Gwen Wild – 2-Day Neuro-Based Self-Regulation Toolbox For Children and Adolescents

Faculty:

Gwen Wild
Duration:
12 Hours 43 Minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
Dec 09, 2019

Gwen Wild – 2-Day Neuro-Based Self-Regulation Toolbox For Children and Adolescents

Description

Watch Gwen Wild, MOT, OTR/L, renowned self-regulation expert in this intensive 2-day recording to learn clinically proven neurological approaches to address self-regulation in children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), ADHD, ODD, OCD, anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, fetal drug exposure, and physical disabilities.
Knowing the underlying brain connections will help you better select and develop appropriate interventions for challenging behaviors, such as hyper-activity, aggression, frequent meltdowns, outbursts, extreme sensory sensitivities, self-stimulation, inattentiveness and more.
Watch this recording and become a leader in your field and elevate your work with children and adolescents with over 100 brain-based strategies to implement in your clinic or classroom immediately!
You will leave the course being able to:

Identify signs and symptoms of neurological differences such as neurotransmitter imbalance, hyperactivity in the insular cortex and amygdala, impaired sensory processing, and poor communication between different regions of the brain
Form newer and stronger neural connections in key brain areas to enhance social communication, learning, sensory processing, and response to trauma or stress
Immediately alter neurotransmitter levels to enhance focus, improve mood, and regulate emotions
Change brain waves to facilitate a calm and organized state
Facilitate development in certain brain structures responsible for processing sensory input, enhancing emotional awareness and regulation, and decreasing anxiety
Simplify home programs to empower parents and teachers to ensure carry-over into the home and school settings
Apply the science behind meditation, mindfulness, Ayres Sensory Integration™, therapeutic listening programs, and “brain breaks”

By using a bottom-up approach you can strategically select intervention strategies that strengthen the neurological foundation needed for higher skills to emerge in the children and adolescents you work with!
BONUS MATERIAL! Purchase and receive FREE …

Readily available resources including screening and assessment tools, brain-based strategies, relevant research, and helpful forms; and
Membership to BrainWorks Online to simplify the process of creating home programs!

Handouts
Manual (16.43 MB) 147 Pages Available after Purchase Instructions for ASHA Credit – SELF STUDY ONLY – 12/09&10/19 (38.5 KB) Available after Purchase

Outline
Neurological Development

Latest research on neurological differences associated with:

Motor skills, sensory processing, language development, self-regulation and learning

Hindrances to typical brain development
Structural brain differences and neurochemistry in common diagnoses and symptoms
A bottoms-up model for brain-based intervention
Video labs and hands-on brain models

Assessment of Neurological Functioning

SPD vs ADHD
Sensory vs behavior
Behavior disorders
Standardized assessment tools
Behavior analysis
Easily accessible checklists and questionnaires

Build a Strong Neurological Foundation

Sensory-motor activities to build strong neural connections between key brain regions
Strengthen the insular cortex to improve emotional awareness
Strategies to stimulate the vagal nerve to power up the parasympathetic nervous system
Integrate primitive reflexes to enhance posture, motor control, and emotional responses
Case Study: 16-year-old boy with HFA, SPD and EF challenges
Lab: 1) Acupoint tapping; 2) Vagal stimulation activity

Using Neuroplasticity to Repair/Rebuild Affected Brain Structures

Restore balance between the frontal cortex and the amygdala to decrease sensory sensitivities, anxiety and aggression
Auditory stimulation to facilitate a calm and focused state
Yoga and mindfulness strategies to reduce an overactive fight-or-flight response
Proprioceptive, vestibular and tactile input to regulate emotional responses, reduce self-stimming, self-injury and anxiety
Lab: 1) Joint compressions 2) Rhythmic movements

Neurochemistry’s Impact on Behavior, Emotions, Motor Skills and Learning

Primary role of major neurotransmitters
Signs and symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalance
Correlation between neurotransmitters, sensory processing and emotions
Evidence-based strategies for neurotransmitter deficits/excesses
Case Study: 12-year-old girl, trauma history, extreme tactile sensitivities, atypical social behaviors
Lab: Change your own neurochemistry now!

Targeting Higher Level Brain Centers

CBT to identify triggers and manage emotions
Behavior mapping to improve self-awareness
Social stories and video modeling to target mirror neurons and teach appropriate responses
Programs to improve social skills and manage physiological response to conflict and stress
Token economy to address self-regulation
Case Study: 6-year-old boy, off-task and fidgety behaviors
Lab: 1) binaural beats to impact brain waves 2) Mindfulness activity to balance neurotransmitters

The Role of Medication

Perspectives on medication
Commonly prescribed medications for childhood diagnoses
Supplements to consider
Case Study: 11-year-old boy, difficulty with attention, differentiating symptoms of ADHD vs. SPD

Brain Health

Nutrients for neurotransmitter production
Sleep hygiene
Nature
Physical Health
Use of electronics and video games
Case Study: 21-year-old with autism, severe sleep disorder, obesity

Clinical Considerations

Goal-writing
Data-tracking
Limitations of research and potential risks

Faculty

Gwen Wild, MOT, OTR/L

Gwen Wild, MOT, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Disorders, neurological disorders and a wide variety of developmental disorders in numerous settings. She is the owner of Sensational Brain, LLC, and creator of the popular BrainWorksâ„¢ tools, a system for creating effective sensory diets that empowers kids to take charge of their sensory needs.
Gwen is steadfast in helping children learn to self-regulate to manage their behaviors and emotions effectively. She works directly with educators, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, BCBAs and other professionals in her roles as an educator, consultant to two school districts and provider of private pediatric occupational therapy services in homes.
Gwen presents worldwide on topics related to sensory modulation and self-regulation teaching practitioners, parents, and teachers who work with children and adolescents practical treatments and interventions. She has been invited to speak at numerous state and local conferences and has been featured on podcasts. Gwen has led and co-authored two research studies on the implementation of sensory strategies for the purpose of enhancing self-regulation, the most recent of which was published in a peer reviewed journal. She is an active member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and at the state level, she is a member of the Michigan Occupational Therapy Association.
Speaker Disclosure:
Financial: Gwen Wild is the owner of Sensational Brain LLC. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc.
Non-financial: Gwen Wild has no relevant non-financial relationship to disclose.