Working with the experts

Course Description

Managing sensory processing challenges is crucial to the success of development. Sensory integration has become an area of focus for many different reasons, including environmental factors resulting in global sensorial challenges impacting language, motor, and social communication. Children with sensory processing disorder and traumatic experiences benefit from sensory treatment strategies impacting physical and neurological outcomes. By attending this course, you will take away practical concepts, effective treatment strategies, and everyday solutions for improved outcomes.

This relevant course emphasizes how creativity is the key to implementing practical solutions for children with sensory-related trauma challenges. The purpose of this course is to introduce key elements and concepts on how to best meet the needs tailored to children with sensory challenges despite traumatic childhood events. This course will provide tips, tools, and tidbits on applying creative strategies to achieve desired outcomes. We will discover and discuss effective strategies through direct interaction. In addition, we will explore the critical dos and don’ts of therapeutic activities for children experiencing sensory-related challenges. This course is designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists working with children with sensory-related challenges and childhood trauma experiences.

About Your Instructor

Paula L. Simpson, OTR/L, MHA, ASDCS has been a licensed occupational therapist for over 23 years working with the pediatric and geriatric population in various settings. These settings include early intervention, outpatient, skilled nursing, rehab, acute care, and LTAC environments. Paula is the founder of Bridges of Possibilities, a pediatric therapy clinic that specializes in occupational, physical, and speech therapy services for children with special abilities. She is also the founder of the My Kid Counts, INC, a not-for-profit organization that provides resources and training for families of children with special abilities throughout Northwest, Indiana. Paula is also the founder of camp HYPE-Helping Young People Excel summer camp focused on building skills for children with special abilities. Paula is the author of the book entitled, Sensory Integration, “Now That Makes Sense!” featured in the Autism Digest and Atlanta Georgia’s Trendsetter Magazine. Paula is a columnist for the Autism Digest. She has a combined holistic and nurturing approach to help children/adults maximize their functional independence and achieve developmental outcomes. She enjoys volunteering in community outreach activities, performing professional training, and speaking engagements.

Paula obtained a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Chicago State University. She was also awarded a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Phoenix. Paula is a certified autism disorder clinical specialist (ASDCS). Paula is a Certified Advanced Brain Technology provider from “The Listening Program.” Paula is also a DIR-Floor-time Provider and a certified CPR instructor. Paula is the owner of We Rock The Spectrum-Merrillville, coming soon.

Course Description

This course will help professionals monitor and compare typical development of children they work with in multiple therapy settings. Participants will take away versatile sensory integration strategies that address a large range of sensory needs and overcome proprioceptive, feeding, and auditory sensitivities and deficits.

About Your Instructor

Nisha S. Sanghvi, OTR/L is a licensed and certified occupational therapist with more than 20 years of experience in pediatrics. Ms. Sanghvi graduated from Quinnipiac University in CT with a degree in occupational therapy. She has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, school and home/community-based settings and provides trainings across the country. Ms. Sanghvi strongly believes in supporting children and empowering their families. She strives to help families understand and make adaptations to help their child to be successful at home, school and the community. Ms. Sanghvi currently has her own practice, Integrated Pediatrics, providing direct services, collaborating with teams and providing consultation services to promote the success of the children with different needs. Ms. Sanghvi currently serves on the governor appointed Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention, member of national and state level Occupational Therapy Associations, serving on the Illinois Early Intervention Special Interest Committee and member of the Zero to Three. Ms. Sanghvi strives to help give children and families the self-confidence and skills they need to succeed in everyday activities.

Course Description

In today's practice more and more clients are being referred for visual, motor, sensory processing, and coordination deficits related to poor self-regulation, motor, visual processing, apraxia/discoordination, and fine motor abilities. Many of these underlying deficits go undetected and thus children are slow to progress and master visual & motor goals.

This course will teach you how to recognize and help clients overcome these weaknesses, which can be difficult to address due to the complexity of the underlying limits. This workshop will improve your confidence and abilities in observation, analysis, treatment planning, and interventions to improve visual motor outcomes. Upon completion, you will understand the hidden but essential link between treatment of underlying deficits and improving visual and motor outcomes.

Highlights

• Innovative techniques to improve your clients’ functional visual motor integration and outcomes.
• Sensory integration feedback process and how it impacts motor output and coordination.

Jacqueline Schafer-Clay, OTD, OTR/L, C-SIPT is the founding Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor at Presbyterian College's OTD program. She teaches OT foundations and pediatric occupational therapy. She graduated with a master's from Duquesne University and completed her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree from Eastern Kentucky University. Dr. Schafer-Clay's clinical experience includes over 18 years in pediatrics, and she holds advanced certifications in Sensory Integration and Praxis Testing, Therapeutic Listening, Hippo-Therapy, and Therapeutic Yoga.

Course Description

Having a solid foundation in identifying unintegrated reflexes in the patient population is the key to effectively treating conditions in which unintegrated reflexes are a factor. In Reflex Integration Evaluation and Treatment, participants will benefit from in-person, hands-on practice with testing the various reflexes that can remain active in the general population. Armed with these skills in the therapeutic toolbox, attendees will be prepared to apply these evaluation techniques to aid in treatment in clinical practice.

Reflex Integration Evaluation and Treatment focuses on identifying typical and atypical responses and how these can influence other areas of function. Attendees will leave this course able to identify unintegrated reflexes, implement treatment techniques learned in the hands-on lab, and understand what factors contribute to interruption in this natural progression. Various treatments will be discussed and practiced ensuring participants are prepared to progress patients through their plan of care right away.

Highlights

• Hands-on lab for testing developmental reflexes and practicing treatment techniques for effective carry over in patient care.
• Effective, evidence-based interventions for improved functional outcomes and achieving patient goals related to unintegrated reflexes.
• Practical evaluation strategies of functional deficits associated with retained reflexes you can use right away.

Stephanie Johnson, PT, CKTP, CEO is a 1998 graduate of the University of South Alabama with a bachelor's in physical therapy. She became the owner of Compass Physical Therapy, Inc. in March 2013 after serving as the Chief Financial Officer since 2005. Stephanie has been a continuing education instructor and public speaker in the pediatric field with engagements including classroom instruction at the college level, keynote speaking at national conferences as well as local parent informational meetings since 2010. She is the published author of The Truth About Tummy Time: A Parent's Guide to SIDS, The Back to Sleep Program, Car Seats and More 2011, and The Truth About Tummy Time Updated Edition: A Parent's Guide to SIDS, Safe Sleeping Practices, Promoting Development and More 2021.