Retrain the Therapist Brain: A Neurodiversity Affirming Approach to Pediatric Therapy
No. Of Credits: 7.5
Progressive Pediatric Therapy
5589 Okeechobee Blvd. 2nd Floor West Palm Beach, FL 33417
Course Duration: 7.5 Hours
Price: $275
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.
Program Objectives
- 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.
- Understand how Neurodiversity impacts a child’s function, including assessing behaviors and skills through a neurodiversity affirming perspective.
- Strength based treatment approaches for speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists to focus on Neurodiversity Affirming, patient-centered, personalized intervention.
- Neurodiversity Affirming goal writing for each discipline that focuses on a child’s unique strengths.
- 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
- Understand and define neurodiversity, terms related to neurodiversity.
- Understand neurodiversity affirming care/strengths based approach.
- Apply neurodiversity affirming principles/strength based approach to treatment with your current caseload.
- Write goals that are meaningful and supportive to children and families from a neurodiverse perspective.
Course Schedule
- History of Neurodiversity Movement.
- Review of Neurodiversity Key Terms, characteristics and behavioral traits that fall under Neurodiversity “umbrella”.
- Understanding how Neurodivergence impacts a child’s function including communication, motor skills, self-care, and social participation.
- Understanding the purpose of “behaviors” and viewing behaviors through a Neurodiversity Affirming lens.
- Introduction to a strengths-based approach to working with Neurodiverse children, including treatment strategies to address goals in Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapy.
- Goal Writing: How to write Neurodiversity Affirming and strengths-based goals.
- Wrap up discussion and Q&A with all presenters.
Instructors
Mary Pengelley
Mary Pengelley has been a pediatric physical therapist since 1983. She has worked with children of all ages including young adults who have grown up with a variety of developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, autism spectrum disorder, genetic disorders, muscular dystrophies, spinal muscular atrophy, brachial plexus injury, and torticollis. Mary is the Rehab Director at Progressive Pediatric Therapy in West Palm Beach FL, is certified as an Assistive Technology Practitioner, teaches pediatric classes for DPT students, and also teaches continuing education webinars and live classes for licensed therapists.
Margie Avila, SLP
Margie Avila has been a pediatric speech language pathologist for 19 years. She has worked in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, and outpatient clinics during her career. She is the Rehab Director of Progressive Pediatric Therapy’s Lake Worth Clinic and specializes in working with Autistic children and young adults. Her previous clinical experiences include leading Autism programs in Palm Beach County Schools, mentoring at the intensive feeding program at Marcus Institute in Atlanta, and interning at Indian Ridge Center, a school for Severe Behavioral Disordered children in Palm Beach County. She has contributed to publications and courses on the topics of behaviors in pediatrics and feeding, with her undergraduate focus on behavioral modification in children.
Gabriela Alvarez, OT
Gabriela Alvarez has been a pediatric occupational therapist for 6 years post graduating from the University of Florida. She is currently the Occupational Therapy Clinical Manager at Progressive Pediatric Therapy's Boca Raton clinic. Through her years at Progressive she has worked in a variety of settings including in clinics, schools, Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) centers, and homes. Gabriela has worked with children of all ages, ranging from 6 months to 21 years, and with a variety of diagnosis and limitations including developmental disabilities, sensory processing disorder, genetic disorders, and autism. She has served as clinical supervisor to numerous students over the past few years. Gabriela has furthered her education and knowledge through courses and certifications including Astronaut Training and AEIOU systematic approach to feeding.
Jordan Culpepper, BCABA
Jennifer Penaranda, CCC-SLP
Regina DeCanto, CCC-SLP
