School-Based OTs - Sensory Processing Tools and Strategies: Improving Attention, Focus, and Function (Grades PK-12) Presented by Jenny Clark, OTR/L Outstanding Occupational Therapist and International Presenter

Specifically Designed for Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Education Teams Working With Students in Preschool-Grade 12

Practical Ideas and Strategies

Do you work with students who struggle with sensory processing, finding it hard to focus, maintain attention, or function effectively? Are you seeking ways to support these students who, despite their intelligence and potential, seem unable to meet academic expectations and are often unfairly labeled with terms like "lazy," "manipulative," "attention-seeking," or "difficult"? Join accomplished school-based occupational therapist Jenny Clark in this seminar, where she will share proven methods to reduce challenging sensory-related concerns and help you greatly enhance student achievement. Jenny will share highly effective techniques to bolster students' focus, attention, and overall functioning, offering practical insights rooted in current sensory processing knowledge and its impact on the brain. Discover how to accurately pinpoint the root causes behind these challenges and gain practical strategies to effectively address them.

You'll learn how to more effectively work with students who struggle with sensory integration and sensory processing disorder and help them find greater success at school.

Ten Key Benefits of Attending

1. Maximize Your Role as a School-Based Occupational Therapist Addressing Sensory Processing Challenges
   Learn a wealth of practical ways to improve students' attention, focus and function
2. Strengthen Your Clinical Observation Skills of Students With Sensory Processing Disorder
   Become more skilled at identifying the different subtypes of sensory processing disorder through your clinical observations, classroom observations … Receive highly practical evaluation tools and checklists
3. Learn Sensory Processing Strategies to Improve Student Engagement and Behavior
   Understand how sensory processing or other developmental factors, such as executive functioning deficits, may impact a student's behavior and their ability to focus and participate in the classroom
4. Improve Students' Sensory Processing Skills and Boost Their Confidence to Learn
   Understand the importance of interoception processing and how to help students become more self-aware and confident so they can better advocate for their own sensory needs in the classroom
5. Help Students Manage Their Sensory Experiences at School
   Students do better when they can self-regulate … Learn practical ways to teach and empower students to better understand their own sensory processing and when to practice specific self-regulation strategies
6. Hands-On Sensory Tools and Activities You Can Use Immediately
   Learn tried and true sensory integration techniques to easily incorporate throughout the school day … Learn practical accommodations to improve your students' attention, focus and concentration, helping them be more successful
7. Practical Ways to Measure Students' Progress in Developing Sensory Processing Skills
   Measure the effectiveness of your intervention strategies with easy-to-use documentation that helps you monitor students' growth and progress … Learn what to look for and how to use the information with colleagues
8. Powerful Intervention Strategies That Support Students With Sensory Processing Difficulties
   Boost your OT intervention strategies toolkit with tools, resources and ideas that will support better outcomes for students with sensory processing difficulties
9. Enhance Your Ability to Create Individualized Sensory Processing Plans
   Develop effective plans tailored to each student's unique needs, incorporating sensory techniques and strategies to promote academic success and confidence
10. Receive an Extensive Occupational Therapy Digital Resource Handbook
    Leave with an extensive occupational therapy digital resource handbook filled with detailed descriptions of all the sensory processing therapy strategies and resources presented in the seminar

Practical Strategies for Occupational Therapy Service Delivery ...

• Identify best ways to provide appropriate sensory processing strategies, accommodations or modifications
• Examine why and how sensory processing skills are essential for students to perform at an optimal level
• Discuss easy-to-implement classroom techniques to improve attention, focus and function
• Identify the subtle difference between sensory integration and sensory processing and how they impact school success
• Select proven strategies and approaches to addressing challenges related to sensory disorders
• New activities and approaches to improve sensory integration that can be used by teachers and support staff
• Select techniques to design and implement sensory-friendly classrooms and schools, promoting a positive and inclusive learning environment
• Apply strategies to enhance students' sensory awareness and self-regulation skills, leading to improved academic performance and behavior

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the seminar you will be able to:

• Recognize new and innovative strategies to support students with Sensory Processing difficulties
• Identify the lagging skills that are impacting a student's attention, focus and function at school, and what you can do in your role as an occupational therapist
• Select activities that will improve sensory processing and specific ways to improve carryover to the classroom and beyond

A Message From Your Seminar Leader

Dear Colleague:

As an occupational therapist specializing in sensory processing within school environments, I've noticed a growing emphasis on addressing the sensory needs of students. While there's a strong effort to manage these needs through familiar techniques such as point systems and clip charts, there's a crucial aspect missing – the consideration of students' physiological and emotional states. Are we doing all we can to ensure they have the necessary classroom support to navigate their sensory environment?

Current research highlights the significance of understanding these sensory and emotional aspects to create an environment conducive to learning. By focusing on these fundamental needs, we can provide students with the tools they require to thrive. During our time together, I will offer a fresh perspective by shifting our attention from management techniques to a deeper understanding of sensory processing. I'll share innovative strategies and activities aimed at improving sensory experiences for your students. We'll explore ideas for addressing these needs with teachers, paraprofessionals, and administrators, empowering you to create more sensory-friendly environments for all students.

My goal is for you to leave this one-day seminar invigorated and ready to return to your school with new insights into helping students with sensory processing challenges. With evidence-based solutions and a deeper understanding of sensory needs, you'll be better equipped to support students within your own educational setting. I'm excited about the opportunity to collaborate and share our experiences with one another!

Sincerely,
Jenny L. Clark, OTR/L

P.S. With new ideas and new lenses comes new energy! My goal is for you to leave with practical tools and resources you can immediately implement.

Who Should Attend

Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants and Education Teams Working With Students in Preschool-Grade 12

About BER Live Online Events

With the current health challenges, all BER in-person PD events are currently being presented in a Live Online format:

• Outstanding Instructors
  All programs are led by outstanding BER national trainers
• Extensive Resource Handbooks
  You'll have access to an extensive digital Resource Handbook before, during and after your seminar
• Highly Interactive
  You'll be able to ask questions in real time and interact with the instructor and other participants
• Program Guarantee
  As we have for 48 years, we guarantee the high quality of our programs. If you are not satisfied, we'll give you a 100% refund.

Special Benefits of Attending

Extensive Sensory Processing Digital Resource Handbook
You will receive an extensive digital resource handbook specifically designed for this seminar. Included in the handbook are:

• Practical, proven strategies you can use immediately with your students with sensory related challenges
• Reproducible forms to help improve your classroom observations, evaluation and data collection
• Highly useful sensory processing strategies and activities to improve student success
• Actionable tools and templates to help you develop effective sensory processing plans and strategies for your students
• Valuable resources featuring detailed descriptions of sensory processing strategies, techniques, and activities to support student learning

For in-person seminars, registrants will also receive a printed copy of the resource handbook as long as their registration is received in the BER office at least 15 calendar days before the event.

AOTA – CEUs
BER is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development (Approved Provider 6353). Full attendance at this program qualifies for .5 AOTA CEUs/5 Contact Hours per day of attendance. Educational level: Introductory; Category: Occupational Therapy Service Delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
You will be required to fully attend the program and complete a program evaluation and a learning outcomes assessment at the end.

For a time-ordered agenda for this event – Click Here

Financial Disclosure Statement for Jenny Clark, OTR/L
Presenter for the Bureau of Education & Research and receives honorarium compensation.
Presenter may also have a financial or non-financial interest in products or services mentioned at this seminar.

Semester Credit Option
Up to four graduate level professional development credits are available with an additional fee and completion of follow-up practicum activities. Details for direct enrollment with University of Massachusetts Global, a nonprofit affiliate, will be available at this program.

Meet Inservice Requirements
Participants of both the Live Online Seminar and those completing the Recorded Version online can receive a certificate of participation that may be used to verify five continuing education hours. State CEUs are available for both versions of the course. For specific details, visit www.ber.org/ceus.

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