Self-regulation is influenced by a combination of individual and external factors including biology, skills, motivation, caregiver support, and environmental context. Sensory processing is only a piece of this complex process. These factors all interact with one another to support self-regulation and create opportunities for intervention.

This workshop will provide parents and caregivers with information and resources about evidence-based strategies and interventions to support their child’s ability to regulate emotions and behaviors.

Presenters:

Carlynn Higbie is an Education Consultant with the Special Education Team at the WI Department of Public Instruction as well as an occupational therapist who has been practicing for over 40 years in both school-based and outpatient pediatric settings. She has supported students with educational disabilities both as a practitioner and a trainer/coach/educator for other educators. Carlynn’s experience in conducting training and consulting with school districts has helped many school-based therapists and educators improve evidence-based practices such as service provision in the least restrictive environment, and the use of a collective process for IEP development and participation-based IEP goals.

Eva Kubinski, MS, School Administration Consultant, WI DPI Eva has worked as an educator and trainer for the past 30 years. She provides training and support in the areas of specially designed physical education; assessment and comprehensive evaluations; working with medical professionals; pre-service educator preparation program reviews, cross-categorical licensing, and the unique needs of American Indian students with IEPs. Eva is the program consultant for the areas of: Orthopedic Impairment (OI), Other Health Impairment (OHI), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Prior to joining the Department of Public Instruction, Eva worked for ten years at a federally funded technical assistance center serving six midwest states and Bureau of Indian Education schools as a Trainer and as an Assistant Director. She also has worked in several Wisconsin school districts as a School Psychologist.

Michelle Silverman is an Education Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction with a focus on occupational therapy, physical therapy and assistive technology. She has 30 years of clinical and supervisory experience in schools, pediatric clinics, and at the university level. Michelle led students and programming as the director of the Assistive Technology and Accessible Design Certificate program at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Michelle presents at the state and national level on topics related to interdisciplinary practice, advocacy, clinical practice and guiding districts and therapists towards implementing best practice as it relates to occupational therapy, physical therapy and assistive technology in schools.

Organization: Wisconsin DPI

Learning Objectives:

Parents and caregivers will understand a broad definition of self-regulation and the variables associated with a child’s ability to regulate emotions and behaviors.

Parents and caregivers will be able to explain evidence related to the effectiveness of many traditional “sensory integration” strategies as well as other cognitive-behavioral approaches to supporting self-regulation.

Information will be provided to assist parents and caregivers in advocating for the use of a multifaceted approach to assisting their child with self-regulation.