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA): National professional association for occupational therapists that accredits STAR's continuing-education programs and hosts its own annual conference. Comparable as a convener of the OT profession and gatekeeper of CEU credit, but as a member association rather than a content/clinic operator.
• Understood.org: Large nonprofit supporting parents of children with learning and attention differences, including sensory processing issues. Comparable as a parent-focused awareness and resource hub, but with a much broader scope (ADHD, dyslexia, etc.) and no clinical service line.

Emerging players

• The OT Toolbox: Online resource site for occupational therapists, educators, and parents covering sensory processing, fine motor, and handwriting topics. Comparable to STAR's parent/professional education content and free resource library, but primarily content-driven without a clinical or certification offering.
• Learning Without Tears: Provider of handwriting, keyboarding, and early literacy programs sold to schools, OTs, and parents. Comparable as a developer of pediatric therapy curriculum and training for OTs, with overlap in STAR's handwriting and school-readiness offerings, though focused on handwriting rather than sensory integration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TheSTARInst
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFVd3oVz4icMcZAZDwvHwBA
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheSTARInst
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-star-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/starinstitute

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about STAR Institute for Sensory Processing