Working with the experts

 Topic Description: 

How strong is the sensory-motor connection to the academic success of children? Why do they fall out of chairs, hold their pencils tightly, chew their shirts, and squirm constantly? What can I do to make a difference? The Ready Bodies, Learning Minds program emphasizes how motor and sensory development provide the central nervous system with the ability to perform the many tasks necessary for independ-ence, behavioral control, and academic achievement. If the reflexive-vestibular-proprioceptive-tactile system is not functioning optimally, the student has a limit base of body knowledge and skills on which to build. Limited attention span, poor posture, difficulty sustaining equilibrium, poor coordination of sequen-tial movements, restlessness, problems with spatial relationships and slow academic progress are com-mon signs of an immature neurological system. A simple diagram is used to explain the correlation of the different systems to "learning" and "performance". Videos of motor lab examples and classroom strate-gies are included, as are suggestions for easily-made equipment, and programming ideas to begin a Ready Bodies Lab for an individual classroom or an entire campus. The results of a research study in-volving approximately 200 students and the Ready Bodies Lab (completed during the 02-03 school year) will also be discussed. This program was created to support the developmental, motor, sensory, and aca-demic growth of all students, including the at-risk and labeled population.

 Topic Description: 

How strong is the sensory-motor connection to the academic success of children? Why do they fall out of chairs, hold their pencils tightly, chew their shirts, and squirm constantly? What can I do to make a difference? The Ready Bodies, Learning Minds program emphasizes how motor and sensory development provide the central nervous system with the ability to perform the many tasks necessary for independ-ence, behavioral control, and academic achievement. If the reflexive-vestibular-proprioceptive-tactile system is not functioning optimally, the student has a limit base of body knowledge and skills on which to build. Limited attention span, poor posture, difficulty sustaining equilibrium, poor coordination of sequen-tial movements, restlessness, problems with spatial relationships and slow academic progress are com-mon signs of an immature neurological system. A simple diagram is used to explain the correlation of the different systems to "learning" and "performance". Videos of motor lab examples and classroom strate-gies are included, as are suggestions for easily-made equipment, and programming ideas to begin a Ready Bodies Lab for an individual classroom or an entire campus. The results of a research study in-volving approximately 200 students and the Ready Bodies Lab (completed during the 02-03 school year) will also be discussed. This program was created to support the developmental, motor, sensory, and aca-demic growth of all students, including the at-risk and labeled population.

Topic Description: Day 1: Mary Walsh, Program Specialist from the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, FDOE will provide an update on current topics of interest relevant to related services. Attendees will also have opportunities to conduct 10&10 sessions with one another to share resources and obtain ideas with one another.

Day 2:  Dr. Barb Ehren will provide information about the basics of collaboration (terminology and shared definitions from a treatment perspective) and innovation collaboration maps (what they are, how they are used).  Participants will work together in small groups comprised of individuals representing each discipline (OT, PT, SLP) to develop an innovation configuration map related to what collaboration or cotreatment between OT/PT/SLPs can look like. Participants will share their maps and discuss implications for implementation and intervention.  Ideas for collaborating with teachers and other professionals to provide effective comprehensive services will also be shared and discussed.  In addition three district teams will share via a panel, the work to implement feeding and swallowing best practices. Last but not least, Consultancy Protocols will be provided by your colleagues to discuss and brainstorm solutions to problems in practice. 

Hotel reservations (for eligible District Coordinators or designee) should be made at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020LeadersEvent