When: Thursdays – October 10, 17, 24, 31 – 9:00 am-12:00 pm ET US
Where: Online
Description
Build your expertise in pediatric trauma and attachment. Child abuse and trauma in the U.S. and globally are on the rise, and so is the need for highly skilled Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) who are trained to effectively treat a child living with the after-effects of trauma, violence, or neglect.
Session 1: October 10, 2024
Topics:
Therapeutic Use of Self through an Attachment Lens
When approaching everyday pediatric occupational therapy practice through a trauma- informed lens, it is critical to view every moment of contact with a client as both assessment and intervention. What do we do as therapists when our therapy sessions don’t go as planned? What do we do when a child is resistant to engaging in what we have to offer? The answer is that we become curious about what is really going on for the child—and we recognize the contributions of the therapist/client relationship in informing our assessment. The therapeutic relationships we create with our clients develop the foundational backdrop of comfort and safety for the child, and their family, opening the doorway for the provision of both standardized and informal evaluation within the occupational therapy context.
This two-hour online session will examine the interpersonal neurobiology of therapeutic use of self and its influence on regulation of a child’s state of arousal through relationship.
Through lecture, conversation and analysis, participants will deepen their skill set of intentional non-verbal observations and interventions that support the process of standardized evaluation and clinical observations. Through a deeper understanding of attachment and trauma-informed principles, pediatric occupational therapy practice can become more impactful for our clients and their families.
The Use of Projective Techniques in Occupational Therapy Practice
Much needs to be said of how the “body keeps the score” (Bessel van der Kolk), and as occupational therapists we certainly emphasize the importance of these words in everyday practice. We also focus on how the emotional psyche meets the physical body as we establish a much-needed holistic approach to each individual child we see.
In this workshop Maude will focus on using projective techniques to support our understanding through the social-emotional lens. Even as some techniques will warrant an additional journey of training, Maude will also cover assessment tools that could be used in practice the very next day.
Discover the richness of the greater understanding this brings with regards to the physical and emotional aspects of healing, wellness and wellbeing.
Session 2: October 17, 2024
Topics:
Considerations for Praxis Assessment for Individuals with Trauma Backgrounds
This lecture will examine how to assess praxis skills in individuals with trauma backgrounds. Particular emphasis will be given on aspects of the assessment process which may be particularly challenging or triggering for individuals with trauma.
Clinical Observations from a Body-Based Perspective: Identifying Sensory, Regulation and Relational Difficulties
Drawing from the rich theoretical and practical aspects of Dr. Jean Ayres seminal work in Sensory Integration, Sheila M. Frick will examine a variety of informative clinical observations appropriate for clinic, school, and home environments. Beyond a basic template for conducting these observations, participants will explore how to interpret the findings and their connections to difficulties with sensory processing and integration. Furthermore, the discussion will introduce participants to key reflexes and developmental movement patterns that influence sensory modulation along with a felt sense or safety, stability and connectedness.
Session 3: October 24, 2024
Topics:
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Assessment, A Sensory-Attachment Perspective
Occupational Therapists need to be mindful of the potential to re-traumatize children during the assessment process. To avoid this, certain steps need to be taken that include being informed of the trauma history, attachment relationships and most importantly the child’s adaptive responses to danger. A trauma-informed approach requires the therapist to be flexible and adaptive in how they carry out assessment procedures, while at the same time not compromising the validity of their assessments. This ensures the child operates within their window of tolerance and enables optimal performance.
Attachment and Sensory Patterns: Implications for Assessment in Trauma-Informed Care
Attachment and sensory patterns are meaningfully related, co-developing, interacting constructs. This has implications for occupational therapy assessment and treatment, particularly in the field of pediatric and family care.
In this workshop, Pam will share findings from her research about the connection between attachment and sensory patterns, and observations of the relevance of these findings for our work with families.
Particular foci include:
- clearly defining the constructs of attachment and sensory patterns;
- overviewing measures available to assess these constructs; and
- considering how parent-child relationships (and their respective sensory/attachment patterns) might impact measurement of these constructs.
Session 4: October 31, 2024
Topics:
Breathtaking: Understanding the Connections Between Breath Mechanics, Posture and Trauma
The mechanics of the breath are as fascinating as they are complex. Breathing provides us with necessary oxygen but also contributes to the foundation of posture, balance, emotional regulation, continence, lymph drainage, and more.
This presentation explores the basics of breath mechanics and the connections between this process and posture as well as how trauma can disrupt these important networks. An assessment that reflects the dynamic systems nature of breathing will also be discussed, introducing participants to an expanded understanding of the breath.
Putting it all together: So, What Now?
How do we organize all that we have learned? During this final presentation Maude will compile a summary of all the different nuggets to support the therapist in building their own unique evaluation template that would include attachment- and trauma- informed care. This will be a “structure” session with a large chunk of time devoted to any lingering questions that therapists may still have. As this workshop series is closing, Maude will also highlight the thought process behind the level 3 workshop series with focus on intervention.
