Full Course Description

2-Day Intensive Certificate Training in Neuroscience and Self-Regulation Techniques for Kids with Autism, ADHD & Sensory Disorders

Program Information

Outline

The Neuroscience Behind Self-Regulation

A look at sensory-motor pathways
Brain dissection video: The emotional brain and its connection to executive functioning
Neurological dysfunction: Hyper-activity, hypo-activity, aggressiveness, self-stimulatory, and inattentiveness

Neuro and Sensory Integration: Linking to Behaviors

Breaking down self-regulation: Sensory, cognition and emotions
Self-regulation effects on behavior: Flapping, inflexibility, rigidity, lack of inhibition, poor social skills, risk taking
The power of the autonomic nervous system and its connection to behavior (ie. stress, fear and primitive reflexes)
The power of primitive reflexes and how they impede on function
Tools and strategies for assessing primitive reflexes

Video Case Study Analyzation: Aligning Symptoms and Characteristics with Appropriate Interventions

ADHD: Diagnosis and current treatment strategies
Autism: Diagnosis and DSM-5® updates
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD):
- Sensory modulation disorder
- Sensory-based motor disorder
- Sensory discrimination disorder

Self-Regulation Techniques and the Vagus Nerve Connection

Communication strategies that provide control: Symbolic and non-verbal
Self-management and behavioral strategies: Behavioral contracts, checklist for tracking behaviors, video modeling
Addressing picky eating and poor sleep habits: Desensitizing and non-threatening activities
Music as a technique to initiate sensorial stimuli, calming and attentiveness
New interventions for vestibular, proprioceptive, auditory, smell and vision work

Apply Neuroscience to Interventions: Hands-on Activities

Neurological connection of current programs such as Brain Gym®, sensory diets, and MeMoves™, just to name a few!
Integrate a mindfulness program for self-regulation
Address primitive reflexes and improve social participation and age appropriate behaviors
Tool to assess child’s arousal levels to be used for daily schedules and to organize daily interventions

Treatment Planning: Video Case Examples of Children Displaying Challenging Social, Eating and Sleep Behaviors

Perform a virtual evaluation
Develop a treatment plan
Goal development
Re-assessment: When is it needed and when to discharge

Psychoeducation for Clients and Parents

Evidence-based intervention and techniques to address challenges with self-regulation
Address psychosocial concerns and experiences of caregivers of children with self-regulation challenges
Communicate methods to address reciprocal regulation between the child and caregiver to address the influences and interaction each have

Target Audience

Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologists, Counselors, Social Workers, Educators, Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

Objectives

Debate the neuroscientific research related to self-regulation and sensory processing in kids diagnosed with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and ADHD.
Differentiate between the characteristics of sensory processing disorder, ADHD and autism and articulate how the neurological processes of each disorder coincide with one another.
Apply neurological approaches that tap into the central, autonomic, and enteric nervous systems to improve clinical intervention techniques.
Determine the role of primitive reflexes and how they support or impede client functioning.
Evaluate the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and behavior in clients.
Determine the neurological responses aligned with intervention techniques to further enhance treatment planning.
Develop appropriate clinical interventions for challenging behaviors in clients, such as hyper-activity, hypoactivity, aggressiveness, self-stimulation and inattentiveness.
Implement music as a technique to initiate sensorial stimuli, calming and attentiveness in clients.
Integrate a comprehensive mindfulness program to improve self-regulation in clients.
Utilize role play activities to assess levels of arousal among clients.
Develop a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses a variety of clinical concerns, including social skills deficits, picky eating and sleeping issues.
Implement strategies to address reciprocal regulation between the child and caregiver in order to improve clinical outcomes.

Copyright : 04/26/2018

BONUS - Sensory-Based In-Session: Strategies, Techniques & Equipment for Children with ASD, SPD, & ADHD

Join sensory and self-regulation expert, Varleisha Gibbs, OTD, OTR/L, and discover various sensory strategies, techniques, and equipment to use when working with children with ASD, SPD, and ADHD. The underlying neurological components will be reviewed to connect neuroanatomy to practice. Through live demonstrations at a sensory clinic, you will learn what types of equipment you should purchase for your clinic as well as their appropriate use, when to use them, and for how long. Video examples of children in a sensory clinic will be used to demonstrate correct versus incorrect methods including how to maneuver the equipment for the sought response as well as what happens when equipment is used incorrectly.

A unique emphasis will be given to the neurological background, in relation to specific treatment techniques. Evidence-based practice will be an integral part of reviewing theories and current treatment techniques. Treatment techniques to be analyzed include: sound-based, movement, and vision-based therapies.

Program Information

Target Audience

Counselors, Teachers/Educators, Marriage & Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants, Physical Therapists/Physical Therapist Assistants, Psychologists, Social Workers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and other Mental Health Professionals

Objectives

Inspect the knowledge related to the neuroscience behind self-regulation
Calculate cause and effect of intervention techniques as they relate to neurological components
Determine the specific equipment and techniques to use for what type of child
Analyze how long and how often to use sound-based, movement, and vision-based therapy techniques
Apply appropriate strategies that work for treating children with ASD, SPD and ADHD

Outline

Introduction

The Neurological connection: background information on the Central Nervous System and Autonomic Nervous System and self-regulation

Research

Theories and principles for treatment interventions: To include Polyvagal and Sensory Integration theories

Current Treatment and Intervention

Traditional Strategies: When and how to use swings, climbing, and crashing activities
Sound-based Therapies: Identify what music to use, when to use it, and for whom
Movement Therapies: Appropriate use of yoga, Pilates, dance and drum therapy
Vision Therapies: Use eye yoga and tracking games

Application of Strategies that work

Awakening the Vagus Nerve: The use of breathe, Valsava, and massage