Description
Our brains can be rewired to enhance new learning. In some cases, the brain acts as an adaptive mechanism to compensate for lost function or maximize remaining function in the event of brain injury.
April Christopherson – Pediatric Neuroplasticity Interventions for Sensory and Primitive Reflex Integration
As therapists, when we treat the causes and symptoms of these motor delays, we can utilize alternate brain pathways to improve the effects of therapy. Neuroplasticity treatment advances motor and cognitive functions in the brain.
This course delivers new and exciting ideas on how to detour around damage and incorporate viable nervous system connections, from congenital abnormalities to traumatic brain injuries. You’ll learn how to use therapy approaches that can change the brain in the areas of reaction timing, motor control, language, and sensory development and how neuroplasticity can positively affect challenges some children have such as poor auditory processing, hinders in reflex integration, delayed developmental milestone achievement, poor language development, and more!
In this recording, you will gain creative and evidence-based approaches to incorporate into a multisensory experience and drive home the importance of diverse and novel activities during treatment sessions. Video case studies will demonstrate changes before and after integrative neuroplasticity treatments. The therapy techniques learned in this one-day course can be easily integrated into the clinic or home as early as the next day!
Handouts
Manual – Pediatric Neuroplasticity Interventions for Sensory and Primitive Reflex Integration (4.20 MB) 46 Pages Available after Purchase
Outline
NEUROANATOMY & BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Brain stem and functions
Occipital lobe
Temporal lobe
Frontal lobe
Parietal lobe
BEYOND THE LEVEL OF BRAIN DAMAGE
Neurodevelopmental screens
Examples of damage
What is working and what is not
Where to rewire
Therapy in infants – faster change
Going deep into the brain
DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS – HOW TO APPROACH TREATMENT
Developmental milestone review
Sensory motor development
Vision
Vision and hearing
Speech Sensation
Primitive reflex patterns and influence
Going back a step-in therapy treatments
NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE NERVOUS SYSTEM FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Lobes next door
Videos of before and after sensory
stimulation combinations
How vision can be stimulated
Education for parents and caregivers
Shaping neuropathways
RESULTS OF NEUROPLASTICITY TECHNIQUES
Changing brain connectivity
Primitive reflex integration and increased active movements
The “team†– patient, therapist, and parent/caregiver
Sensory stimulation to promote appropriate motor response
Smooth movements
Strength is not the same as tone
Simple activities to present to parents
INTEGRATING NEUROPLASTICITY INTO THERAPY
Sensation is 3-dimensional
Vision exercises
Sensory stimulation for high tone vs. low tone
Faculty
April Christopherson, OTR/L
April Christopherson, OTR/L, has been an occupational therapist for over 25 years and has worked with diverse populations in a variety of settings. She is the founder and owner of Exploration Kids Therapy in Colorado. April worked as the director of OT and director of training and development for over 10 years for The Shandy Clinic in Colorado Springs, CO. She sits on the clinical advisory board for Interactive Metronome Corporation. She is a member of both the Advanced Brain Technologies and Interactive Metronome adjunct faculty where she teaches introductory and advanced continuing education courses to professionals. She has traveled around the USA and the world teaching on Neuroplasticity and Development. April was granted her degrees in Occupational Therapy and Psychology from St Ambrose University in Davenport, IA in 1991.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: April Christopherson is owner of Exploration Kids Therapy. She receives a consulting fee from Interactive Metronome; and Advanced Brain Technologies. Ms. Christopherson receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.
Non-financial: April Christopherson has no relevant non-financial relationship to disclose.
