STARS - Student Therapy and Resource Services

Autism: De-Escalate Meltdowns and Diffuse Explosive Behaviors in Children and Adolescents - Live Webinar
2025-02-10 07:00 - 15:00 (America/Phoenix)
Do you work with children and adolescents with autism who exhibit explosive behaviors that interfere with their ability to effectively and efficiently navigate their environment? They appear willful, obnoxious, over reactive, and unfeeling. They lose control of their ability to cope or regulate their behavior, which can send them spiraling into a gut wrenching meltdown.
Join autism expert Joe’l Farrar, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, BCBA, for this live webcast and learn proven strategies and techniques to help children and adolescents with autism de-escalate before a full blown meltdown ensues, develop self-control and self-management skills to prevent future meltdowns and learn appropriate/replacement behaviors. Dozens of strategies will be taught through dynamic video case examples and demonstrations. “Teach them in the way they learn” will be a mantra throughout the program.
Walk away with these interventions and more:

Breathe card and emotions chart to develop self-control and self-management skills
Surprise cards, change of schedule cues, and transition markers to alleviate anxiety
Video modeling and role playing to improve social/emotional communication
First person stories and visual cues to promote positive behavior
Visual cues, music, and software designed to increase attention and focus
Social stories, social scripts, and emotions charts to develop self-regulation
SOCCSS, keychain rules, and t-charts to target challenging behaviors

Motor Supports For Handwriting Development - Live Webinar
2025-02-07 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Phoenix)
Underlying motor issues that impact fine motor development are needed for the acquisition of efficient and effective handwriting skills will be examined in this course. Treatment strategies will be provided for therapist use, whether in direct therapy sessions or in consultation with parents and teachers.
Presented By

Kristen Tompkins
OTR/L

With over 25 years of experience as a school-based occupational therapist in Las Vegas, NV, Kristen has developed a high skill level to navigate this unique and often challenging practice setting. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in 1996 from Loma Linda University and worked as a traveling therapist in adult settings for the first 2 ½ years of her career. Ultimately, she settled on school-based practice in Nevada. Throughout her career, she has regularly provided in-service training on various topics that impact therapy outcomes in the school setting. Based on her extensive experience with handwriting development issues, she is the author of the Construct>>Draw>>Write program, and she has also created HOUSE/mouse Adapted Writing Paper with a supporting flashcard activity to aid students in developing letter sizing and placement skills.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify the underlying core control issues that can impact handwriting development.

After this course, participants will be able to recognize the difference between efficient vs. inefficient pencil grasp patterns.

After this course, participants will be able to list 3 exercises that support motor requirements for handwriting success that could be done at home or in the classroom setting.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-20 Minutes
Core Control and Impact on Fine Motor Development

20-35 Minutes
Pencil Grasp and Control

35-55 Minutes
Strategies/Adapted Equipment for Handwriting Support

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Differential Diagnosis of Headaches Post Concussion - Webinar
2025-02-05 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Concussion is a common injury that is often poorly identified and poorly managed. It can occur with a variety of mechanisms and affects all ages. These injuries can recover on their own but often (10-30%) of individuals will have persistent symptoms. There are a variety of symptoms that can be present after a concussive injury and often headache is one of the most common. Research has shown that individualized treatment results in the best outcomes secondary to the multiple systems that are impacted after these injuries.1 A challenge to concussion management is that none of the symptoms that are often reported are unique to the injury itself. It is essential that clinicians who work with client’s post-concussion have a clear understanding of the variety of possible contributing factors to the symptom presentation so that they can create a targeted plan of intervention. This individualized plan and understanding will ensure optimal patient outcomes.
This course will highlight the variety of physiological impairments and systems that can contribute to headache presentation. We will review differential diagnosis as well as targeted interventions to achieve optimal outcomes and patient recovery. The course will present a variety of strategies as well as case studies to help support differential diagnosis strategy. There will also be objective measures including questionnaires, assessments of the cervical spine,vestibular/oculomotor systems, and evaluation of the autonomic nervous system. Participants will be able to take these strategies and a targeted approach and be able to apply them the next day in the clinic.
Highlights

Quickly improve your clients’ outcomes and recovery by analyzing the potential causes of headache after a concussive event.
Objective measures including questionnaires, assessments of the cervical spine, vestibular/oculomotor systems, and evaluation of the autonomic nervous system.
Differential diagnosis as well as targeted interventions to achieve optimal functional outcomes and patient recovery.

Optimizing Core Retraining, Part 2 - Live Webinar
2025-02-04 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix)
Rehab providers talk about “the core” frequently, especially for their patients with spine and lower extremity dysfunction. However, there is a wide range of practice patterns and little consensus regarding optimally training the core. This two-part course overviews current evidence and evidence-supported practices to optimize core retraining.

This is part 2 of a two-part course. This course includes manual therapy to reset neuromotor patterns, motor control retraining, diastasis rectus, and case studies.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to analyze the diastasis rectus abdominus.

After this course, participants will be able to apply at least three options for the use of manual therapy to provide a neuromotor reset to the core to support occupations.

After this course, participants will be able to evaluate at least three examples of motor control retraining for patients, including optimal methods to progress motor control for various patient types and activities.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Background, review of learning outcomes

5-35 Minutes
Manual therapy to reset neuromotor patterns

35-75 Minutes
Motor control retraining

75-100 Minutes
Diastasis rectus

100-115 Minutes
Case studies

115-120 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Practical Tools for Addressing Executive Functioning in Children - Webinar
2025-01-30 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Phoenix)
Executive function skills are cognitive processes that coordinate our abilities to learn, perform tasks, and handle everyday responsibilities. Children aren’t born with executive functioning skills, but they can develop them. Providing practice and opportunities to build executive functioning skills at home and school is an important part of development. Allied health and other professionals can influence these skills for students using evidence-based interventions and strategies. This course will summarize the most up-to-date evidence related to executive functioning interventions. Attendees will learn how to choose and implement effective interventions to help children with executive functioning skills.Resources and tools that can be used immediately for interventions with your clients will be provided. Each participant will be challenged to identify a client with whom they can implement at least one strategy or intervention and develop an action plan.
The content of this program is germane to children, students and clients ages 5- 18.
Highlights

Effective, evidence-based strategies for improving executive functioning skills for school-aged children
Resources and tools for planning and implementation of interventions that address executive functioning skills

Mental Health Issues in the Classroom: Practical Strategies for Helping Children and Adolescents Succeed - Live Webinar
2025-01-30 06:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Join child/adolescent behavioral expert, R. Nicolle Carr, Ph.D., and learn how to best manage the students at your school diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), mood disorders, anxiety, and depression. You will walk away with concrete, yet practical, strategies to successfully intervene with their serious behavioral issues, such as:

Anger and outbursts
Cutting and self-injury
Defiance
Impulsivity
Sensory Issues
Meltdowns and tantrums
Obsessive compulsive
Truancy
Rigidity
Electronic addiction

Through case studies, video clips and dynamic class discussion you will learn:

30-second teacher strategies to manage challenging and disruptive behaviors
New ways to reduce the costs of out-of-district placements
How to engage students in class, increase productivity, and reduce truancy
Behavioral assessments and strategies for the IEP team
Side-effects of common psychotropic medications
How skill deficits from mental health conditions create behavioral difficulties
Characteristics of at-risk students’ mental health problems
Strategies to gain collaboration with clinicians

Leave the day with the “magic dust” you have been looking for to expedite rapid and effective changes in these children and adolescents!

Pressure Ulcers: Therapist Strategies for Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention - Webinar
2025-01-29 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix)
“Pressure injuries of the skin and soft tissues affect an estimated 1 to 3 million people in the United States each year. The incidence differs based on the clinical setting.” (Mondragon N, Zito PM) Pressure ulcers are a preventable event in a lot of cases, and we as therapists play an integral part in prevention for our patients. If we take proper steps, document accordingly and educate our coworkers and staff we can make a big impact as therapists on prevention.
This course will increase the clinician’s knowledge base in prevention and recognition of pressure ulcers as well as guide their plan of care. Subsequently, apt recognition will lead to strategies to target the prevention, offloading pressure with appropriate devices. This will improve both wound outcomes and the quality of life for the patient as it directs treatment to reduce pressure, promotes therapist and patient awareness in self-care, and assists therapists in development of appropriate long-term plans for patient pressure ulcer prevention and wound treatment.
Highlights

Improve your understanding of pressure ulcer development, assessment, prevention, and pathophysiology
Best practices and guidelines for treatments of pressure ulcers

Upper Extremity Nerve Mobilization & Flossing - Webinar
2025-01-27 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Physical and occupational therapists regularly evaluate and treat patients with upper extremity neuromusculoskeletal pathologies. This course will review indications and benefits of integrating nerve mobilization/flossing techniques with a variety of patient conditions. Participants will learn how to integrate these intervention strategies with their clients/patients to improve outcomes. Current evidence will be incorporated during discussion.
Highlights

Immediately improve your ability to treat your client’s upper extremity conditions
Integrate treatments with visual demonstrations and easy-to-follow instruction
Improve ADL’s involving tasks such as gripping and fine motor skills
Techniques to reduce pain, restore function, and further supplement a patient’s progression towards functional goals

Over 75 Quick "On the Spot" Techniques for Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Problems - Live Webinar
2025-01-24 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix)
Leaving nothing to the abstract, “75 Quick, ‘On-the-Spot’ Techniques for Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Problems” will guide you through focused, clear and successful methods for treating children. Every professional who seeks to fill their toolbox with tested methods will leave this seminar with a wealth of fresh ideas and rejuvenated spirits.
If you do not have a lot of experience working with children and teens, you will leave with a defined strategy for success. If you are a seasoned professional, you will learn new tricks and techniques to re-energize and revitalize your practice!

Integrating Incontinence Into Occupational Therapy Treatment Plans - Live Webinar
2025-01-24 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix)
Incontinence limits occupational performance for many of the individuals we see in therapy, and OTPs will walk away from this course understanding how to address it in their treatments. This course will empower OTPs to address incontinence with patients across treatment settings.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify three different types of incontinence OTPs can address in treatment.

After this course, participants will be able to recognize high-risk conditions in patients requiring advanced interventions.

After this course, participants will be able to list 5 potential treatment interventions for incontinence.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-10 Minutes
OT’s role in incontinence

10-20 Minutes
Anatomical review and movement

20-25 Minutes
Bowel incontinence and constipation

25-40 Minutes
Treatments for BI

40-65 Minutes
Urinary incontinence

65-70 Minutes
Treatments for UI

70-80 Minutes
How OTPs address incontinence across different settings, including primary care

80-90 Minutes
Goal writing to promote function

90-100 Minutes
Complex conditions

100-115 Minutes
Intro to biofeedback and when to use it

115-120 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Animal-Assisted Therapy: Meeting Clients’ Therapeutic Goals One Paw at a Time! - Live Webinar
2025-01-24 06:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a unique and powerful therapeutic approach that harnesses the positive effect of human-animal interactions.
However, it is more than bringing your pet to work. It requires a complex set of skills, knowledge, and considerations to ensure the safe and effective integration of animals into therapy – ultimately to achieve successful client outcomes.
Join Tara Moser, LCSW, and Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist, as she teaches you how to confidently integrate AAT interventions that produce results even at the very first session! You’ll learn how to:

Build positive attachment and trust with clients
Reduce anxiety levels and induce a sense of relaxation
Support co-regulation between client and animal
Promote self-control and impulse management
Develop self-awareness, compassion, and empathy
Create strong social-emotional communication skills

But that’s not all, you’ll also learn to keep everyone safe, including how to:

Detect signs of stress in animal’s and client’s body language
Select animals that are well-suited for the client’s specific situation
Align your client’s therapy goals to appropriate AAT interventions
Integrate AAT with modalities you already use
Know when to and when not to include animals in therapy
Determine best practices for in-person vs telehealth
And so much more!

Through case studies, video demonstration and dynamic discussion you will leave this program with the skills and confidence to integrate dogs, cats and various other animals into your practice!

Proactive Well-Being Strategies For Healthcare Professionals - Live Webinar
2025-01-23 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Clinicians and healthcare professionals provide tremendous support to patients and clients. However, the often ongoing roles, responsibilities, and demands common in these professions can result in burnout and exhaustion. This webinar will provide a framework to understand risk factors associated with burnout and strategies to support one’s overall health and well-being.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify risk factors for burnout, fatigue, and stress.

After this course, participants will be able to recognize strategies to support their overall health and well-being.

After this course, participants will be able to identify what professionals can do to prevent these conditions and promote work-life balance.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-15 Minutes
Risk factors for burnout, fatigue, stress

15-25 Minutes
Identifying personal risk factors

25-35 Minutes
Strategies to support health and well-being

35-45 Minutes
Examples of self-care and making self-care a practice behavior

45-55 Minutes
Preventing burnout and promoting well-being

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Differential Diagnosis of Dizziness after a Concussion - Webinar
2025-01-22 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Concussion is a common injury that is often poorly identified and poorly managed. It can occur with a variety of mechanisms and affects all ages. These injuries can recover on their own but often (10-30%) of individuals will have persistent symptoms. There are a variety of symptoms that can be present after a concussive injury and often dizziness is one of the most common. There is also research that states that dizziness at the time of injury will have an impact on overall recovery timeline. Research has shown that individualized treatment results in the best outcomes secondary to the multiple systems that are impacted after these injuries. A challenge to concussion management is that none of the symptoms that are often reported are unique to the injury itself. It is essential that clinicians who work with client’s post-concussion have a clear understanding of the variety of possible contributing factors to the symptom presentation so that they can create a targeted plan of intervention. This individualized plan and understanding will ensure optimal patient outcomes.
This course will highlight the variety of impairments and systems that can contribute to dizziness presentation. We will review differential diagnosis as well as targeted interventions to achieve optimal outcomes and patient recovery. The course will present a variety of strategies as well as case studies to help support differential diagnosis strategy. There will also be objective measures including questionnaires, assessments of the cervical spine, vestibular/oculomotor systems and evaluation of the autonomic nervous system.The learner will be able to take these strategies and targeted approach and be able to apply them the next day in the clinic.
Highlights

Practical assessment and re-assessment strategies as well as interventions for functional deficits, underlying conditions, and co- morbidities
Improve your client’s outcomes and recovery by identifying the potential causes of dizziness after a concussive event
Best practices to target the appropriate intervention for most successful outcome

Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome: The Opposite Of ADHD - Live Webinar
2025-01-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix)
We have all heard about ADD without the H. This diagnosis is called CDS (Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome). The signs and symptoms are apparent. These clients are easily confused, daydream, have decreased processing time, and are spacey, lethargic, and sluggish. This seminar will help you to better understand this individual and how best to facilitate success in their lives.
Presented By

Tere Bowen-Irish
OTR/L

Tere Bowen- Irish has practiced Occupational Therapy in pediatrics and psychiatry for over 40 years. Through her business, All the Possibilities, she continues to provide treatment, assessment, and consultation for clients. Workshops for therapists, educators, and parents are offered privately or publicly on a variety of topics such as inclusion, child development, classroom management, behavioral challenges, executive function, and other topics relevant to the 21st-century educational system. The focus is on common sense and a practical approach toward empowering educators and students to create a climate of learning, understanding, and inclusiveness for all abilities.
Tere is also the creator/author of The Drive Thru Menu Suite of Exercises, which is an initiative to bring movement and mindfulness into today’s classrooms. She is a certified YogaKids teacher and a Certified Mindful Schools Instructor. She is the author of Yoga and Me, Come be a Tree and co-authored My Mindful Music with Mary Ann Harman. Feel free to contact Tere at tereirish@gmail.com
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to differentiate between a diagnosis of ADHD and cognitive disengagement.

After this course, participants will be able to analyze the daily impact that the characteristics of this diagnosis have on overall functioning at school, home, and community.

After this course, participants will be able to evaluate interventions and treatment based on signs, symptoms and challenges with daily life skills.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-20 Minutes
Overview of this condition

20-40 Minutes
Consideration of co-morbidity, prognosis, and environmental demands

40-55 Minutes
Interventions to promote success

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication - Live Webinar
2025-01-20 07:00 - 15:00 (America/Phoenix)
Many of our clients diagnosed with ADHD prefer not to take medication. There are various reasons for this including side effects and concerns with long-term use. In this seminar, you’ll learn more about these concerns, as well as alternative interventions for ADHD.
Viewing ADHD from a developmental perspective, we will consider the apparent increase in ADHD diagnoses over the past two decades. By understanding the way brains with and without ADHD function, you’ll be able to better identify a variety of neurodivergent-affirming strategies to significantly impact the nervous system and better manage ADHD symptoms in your clients.
Not only will you walk away with updates about evidence-based non-medication interventions for ADHD such as computerized cognitive training, mindfulness meditation, and neurofeedback, you’ll also learn a variety of practical strategies that you and your clients can implement immediately and at low cost.
We’ll navigate the vast research on exercise, movement, diet, sleep, disruptive technologies, supplements, and the impact of the environment on ADHD, summarizing the findings and applying the information to “real life”. You will leave this seminar with the tools and knowledge to develop a holistic approach to working with adults and children with ADHD.

# 306 CAN-EAT Approach …Using medical, motor, & therapy strategies in pediatric feeding - Live Webinar
2025-01-19 06:00 - 2025-01-20 14:00 (America/Denver)
Pediatric feeding and swallowing problems that effect infants and children may be complex and often involve a combination of factors including issues that can make eating painful or difficult. In order to successfully remediate feeding problems, clinicians must understand how medical and nutritional issues can contribute to feeding disorders and use a comprehensive approach to intervention. The CAN-EAT Approach© is a 2-day workshop focusing on medical, nutritional, and therapeutic strategies for children with pediatric feeding disorders.

This course will allow participants to describe how pediatric feeding disorders are defined in the literature, what the contributing factors include, and how this relates to clinical practice. Identify primary gastrointestinal issues (gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, motility disorders, eosinophilic esophagitis, and visceral hyperalgesia) during a feeding evaluation and explain how these issues affect a child’s feeding skill development and ability to progress. Participants will analyze a child’s oral motor function and apply the knowledge in treatment making recommendations for appropriate diet, utensil use, and development of a therapy plan for skill development. Identify signs and symptoms of pharyngeal dysphagia or risk for pharyngeal dysphagia in a child and make appropriate recommendations for further assessment or treatment. Analyze moderate and complex pediatric feeding cases identifying barriers to feeding progression and apply principles to prioritize treatment strategies and write appropriate goals. Describe and apply examples of therapeutic techniques to reduce gagging, improve liquid and food acceptance, improve chewing skill, and wean from a feeding tube.

In the CAN-EAT Approach© “CAN” stands for comfort and nutrition which come first. Day one will focus on strategies to build GI comfort and good growth as well as explore other medical issues that interfere with feeding progression. Day two will focus on therapeutic strategies from a variety of philosophies. “EA” represents establishing acceptance of the spoon, easy textures or mealtime routine. Then “T” stands for therapy for skill development and feeding progression. Therapeutic strategies for common feeding problems will be explored in depth through lecture and video demonstration.

Information is applicable to infants and children from birth to 21 (class will discuss infants but is not focused on infant feeding issues)

Instructor: Krisi Brackett PhD, CCC-SLP, C/NDT

Supporting Adults With IDD In The Workplace: How OTPs Can Play An Integral Role - Live Webinar
2025-01-17 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Phoenix)
Learn how to best support individuals with IDDs within the workplace through thorough and functional evaluations, adaptive and restorative interventions, staff education, and a guided-discovery approach to learning.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify three ways the CO-OP approach can foster learning in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

After this course, participants will be able to recognize two evaluation tools that can be used within the vocational setting to best capture client’s current level of function and best plan of care.

After this course, participants will be able to list three interventions or supports that can be utilized within the vocational setting for individuals with IDD.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-10 Minutes
Definition of IDD with examples and current need to help increase their employment

10-20 Minutes
Identification and discussion on available evaluation tools

20-30 Minutes
Definition of CO-OP approach and examples of evidenced-based practice

30-45 Minutes
Creating plans of care and implementing them using CO-OP

45-55 Minutes
Educating management and advocating for this population, and for OT

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Presented By

Bridgette Pepmeyer
MOT, OTR/L

Bridgette Pepmeyer has been working as an OT for 12 years in various settings, with a background focusing mainly on neuro-rehabilitation. For the past three years, Bridgette has been helping to run a Café that employs adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and has found that OTs can play a major role in helping these individuals engage meaningfully in employment. Through both adaptive and restorative lenses, and with a strategy-training guided discovery approach like CO-OP, Bridgette has worked to help adults with IDD soar past functional plateaus and gain vocational independence and a heightened sense of self-accomplishment.

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#7314 Interventions for Patients with Brachial Plexus Injury - Live Interactive Webinar
2025-01-16 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Phoenix)
This two-hour webinar will focus on therapeutic techniques used to facilitate improved alignment and muscle re-education for function for patients diagnosed with obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI). Infants with OBPI are immediately identified at birth. The injuries most commonly occur as a result of a difficult birth. A thorough evaluation of the infant, child, or adolescent is critical to assess specific areas of weakness, abnormal movement patterns, and alignment of the whole body throughout the developmental lifespan.
The occupational and physical therapists need an understanding of muscle function and development that occurs as the infant continues to mature and develop. The OT/PT will learn evaluation and intervention strategies for each stage of recovery throughout infancy, childhood, and teen years. The participants will be presented with a detailed overview of the anatomy of the initial nerve injury and the muscular and bony sequelae that often results in lifelong neuromuscular and orthopedic challenges. Developmental biomechanics in relation to treatment will be reviewed. Treatment interventions used for infant/child/adolescent may include: Kinesio tape®, Fabrifoam wraps, casting, orthotics, and compression orthotics. (Intermediate)

Instructor: Patricia (Trish) Martin, PT, Certified Kinesio Taping Instructor and Audrey Yasukawa, MOT, Certified Kinesio Taping Instructor

Clinical Prediction Rules in Neurologic Physical and Occupational Therapy - Webinar
2025-01-16 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
The complexity of neurologic injuries makes for extremely challenging diagnosis and prognosis within physical and occupational therapy practice. Clinicians need evidence- based, practical tools to assist them in providing optimal care and effective reimbursement for patients with neurologic injuries. This course will examine the available clinical prediction rules that can guide diagnosis, intervention, and prognosis and discuss the practical application of these tools across a variety of clinical settings and neurologic diagnoses. Course participants will not only learn how to integrate the most up-to-date research regarding clinical prediction rules into their clinical practice but also discuss the importance of incorporating clinical reasoning and experience into this application.
Highlights

Integrate the most up-to-date research into your clinical practice to maximize patient outcomes
Recognize practical considerations for using clinical prediction rules in clinical practice

Play the Neurodivergent Way - Live Webinar
2025-01-16 06:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Neurodivergent children represent a unique and large part of young clients in play therapy—Autistic, ADHD, learning differences, sensory differences—yet their needs continue to be misunderstood and neglected.
You may unintentionally implement play therapy approaches that can be harmful whereby promoting masking, ableism, and internalized negative self-worth.
As a therapist, being confident that you’re affirming and effective in your play therapy work is essential!
It’s time to embrace and support the diversity of neurological differences!
Join Dr. Robert Grant, expert in working with neurodivergent kids, as he shows you how to celebrate the unique ways in which individual brains function. You’ll learn how to create a safe play therapy environment through interventions, reflective exercises, and case examples for neurodivergent children to explore, heal, and grow!
Play the neurodivergent way, shows you step by step how to implement non ableist and neurodiversity affirming play therapy by:

Understanding the intake process
Setting up your office and play space to honor child’s play preference
Understanding the child’s individual spectrum of presentation
Establishing therapy goals
Implementation of therapy approach and intervention
Completing therapy – termination

Therapists will gain confidence in applying neurodiversity affirming play therapy to help neurodivergent young clients obtain self-acceptance, self-expression, strengths recognition, advocacy, and personal growth.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind chance to confidently support your neurodivergent kids!

ADL Adaptations For The Neurologic Upper Extremity - Live Webinar
2025-01-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix)
Due to atypical movement patterns, the neurologic upper extremity has unique functional limitations regarding ADL skills. The learner will dive into individual ADL challenges within this course and identify specific custom activity adaptations, adapted equipment, and home modifications to compensate for these unique impairments. Supporting research articles are included to optimize the learner’s skill set and ensure the provision of evidence-based treatment interventions for the utmost level of care.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to analyze the atypical upper extremity clinical characteristics within various neurologic upper extremity pathologies.

After this course, participants will be able to distinguish customized activity adaptations and/or home safety modifications to reduce the risk of falls in the neurologic population.

After this course, participants will be able to compare/contrast a variety of adapted equipment and assisted devices to achieve personal, meaningful ADL goals with individuals with sensory and motor disorders.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-30 Minutes
Addressing feeding challenges

30-40 Minutes
Addressing grooming challenges

40-55 Minutes
Addressing toileting challenges

55-75 Minutes
Addressing bathing challenges

75-90 Minutes
Addressing UB/LB dressing and footwear challenges

90-100 Minutes
Addressing IADL challenges

100-110 Minutes
Supporting evidence for home assessments and modifications

110-115 Minutes
Addressing mobility challenges

115-120 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

AI For Innovative School-Based OT: Practical Tools For Enhanced Student Support - Live Webinar
2025-01-10 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Phoenix)
Explore how AI can enhance school-based occupational therapy in this one-hour webinar. Learn practical, evidence-based tools to support student success, streamline workflow, and personalize interventions. Ideal for OTs seeking innovative ways to integrate AI for improved outcomes in school settings. Join us to unlock the potential of AI in your practice!
Presented By

Julia Colman
OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Julia Colman, OTD, OTR/L, BCP is a licensed occupational therapist with nearly 10 years of experience in pediatric and mental health practice. She has additional training in infant feeding and swallowing, lactation counseling, and trauma-informed care. Dr. Colman’s current focus is on addressing sensory processing differences, executive functioning, and self-regulation needs using a neurodiversity-affirming approach across practice settings, promoting optimized occupational performance and participation for individuals and populations. She is a full-time faculty member with the Department of Occupational Therapy at Northern Arizona University. She continues to provide OT services in pediatric acute care and private practice settings. She has presented at conferences at the state and national levels and has been published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. She is a faculty advisor for the Pi Theta Epsilon honor society and is an active member of AOTA and ArizOTA.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify key AI tools that can support occupational therapy (OT) documentation, assessment, and intervention in school settings.

After this course, participants will be able to recognize the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into school-based OT practice.

After this course, participants will be able to list practical AI applications that enhance student support and streamline OT workflows.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-15 Minutes
Understanding AI in School-Based OT

15-30 Minutes
Practical Tools and Applications

30-40 Minutes
Benefits and Challenges of AI Integration

40-50 Minutes
Guidelines for Implementing AI in Practice

50-55 Minutes
Future of AI in School-Based OT

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

#7302 SIP: Swallowing in Pediatrics - Live Webinar
2025-01-08 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix)
The SIPS (swallowing in pediatrics) course is designed to equip the feeding therapist with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills essential for evaluating and managing pediatric dysphagia effectively for patients birth to 18 years of age. Pediatric dysphagia is defined as any disruption to the swallowing sequence that results in a compromise and safety, efficiency, or adequacy of fluid and or nutritional intake (Dodrill & Gosa, 2015). Throughout our sessions, we will explore the anatomy and physiology of pediatric swallowing, discuss common etiologies and clinical manifestations of dysphagia in children, and review evidence-based assessment tools and therapeutic interventions. We will discuss crucial differences between feeding disorders versus swallowing problems. This class offers a crucial opportunity to enhance your expertise and contribute to improving the quality of life for young patients with swallowing difficulties. Course instruction methods include lecture, videos, case studies and question/answers. (Intermediate Level)

Instructor: Krisi Brackett PhD, CCC-SLP, C/NDT

Optimizing Core Retraining, Part 1 - Live Webinar
2025-01-07 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix)
Rehab providers talk about “the core” frequently, especially for their patients with spine and lower extremity dysfunction. However, there is a wide range of practice patterns and little consensus regarding optimally training the core. This two-part course overviews current evidence and evidence-supported practices to optimize core retraining.

This is part 1 of a two-part course. This course includes anatomy and physiology of the core, examination techniques, and case studies.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to analyze the anatomy and physiology of the core system.

After this course, participants will be able to apply the relationship of the core system with the body and movement in order to support functional interventions for occupations and functional performance tasks.

After this course, participants will be able to evaluate for appropriate motor control strategies of the core, including sources of impairment if they exist.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Background, review of learning outcomes

5-50 Minutes
Anatomy & physiology of the core

50-100 Minutes
Examination techniques

100-115 Minutes
Case study

115-120 Minutes
Summary, Q&A

Creating a “Sensory Safe” Evacuation Plan - Live Webinar
2025-01-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
As the risk of natural disasters continues to rise and threaten the well-being of all people, individuals with Sensory Processing Disorders face specific challenges that may impede their ability to evacuate to safety. This course provides clinicians with an in-depth look at these challenges and the tools needed to help clients develop a “Sensory-Safe” evacuation plan.
Presented By

Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco
MS, OTR/L

Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, M.S., OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, former teacher, author, and founder of the Brain Executive Program. She has combined her clinical knowledge with her experience as an educator to create this program aimed at empowering children and their families through everyday neuroscience to be the power-holders and change-makers in their own lives. Her book, How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp! was a top Amazon release in two categories. Kathryn graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, where she also worked with the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program to pursue her desire to be an advocate and leader in pediatric healthcare. She developed the Sensory Safe Evacuation Planner and has shared it internationally at conferences as well as written about it for OT Practice Magazine and Autism Parenting Magazine. She enjoys life with her husband, Justin, and their daughter, Mackenzie, wherever the military sends them.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to differentiate between the experience of a natural disaster from the perspective of a person with and without a disability.

After this course, participants will be able to analyze potential challenges that a person with sensory processing dysfunction/disorder might encounter during an evacuation.

After this course, participants will be able to identify an evacuation plan that meets the sensory needs of an individual with sensory processing disorder/dysfunction.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-20 Minutes
Natural Disasters and People with Disabilities

20-35 Minutes
Sensory-Based Challenges During Evacuations

35-55 Minutes
Creating an Evacuation Plan to Support Sensory Needs

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

"Break Through" Self-Regulation Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Autism, ADHD, Sensory or Emotional Challenges - Live Webinar
2024-12-19 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix)
Message from Your Presenter …
No one ever said that working with children with autism, ADHD or sensory disorders is easy. Theo will only eat white foods, tends to be buried in his own world and melts when he is transitioned too quickly. Steven, in 6th grade, has ADHD, poor organization skills and an attitude that is hard to break through. But, how do we help a child break through the self-regulation issues that limit their achievements?
I discovered this was a simple question with a complex answer. I set out to learn as much as I could about theories, techniques, and research that could help make the lives of these young people much more manageable and promising. I took intensive courses on multi-sensory approaches, sensory integration, self-regulation, yoga, autism, ADHD and became a certified autism specialist in 2018. I have extensive experience adapting these techniques to make them usable in a variety of settings while working closely with teachers, aides, child study professionals, and parents.
Join me as I guide you through a broad set of self-regulation interventions culled from my years of research and practice along with strategies for adapting them to your setting. You will leave my program with the essential skills, interventions and strategies to help children find harmony with themselves, their families, and the world around them!
You will learn:

The most effective calming, sensory, motor or behavioral techniques for a given type of behavior
Peer-to-peer video feedback as a social intervention for children and teens with ASD
Sleep interventions for children with erratic sleep schedules
Interventions for repetitive and restrictive behaviors for a child with stereotypy
Organization strategies for home and school for teenagers with ADHD
And more!

I look forward to seeing you there! Register today!

Therapeutic Examination and Diagnostic Testing for Patients with Neurological Conditions - Webinar
2024-12-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Phoenix)
It has been estimated that one in six individuals have a neurological condition (PAHO, 2021). Neurological conditions are among the most complex diagnoses seen by practitioners. Conditions involving the neurological system can affect behavior, cognition, memory, movement, pain, and sensory systems. Many neurological diagnoses affect more than one of these areas; therefore, making therapeutic recovery even more challenging. This course will cover the many medical diagnostic tests and therapy-related examinations used to make an accurate diagnosis by physicians and to guide our therapeutic interventions for safe and effective results.
Highlights

Acquire a deeper understanding of commonly utilized examinations and tests used with the neurologically involved population to determine levels of physical and cognitive abilities
Strategies for creating a plan of care for theneurologically involved population for improved safety and outcomes
Increase knowledge of medical diagnostic testing for alumbar puncture, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, electroencephalogram, and nerve conduction studies

Complex Developmental Trauma: Attachment, Neurobiological and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions to Heal the Traumatized Child - Live Webinar
2024-12-18 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
When children’s nervous systems are activated, they’re engulfed in a flood of stress hormones, setting off a chain reaction.
They experience feelings of unsafety, overwhelm, anger, and disconnection, trapping them in their “trauma brain” and hindering the development of executive functioning skills.
“As emotions and bodies spiral out of control, children are often mislabeled with a multitude of diagnoses—ODD, ADHD, anxiety.
We assume the behaviors are intricately connected, rather than just isolated incidents. But what if we approached each symptom individually?
Rather than assigning diagnoses, we’ll implement anxiety interventions to restore feelings of safety, attachment-based approaches to alleviate feelings of loneliness associated with depression, and sensory regulation techniques to better manage emotions activated by sensory memories.”
Join Dr. Christina Reese, a leading expert in attachment and trauma therapy for children, as she guides you through techniques to:

Restore developmental milestones to support recovery from developmental delays
Harness neuroplasticity to reshape beliefs to overcome oppositional behavior
Quiet the hyper-vigilant nervous system to facilitate emotional wellbeing
Bring dysregulated emotions back to a balanced state to strengthen relationships with caregivers
Unlock potential of executive skills by bringing safety and stability
Build treatment plans that focus on symptoms not disorders to bring healing

Let’s make it our mission to unlock the limitless potential residing within every child affected by complex trauma.
Register now!

Impact of Visual Deficits on Motor and Cognitive Development in Infants and Toddlers - Webinar
2024-12-13 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix)
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children spend up to seven hours a day in front of a screen. Such exposure to screen time has compromised their ability to participate in movement activities to encourage normal visual, motor, cognitive, and social development. The subsequent complications can include difficulty with visual processing,and motor and cognitive development that impact the child’s ability to learn. Screen time influence, coupled with a need to confine children in equipment, has further influenced how children learn. This session seeks to provide ways to identify infants and toddlers at risk for developing visual deficits that can later influence the child’s motor and cognitive development. Clinicians involved with at-risk children can potentially change a child’s developmental trajectory.
This course will highlight ways in which practitioners who work with infants and toddlers can use visual approaches to influence motor and cognitive development. Participants will gain an appreciation for the complexity of the child’s visual development and how this sense influences motor and cognitive skills. An initial review of the visual system, risk factors, and available assessments will be provided; followed by a demonstration of intervention strategies. Through interactive discussion and analysis of a case example, participants will demonstrate practical ways to influence the visual system and provide supportive home programming to families, caregivers, or teachers. The participants will be able to return to their clinic, school, or home settings with the knowledge to support their client’s visual skill development.
The content of this program is germane to children, students and clients ages 0- 18.
Highlights

Evidence review from over 10 articles that highlight the alarming problem associated with visual and motor development due to environmental influences on young children and unfortunate later effects related to learning
Practical ways to address visual, motor, and cognitive development
Interact with a case to develop solutions and create opportunities for carry-over in the home or school settings
Effective, evidence-based interventions to address visual, motor, and cognitive deficits

Advanced Seating and Positioning Strategies in Pediatrics - Webinar
2024-12-12 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Therapists working with pediatrics will regularly treat patients utilizing mobility devices including wheelchairs and medical strollers. It is imperative that clinicians be moderately familiar with seating principles to facilitate improved outcomes and independence. This course focuses on equipping therapists with advanced skills in pediatric seating and positioning, crucial for enhancing functional independence. Participants will delve into seating principles and recommendations commonly applied in pediatric rehabilitation, with a focus on mobility devices such as wheelchairs and medical strollers. Through case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will explore posture, motor control, and mobility planning to facilitate improved outcomes for pediatric patients.
The content of this program is germane to children, students and clients ages 1-21.
Highlights

Effective strategies for optimizing seating and positioning to promote independence in daily activities
Practical assessment skills for identifying postural support needs and addressing mobility concerns
