Rehab Net invites you to Join Us for on April 6, 2024

THE PEDIATRIC BRAIN: UNDERSTANDING THE “WHY” BEHIND YOUR THERAPY:

Applying Neurobiology to Functional Treatment (6.75 Contact Hours)

 - Janine Wiskinds, MS, OTR/L

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides pediatric therapists with a deeper understanding of the complex multi-system involvement of neurobiology in behavior, emotions, movement, development, and daily functioning.  Part one focuses on brain development, neurobiology of the individual brain structures, and neurotransmitters. Part two focuses on the emotional brain, the limbic system, the autonomic nervous system, polyvagal theory, and the correlation to primitive reflex integration. Primitive reflexes associated with development of head control and the postural system will be discussed in detail. Part three shifts focus to the somatosensory system, vestibular, and visual systems.  In each section, the instructor applies neurobiology to both function and application to treatment, allowing therapists to synthesize and understand the material to bring it into functional application in creative and appropriate treatment activities. 

This course applies to Speech Therapy by providing an understanding of cognitive development in applying treatment concepts. At the end of this course, therapists will have a functional knowledge of neurobiology, primitive reflexes, and the somatosensory and visual-vestibular systems in the pediatric population. They will be able to utilize this knowledge immediately to augment their current practice.

Janine Wiskind MS, OTR/L engages her audience with her dynamic teaching style and makes intense information easy to understand and apply. For more than 20 years, she has worked as a pediatric occupational therapist. Beginning her career in brain injury, then moving into the school systems, she now operates her own pediatric clinic. Janine has always been fascinated with the “why” behind children’s behavior and the families that we treat.  It is this curiosity and passion that inspires Janine to learn continuously herself: she continues to take classes and reads a plethora of books.  She strives to share this knowledge through her classes and give therapists the tools, creativity, and curiosity to keep growing and becoming their best therapeutic selves for their clients. Janine has also ventured into parent coaching with an online platform to support the many parents who can benefit from understanding their children through the OT lens.  www.janinewiskind.com

COURSE ATTENDEES:

This course is intended for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and speech therapists.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Describe the stages of development of the central nervous system in utero.

2. Explain the functions of the brain stem, cerebral cortices, thalamus, and insula.  

3. Recognize the role that the cerebellum and basal ganglia have on sensory processing and motor control.

3. Explain the role of neurotransmitters in regulating the nervous system.

4. Summarize the autonomic nervous system’s role in the regulation of emotion and behavior.

5. Describe polyvagal theory and its correlation to sensory processing.

6. Identify the primitive reflexes associated with developing head control and emotional regulation. 

7. Assess and treat primitive reflexes: Moro Reflex, Fear Paralysis Reflex, Hands Pulling Reflex, Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, Landau Reflex, and Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex.

8. Recognize the role that the somatosensory system, visual, and vestibular systems have on motor control, emotional regulation, and behavior. 

9. Analyze and treat somatosensory and visual-vestibular skills in the pediatric population.

10. Demonstrate five specific treatment activities integrating the concepts presented in this course. 

AGENDA: 

1. Introduction and brief overview of the neurobiology of the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, cerebellum (these components I feel are very relevant to speech therapists). This section would also then encompass treatment suggestions as it relates to those individual functions of the brain. 

 2. Section on emotion and its overall connection to behavior. This would include an understanding of the Limbic system and it's connection to function, movement, posture, and language. An introduction to Moro, Hands Pulling, Tendon Guard, Landau and STNR reflexes as the building of posture in this plane of movement is vital to overall emotional regulation and function. 

 3. A section on the sensory systems - somatosensory and visual-vestibular with brief neurobiology and then assessment and treatment suggestions. 

Course Schedule for April 6, 2024

7:30-8:00am  Registration

8:00-10:00am     Class

10:00-10:15am   Break

10:15-12:15pm  Class

12:15-1:30pm     Lunch Meeting for Rehab Net Members and their Staff. All others on their own for lunch.

1:30-2:30pm      Class

2:30-2:45pm      Break

2:45-4:45pm       Class

This course is free for all Rehab Net members and their staff.  Others may attend for a registration fee of $195.

To make hotel reservations at the Wyndham CLICK HERE.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

There are no charges to Rehab Net members and their staff to attend, however if you register and do not attend or cancel less than 10 business days in advance, your employer will be billed $25 which may be passed on to you.

Other attendees will receive a full refund if cancelled at least 10 business days before the course date.  If later than ten business days, they will receive a 50% refund.

Tickets

$0.00 Rehab Net Member Registration

$195.00 Non Member Registration
$155.00 Earlybird rate before March 15

$250.00 Exhibitor Registration - Table, 2 chairs and 2 representatives