Full Course Description
Integrating Primitive Reflexes for Optimal Function: Neurological Approaches from Early Intervention to Adolescence
Program Information
Objectives
- Determine how primitive reflexes and approaches to managing symptoms improve function.
- Investigate the neurological connections to inform clinical treatment interventions.
- Evaluate the signs of retained primitive reflexes and the clinical implications to develop appropriate treatment plans and intervention.
- Analyze case studies of children presenting with primitive reflexes in a clinical setting to increase ability to detect during assessment and evaluation.
- Perform treatment strategies to work through reflexive patterns to improve treatment outcomes.
- Measure the influence of the visual system for symptom management of the primitive reflex patterns to incorporate in treatment interventions.
- Apply patient strategy techniques, such as history, imaging, movement patterns to improve client engagement.
Outline
Neurological Overview
- Primitive Reflex – Need to know
- From “infancy to classroom”
- Affects in development and learning
- Tone qualities and influencers
- Positions challenges and alterations for optimal function
- “Behavior” – or is it non-integrated reflexes
- Nervous System Anatomy and Brain Loops – Sensory In, Motor Out
- Reticular activating system – how underlying wiring of CNS interprets sensory information coming in and motor output
- Extension and Flexion patterns
- Influence on facilitation and inhibition
- Brainstem
- Cranial nerve stimulation
- Vagus nerve connection to withdrawal reflexes
- Midbrain
- Mammal brain/survival brain – present moment
- Positive short commands to redirect function
- Cortex
- Higher level skills
- Integration through sensory reception
From Function to Dysfunction of Primitive Reflexes
- Causes of retention and obligatory reflex demonstration
- Under-developed central nervous system
- Traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury, concussion and sensory disorders
- Social influences
- Trauma and the Sympathetic Nervous System activation
- Reflex demonstration resulting from acute stress and trauma
- Triggers
- Sensory filters – reticular activating system
- Sensory disorders and primitive reflex connection
- Moro and hypersensitivity
- Sensory-based motor disorders and bilateral integration
- Primitive Reflexes influence on challenges with toileting, eating, sleeping, and tantrums (TEST)
Primitive Reflex Treatment Strategies
- Activities to address function:
- Handwriting, dressing, eating
- Positioning and external aids (including brain rhythm)
- Visual alignment – power reduction and directional integration of primitive reflex patterns
- Increasing sensory awareness and processing to attend to movement patterns
- Influencing the brain rhythm
- Treatments
- Chart of primitive reflexes with treatment suggestions
- Conclusion
- Next steps
- Moving from obligatory to voluntary control
Target Audience
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Early Interventionist
Copyright :
11/17/2020
Primitive Reflexes: The Foundation for Function – Case Study
Program Information
Objectives
- Analyze primitive reflexes affecting function through case examples
- Assess the neurological connections to address challenges with self-regulation
- Demonstrate treatment strategies involving self-regulation and mindfulness techniques to decrease the activation of reflexive patterns
Outline
- Case examples
- Activation of primitive reflexes
- How primitive reflexes connect to Self-Regulation
- Neurological pathways for executive function, sensory processing, and emotional regulation
- Case study
- History
- Evaluation
- Treatment
- The 9 Targets
- Contextual Sensory Intervention
- Results
Target Audience
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Early Interventionist
Copyright :
09/28/2020
Address Primitive Reflexes and Promote Functional Skills – Case Study
Program Information
Objectives
- Apply principles of an understanding of the primitive reflex function and integration.
- Differentiate non-effective and effective treatments for pediatric patients.
- Build functional knowledge about how to change spastic patterns to promote voluntary motion.
Outline
Evaluation – Look at the patient functionally to see the nervous system
- Purpose for primitive reflexes
Causes for primitive reflex obligatory demonstration
- How the brain relates information for survival
Case study
History
Evaluation
Treatment – Cranial nerve sensory pathways used for rewiring
- Use of lobes for neuroplasticity advancement
- How to naturally decrease spasticity effectively
- Progress of the patient
- Results
Target Audience
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Early Interventionist
Copyright :
09/12/2020
Primitive Reflexes: A Deeper Look into the Nervous System Pathways
Program Information
Objectives
- Determine the differences between primitive reflexes, response reactions and equilibrium responses.
- Distinguish the area of the nervous system involved in reflexes and responses.
- Extrapolate the functional relationships to development, orientation and engagement of the nervous system in integration techniques.
Outline
A Higher-Level Look
- Why this information is needed
- Elements of reflex influence
- Functional relationships of reflexes and higher level skills
Primitive Reflexes
- Tips on evaluation of residual primitive reflexes
- Primitive reflexes and sensory influence
Righting Response
- Alignment
- Vision and proprioception
Equilibrium Responses
- Orientation and protection
- Movement and upright posture control
Target Audience
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Educator
- Early Interventionist
Copyright :
05/08/2020
COVID-19: Addressing Social and Collective Trauma in Children, Adolescents and their Families
Program Information
Objectives
- Demonstrate how social and collective trauma impacts children and their families 
- Assess the impact of social and collective trauma for children who have a history of complex trauma, presenting with hyper-activity, hypo-activity, aggressiveness, self-stimulatory, issues of attachment, and inattentiveness
- Implement techniques such as use of routine, sensory-based strategies, mindfulness, activation of the Vagus nerve, and respiratory-based techniques to improve comfort and security
Outline
Social and Collective Trauma
- Including those who have a history of complex trauma
- Impact on children, adolescents and their caregivers 
- Effects of social isolation and resulting sensory deprivation 
Treatment Approaches
- Use of routine
- Sensory-based strategies
- Mindfulness
- Activation of the Vagus nerve
- Respiratory-based techniques
Planning for the Future…Moving Beyond Trauma
- Interactive plans, goals, and vision boards
- Autobiographies and video diaries 
Target Audience
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- Psychotherapists
- Therapists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Teachers
- School Guidance Counselors
- Case Managers
- School Administrators
- Educational Paraprofessionals
- Nurses
- Speech and Language Pathologists
- Occupational Therapists
- Other helping professionals who work with children
Copyright :
03/31/2020