Full Course Description

Module 1: The Brain-Body Connection, Part 1

Watch Varleisha Gibbs, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, renowned self-regulation expert and author for this intensive certificate training and learn clinically proven neurological approaches to addressing self-regulation in children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, and ADHD. Knowing the underlying brain connections will help you better select and develop appropriate interventions for challenging behaviors, such as hyper-activity, hypo-activity, aggressiveness, self-stimulatory and inattentiveness.

You will walk away with neurologically tailored sensory strategies, cutting-edge treatment techniques, and sensory equipment strategies, including, mindfulness, social skill programs, music and movement, and respiratory-based techniques.

You will learn the underlying neurological components to connect the brain to clinical practice through:

Brain dissection video wet labs, neuroanatomy, pathways, and function
Autonomic nervous system and its connection to stress, fear, and primitive reflexes
Video examples of children in a sensory clinic demonstrating positive outcomes when equipment is used appropriately

You will also learn how to analyze and apply treatment techniques, such as:

Activating the vagus nerve and the nervous system for regulation
Addressing primitive reflexes and improve social skills and age appropriate behaviors
Incorporating a mindfulness program for self-regulation
Applying your knowledge through the use of video case studies to examine the evaluation process, treatment planning, goal development, and re-assessment of children displaying challenging social, eating, and sleeping behaviors

Whether you are an expert on the brain or new to this science, Dr. Gibbs makes it easy to understand and easy to implement. You will leave ignited by revelations exposed in Dr. Gibbs’ presentation!

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

Module 2: The Brain-Body Connection, Part 2

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze 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

Module 3: Evidence-Based Clinical Interventions, Part 1

You will learn the underlying neurological components to connect the brain to clinical practice through:

Brain dissection video wet labs, neuroanatomy, pathways, and function
Autonomic nervous system and its connection to stress, fear, and primitive reflexes
Video examples of children in a sensory clinic demonstrating positive outcomes when equipment is used appropriately

You will also learn how to analyze and apply treatment techniques, such as:

Activating the vagus nerve and the nervous system for regulation
Addressing primitive reflexes and improve social skills and age appropriate behaviors
Incorporating a mindfulness program for self-regulation
Applying your knowledge through the use of video case studies to examine the evaluation process, treatment planning, goal development, and re-assessment of children displaying challenging social, eating, and sleeping behaviors

Whether you are an expert on the brain or new to this science, Dr. Gibbs makes it easy to understand and easy to implement. You will leave ignited by revelations exposed in Dr. Gibbs’ presentation!

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze 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

Module 4: Evidence-Based Clinical Interventions, Part 2

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze 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

Self-Regulation and Mindfulness

Varleisha Gibbs, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, has created a unique, evidence-based resource for helping children who have trouble self-regulating, staying focused, managing their senses and controlling their emotions.

Based on the latest research in neuroscience, Self-Regulation & Mindfulness provides highly practical, kid-friendly lessons to teach therapists, parents, educators, and children about their brain and body, so they can build the needed skills to self-regulate.

Hands-on activities
Step-by-step exercises
Coloring pages and worksheets

Clear, concise, and fun activities to address your children's arousal, attention, and social participation:

Touch and Heavy Work
Hydration and Oral Motor Activities
Metronome, Timing, and Sequencing Exercises
Right and Left Brain Integration Methods
Patterns and Repetition Recognition
Vision and Sound Skills
Movement Coordination
Inhibition Techniques