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Course Description

Learning Objectives

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Intervention Strategies for Sensory, Motor and Sensory-based Behavioural Components Across the Lifespan
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Participants will learn to:

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  1. Identify how Autism Spectrum Disorder is identified and current thinking about the neurophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder according to the DSM V.

  2. Understand sensory-based problems common within the Autism Spectrum Disorder population. Describe common Sensory Integrative dysfunctions and appropriate intervention strategies.

  3. Identify learning, communication and sensory characteristics of individuals with autism spectrum disorder; 

  4. Describe how sensory integration impacts learning, communication, sensory processing, self regulation, oral motor, fine motor and gross motor control. 

  5. Describe a sensory modulation disorder (SMD), its behaviors and characteristics. Describe how it impacts function and appropriate intervention strategies that can be used within the home, classroom, and community. 

  6. Identify characteristics of a sensory modulation disorder, a discrimination disorder or a motor planning disorder and select several appropriate treatment activities for each disorder.

  7. Identify the behaviors associated with and difference between a modulation disorder, discrimination disorder, and motor planning difficulties.Select and differentiate between treatment activities needed to remediate a child with a sensory modulation disorder, discrimination disorder or a motor planning disorder.

  8. Discuss how discrimination disorders (e.g. tactile-proprioceptive) impacts oral motor, fine motor, and gross motor control.Identify intervention strategies to improve the functional performance in each area.

  9. Identify the sensory base to motor planning difficulties, identify the stage of functional breakdown and intervention strategies.

  10. Understand principles of neuroplasticity and how these principles apply to making changes in function in both the very young child and in individuals as they age.

  11. Understand how to effectively use exercise to impact neuroplasticity, self-regulation, function and the aging process.

  12. Address select and apply treatment techniques from sensory integration, communication, behavioral, neuro-developmental, and developmental theories.

 

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Is It Sensory or Is It Behavior? Changing Behaviours to Improve Functional Performance and Participation

Participants will learn to:

 

  1. Use the flow chart.

  2. Define and analyze a child’s behavior.

  3. Determine the primary and secondary reinforcement to the child’s behavior.

  4. Identify behaviors that are in nature, determine the core problems and appropriate intervention strategies.

  5. Identify behaviors that are in nature, determine the core problems, and appropriate intervention strategies.

  6. Differentiate sensory-based problems from other related problems.

  7. Understand how to use and the in analyzing the child’s behavior and planning an intervention program.

  8. Learn strategies to develop new behaviors, diminish unwanted behaviors, identify appropriate reinforcers, while using positive behavioral strategies.

  9. Design treatment strategies that incorporate the child’s sensory, motor, behavioral and communication needs.

  10. Describe how therapist collaborates with the client, family, and other service providers to establish meaningful goals, maximize intervention of all services, and to realize dramatic functional improvements.

  11. Be able to design and implement holistic, comprehensive, integrated treatment programs through combining treatment techniques from sensory integration, developmental, motor learning, teaching strategies, behavioral intervention and other frames of reference.

  12. Appreciate the importance of how to use nonverbal and verbal communication, behavioral intervention strategies, and therapeutic relationships more effectively with clients.

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