Retrain the Therapist Brain: A Neurodiversity Affirming Approach to Pediatric Therapy

7.5

Progressive Pediatric Therapy

5589 Okeechobee Blvd. 2nd Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33417

7.5 Hours

Therapists

$275

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Course Description

The Neurodiversity Movement has brought a powerful new perspective to the field of therapy, reframing traditional approaches that often seek to "fix" differences in neurodiverse individuals. The most recent evidence-based practices are supporting the idea that all abilities should be embraced, celebrated, and harnessed to help individuals reach their full potential. This course is designed for pediatric speech, occupational, and physical therapists to “retrain the therapist brain” by using a strength-based approach to therapy and use neurodiversity affirming strategies to support neurodivergent learners. This one-day course is for any therapist from new graduates to seasoned clinicians who want to support and empower their neurodiverse clients through the understanding and consideration of neurodiverse characteristics when developing goals and treatment intervention. 

A woman wearing a shirt that says emory is playing with a baby

Program Objectives

  1. Introduction to Neurodiversity in healthcare, including the history and latest research on the Neurodiversity Movement, Neurodiversity Affirming care, and strengths based approach in the Neurodiverse population. 
  2. Understand how Neurodiversity impacts a child’s function, including assessing behaviors and skills through a neurodiversity affirming perspective.
  3. Strength based treatment approaches for speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists to focus on Neurodiversity Affirming, patient-centered, personalized intervention.
  4. Neurodiversity Affirming goal writing for each discipline that focuses on a child’s unique strengths.
  5. Review Case studies to provide participants with an opportunity to plan treatment interventions and home exercise programming through a neurodiverse lens.

Participants will be able to

  1. Understand and define neurodiversity, terms related to neurodiversity.
  2. Understand neurodiversity affirming care/strengths based approach.
  3. Apply neurodiversity affirming principles/strength based approach to treatment with your current caseload.
  4. Write goals that are meaningful and supportive to children and families from a neurodiverse perspective.

A man is teaching a group of students in a classroom.

Course Schedule

  1. History of Neurodiversity Movement.
  2. Review of Neurodiversity Key Terms, characteristics and behavioral traits that fall under Neurodiversity “umbrella”.
  3. Understanding how Neurodivergence impacts a child’s function including communication, motor skills, self-care, and social participation.
  4. Understanding the purpose of “behaviors” and viewing behaviors through a Neurodiversity Affirming lens.
  5. Introduction to a strengths-based approach to working with Neurodiverse children, including treatment strategies to address goals in Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy. 
  6. Goal Writing: How to write Neurodiversity Affirming and strengths-based goals.
  7. Wrap up discussion and Q&A with all presenters. 

Instructors

Mary Pengelley

Margie Avila, SLP

Gabriela Alvarez, OT

Jordan Culpepper, BCABA

Jennifer Penaranda, CCC-SLP

Regina DeCanto, CCC-SLP

Nichole Lackmann, CCC-SLP

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