Description:

This workshop will provide a basic overview of the eight sensory systems and how they impact our regulation and function. We will then integrate this knowledge to guide selection of versatile, accessible equipment and creation of therapeutic spaces to support a child’s nervous system for daily activities such as sleeping, eating, learning, playing, socializing, and more. Participants will walk away with ideas for low to no cost tools/strategies to support a child’s ability to meaningfully engage in everyday life.

Presenter:

Cassie Wilcox is an occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration therapy and integrative health practices. Cassie works with children and their caregivers (particularly parents and teachers) to support optimal quality of life in the home and/or community environments. Cassie uses play-based techniques and caregiver education to help reshape an over-taxed nervous system so that one may meaningfully engage in self-care, learning, motor, or social activities. Cassie takes a strong family-systems approach to her work and believes an empowered parent leads to a regulated child.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will gain a basic understanding of the sensory systems and how they impact regulation.

Participants will be able to identify at least three pieces of equipment that can be used to support a child’s just-right state of energy/emotion/behavior to match the activity at hand.

Parents will learn how to use what they already have in the home to support their child’s nervous system regulation.