Completing professional development training for school staff enhances the educator's understanding of how to support their student's learning.  Following a training, we see the school staff's empathy increase, additional curiosity and engagement with their therapists in thoughtful discussions on how to help their students and more consistent implementation of strategies suggested during the training.  Below is a listing of offerings; trainings can be customized to meet the needs of the school staff.  Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) meeting topics are also available to support parents. To schedule a professional training or SEAC meeting, email Heather Schmidt at heather@integrativeot.org.

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Introduction to Occupational Therapy (OT) in the Schools

30 min - Occupational therapists work closely with teachers and school staff, but often staff are unsure of the role of OT in the schools. This training can be completed with the entire school staff, special education teachers, special education team, or paraprofessionals. Information addressed includes an introduction to what is OT and role of OT in the schools, an explanation of the primary reasons for referrals, education on the OT pre-referral checklists, and best practice for collaboration with OT. One of these additional topics can be included based on the school’s goal for the training: common accommodations supported by the OT or common therapeutic supports used in the classroom (an explanation of the purpose of the support and demonstration of its use is included).

 

Occupational Therapy Paraprofessionals training

1 hour - Occupational therapists work closely with paraprofessionals to support IEP goals and objectives. When the paraprofessionals understand why they are supporting the students with specific activities, techniques or equipment, they are more likely to follow through and ask more questions to best serve the students. This presentation will create a partnership between the occupational therapist and paraprofessionals by educating them on the role of OT in school and explaining sensory processing/sensory processing disorder. Common accommodations supported by OT, therapy supports commonly seen in the classroom and education on sensory breaks/ways to maximize benefits of these breaks will be addressed. Attendees will participate in one movement and breathing activity.

2 hour - All of the information from the one hour presentation will be included along with an in-depth explanation of sensory processing disorder, an opportunity to experience what it feels like to have sensory processing disorder, additional movement and breathing experiential learning opportunities, and additional school specific directives on group sensory breaks, hallway breaks or other school specific information will be provided.

Move to Learn: Incorporating Movement into the Classroom

1 hour - Research supports the need for students and adults to exercise and move their bodies for optimal health and learning. This training is for classroom teachers to understand the impact of movement & exercise on the brain, know when and how to incorporate movement into the classroom and experience at least one movement and breathing activity. Teachers will be given time to create a plan to implement the next school day and be provided a list of resources for movement activities.

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Support Student Success from an Occupational Therapy Perspective

2 hours - Occupational therapists understand how activating our senses can improve brain function and enhance learning. In this presentation, school staff will gain a greater understanding of the role of OT in the school and areas supported by OT, but more importantly they will learn how to enhance learning with their students, not just the ones receiving occupational therapy services. An in-depth explanation of sensory processing/sensory processing disorder and motor skills will be discussed. Teachers will be given information on ways to enhance learning by incorporating movement breaks into the day and providing cognitive/sensory supports for students, understand developmentally appropriate expectations and receive education of environmental considerations to enhance learning. Specific instructions will be given to setup a space in the classroom for children to take a break. Attendees will complete movement and breathing experiential learning opportunities and be provided a list of resources for movement breaks.

RESET: An Integrative Approach to Trauma Informed Education

4 hours - Nearly all teachers and schools work with children who have experienced trauma. One out of every 4 children attending school has been exposed to a traumatic event that can affect learning and/or behavior (source: The National Traumatic Child Stress Network Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators). It is important for educators to understand how best to support students who have experienced trauma. In this training, teachers will gain an understanding of what is trauma, the impact of trauma on the brain and learning, and gain an understanding of trauma informed education. Teachers will walk away with practical solutions on how to foster & build relationships with their students, empower students on a daily basis, support self-regulation and enhance their classroom environment to support these areas. Small group discussion, action plans to implement the next school day, and participation in movement, breathing and mindfulness strategies will be included in the presentation.

6 hours - The all-day training includes all the information above, with the additional time for teachers to make a comprehensive plan for their entire day with when/how they will incorporate the strategies discussed in the training. Additional time will be provided to experience movement, breathing and mindfulness strategies along with role playing to support relationships with students.

Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Meetings - 1-hour meetings

Sensory Processing Disorder: Understanding your child’s needs and how to help
Everyone has sensory-based needs and sensitivities of varying degrees. Oftentimes, parents are unsure how to manage their child's unique needs and may be surprised to learn how they may be tied to outward behavioral reactions they are seeing at home. In this presentation, parents will be given information on the supportive role of OT in schools and how that differs from outpatient clinics, sensory processing/sensory processing disorder, and therapy supports commonly seen in the classroom that may also be implemented at home. Attendees will be provided a list of resources of activities to do at home along with a list of resources available in the  community to support their child. 
 

Getting the Wiggles out in Winter

All children benefit from play and physical activity! Living in Minnesota can provide some challenges to families in how to give children enough of that physical activity during the cold, dark months of winter. When activity is restricted due to weather, outward behaviors can become more challenging for parents to manage. In this presentation, parents will be given background information on a child’s sensory needs to explain why these behaviors escalate and be provided with numerous practical ideas to support children at home and out in the community. Attendees will be provided with a list of activities for the home that includes affordable equipment and use of items they may already have around the house as well as community-based resources specific to the area.