Sensory Certificate Series

1 in 68 children have been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) according to estimates from the CDC's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network. ASD is reported to occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups and is 4.5 times more common among boys than girls. With the growing numbers of children being diagnosed on a daily basis with autism, the concern of how we therapeutically treat effectively is alarming. When a family hears the words, "Your child has autism" the journey has only just begun. While the disorder can be overwhelming for parents, therapists, teachers and school districts, there are research-based strategies and approaches that can be put in place to help each child reach their maximum potential.

This one-day, dynamic course will take you on the autism journey helping you to understand the importance of patternsof development and early intervention for this growing population. Participants will be provided with practical techniques and strategies to use in the home, natural setting, therapy setting, or school. This is an interactive course built on evidence-based interventions as well as the survivalstrategies of a speech pathologist and mother of a child on the autism spectrum. Participants will leave this workshop equipped with practical effective strategies you can implement tomorrow as well as a greater appreciation of the child with autism.

• 50 Hands-on therapy tools and strategies that help children with autism spectrum disorders through sensory integration, communication and language, behavior,social skills, and education
• Receive ready-to-use handouts, checklists and inexpensive therapy strategies to make your work easier and more efficient from a certified SLP and mother of a child on the spectrum
• Case studies and videos to support families and children in daily living solutions that will help in the school, home and community
• Sensory integration problem solving and treatment solutions available to children with autism spectrum disorders as presented in young children
• Understand early patterns of development in infantsand toddlers who have or are at risk for developing autism spectrum disorders

The American Academy of Pediatrics (2020) estimates 25-50% of all children and 40% of adolescents are affected by sleep problems. Since so many children suffer from sleep issues, it is essential for all healthcare providers to recognizethat sleep problems in children: can mimic symptoms of ADHD; cause depression and anxiety; may be linked to depressed immune responses; and in recent studies show a link to increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity (Sleep Foundation, 2021). Adolescents who get an inadequate amount of sleep struggle more academically and have a higher incidence of mental health problems (Colrain &Baker, 2011). Daytime and evening activities also improve orinterfere with sleep quality. Using active learning strategies, participants will be able to provide caregiver education andwill learn evidence-based sleep routine and hygiene recommendations and strategies to support improved sleep-in pediatric clients. Promoting improved sleep-in pediatric clients improves family relationships and children's success engaging in other important daily occupations.

• Evidence-based strategies to support improved sleep
• Implementing balanced screen/activity time, routines, and better sleep hygiene that promotes immediate change in sleeping patterns
• Addressing the negative impacts of inadequate sleep inthe pediatric population through the latest evidence, treatment strategies, and case studies

Just about everyone has treated a problem feeder/picky eater or has been asked to help "fix" a picky eater during their career. During the past decade children have become more sensitive in general. There has been an increased incidence of allergies, sensory sensitivities, and spectrum disorders. Along with these sensitivities, food preferences and aversions have skyrocketed. Because eating is one of the basic human needs, if a person is not eating well it plays alarge role in all other areas of development.

This course will provide information on the role food plays in the hierarchy of needs, signs and symptoms of picky eating/problem feeding, effective treatment methods, and caregiver education. Feeding is more than just hand to mouth. This course will show therapists how to support feeding through adequate seating, posture, motor control, core strength, and breath control.

The content of this program is germane to children, students and clients ages 0- 18.

• Review the latest evidence, trends, and why there has been a surge in picky eating during the past 5 years
• Equip yourself with skills to assess and interpret common problems encountered during feeding
• Improve your treatment, intervention, caregiver education, and differential diagnosis of a range of feeding barriers

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual Disabilities (ID) present with problem behaviors at high rates. Problem behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, pica, disruption, and elopement result in a diminished quality- of-life for the individual and family. Recent evidence indicates yoga and mindfulness is an effective intervention in improving behaviors and gaining engagement with this unique population.

In this course, participants will examine the benefits ofusing yoga and mindfulness as a modality for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, sensory processingdisorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders and how to properly integrate it into any setting. Participants will gaintechniques to improve strength, self-awareness, focus, and regulation while promoting well-being. Participants will be able to utilize yoga as a therapeutic tool for intervention when they return to their clinic, school, or practice setting.

• Effective yoga and mindfulness strategies for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, sensory processing disorders and other neurodevelopmental disorders
• Yoga, breath, and mindfulness techniques that individuals will enjoy and that will improve strength, reduce anxiety, improve focus, and body awareness

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, emotional and behavioral disorders affect 10 - 15% of children globally and most follow a developmental course that starts early in life. Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a complex disorder of the brain that affects developing children and adults. At least 1 in 20 people in the general population may be affected by SPD. It is imperative that therapists, teachers, clinicians, parents, and administrators understand behavior and sensory differences and have the tools necessary to be proactive and make a difference in the positive growth of children.

This fast-paced, practical, and evidence-based seminar will help you gain a full understanding of sensory differences and how they relate to challenging behaviors. The use of interactive labs and video case studies will give participants on opportunity to apply and practice concepts discussed and prepare you to use the strategies immediately and effectively. You will leave with a framework to guide your problem solving and decision making and with intervention strategies for day- to-day success. This workshop will help you put the "PIECES" together to discourage negative behaviors and to foster growth and skill development in all children.

DISCLOSURE: This presentation will focus exclusively on the PIECES problem solving model other similar or related assessments, products and services.

• Understand the body's seven sensory systems and their impact on the behavior of children
• Establish a definitive definition of behavior and utilize evidence-based approaches for behavioral intervention
• Participate in interactive labs designed to refine observational skills and to define problem behaviors
• Evidence-based practical methods, treatment techniques, and ideas to manage real life circumstances
• Ready-to-use problem solving model to manage behavior and determine successful strategies to make your work easierand more efficient

Many of our children are growing up in very busy environments where they are constantly on the go. Learning environments and expectations are changing, and play and leisure activities are looking different. It is important that weprovide our children with a strong foundation so that they are able to develop skills to succeed throughout life. It is also imperative to fully understand the impact of the demands we are putting on children, where the challenge begins and how to appropriately support children with strategies and copingmechanisms. It is our job as therapists and educators to help support families and teams in this dynamic evolution to set up our children for success and teach them how to adapt and cope to different situations.

This interactive one-day course will look at typical development and areas to monitor. It will provide a wide variety of strategies and resources to support the child andhis/her families. We will identify what play looks like and how we can change the activity a child may be interested in to provide some challenges and enable more learning. We will look at the different sensory systems and strategies to support overall regulation so that children can improve focus and concentration, engagement and intentional communication in a variety of settings. Participants will be involved indiscussing how small adaptations can be made in classrooms, community settings and in the home environment to help empower the child and families. Participants will also be involved in discussing guidelines, the role of technologyand interactive media and how to choose appropriate types of media for our children. After attending this course,participants will learn how to prioritize the needs of the children, providing support at the foundation and building upon successes so you will be able to promote learning and growth.

• Confidently develop clinical reasoning skills to identify redflags in child development including physiological, sensory, motor and environmental areas of need for the child
• Gain effective strategies to build a solid foundation of support for learning and growth that will improve function
• Learn the different sensory systems and identify strategies to improve sensory regulation throughout the child's day in a variety of environments that impact development
• Discuss how to integrate technology and interactive media in a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way for children
• Comprehensive resources: Articles, handouts, visualsupports, digital media sources, and activities to use immediately in treatment sessions, home programs, and classrooms

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 helpclients overcome these weaknesses, which can be difficult toaddress due to the complexity of the underlying limits. Thisworkshop will improve your confidence and abilities in observation, analysis, treatment planning, and interventionsto 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.

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