Professional
Development Programs
proudly presents:
Developing
Internal and External Structures
for Thera-Play
Mary
Kawar, MS, OTR/L
6
Contact Hours
This experiential workshop is divided into two parts.
Part I focuses on primary movement patterns (PMPs), also
known as reflexes, and how to integrate them into mature
movement strategies. Primary movement patterns provide
the primitive structural foundation for attention, balance,
coordination, and cognitive development. The majority
of infants today, with and without identified issues,
spend excessive time in supported sitting and standing.
Limited floor time precludes the opportunity to fully
develop internal structural alignment and control. Consequentially,
these children are walking before having fully integrated
the PMPs and without achieving optimal development of
the deep postural muscles and the extremities for age
appropriate skills. Research has documented that residual
primitive reflex expression compromises cognitive as
well as physical abilities. Topics will include reflex
testing procedures, specific types of dysfunction that
emerge when these reflexes are not integrated, and ideas
for transitioning from reflex integration exercises to
playful engagement.
Part II provides innovative techniques for therapeutic
adaptation of the home, the playground, the school, and
the clinic. The objective is to help therapists expand
thera-play strategies which expand sensory processing opportunities
so as to enhance physical, social, and cognitive development.
Ideas for resource materials, fabrication, space evaluation,
and simple structural modifications will be provided.
This course is offered for .6 AOTA CEUs
Objectives: Participants will be able to
1.
Demonstrate testing procedures for 15 primitive & postural
reflexes
2. Describe two or more types of dysfunction that interfere
with skill acquisition related to 5 or more non-integrated
primary movement (reflex) patterns
3. Create a purposeful, fun activity that transcends a reflex exercise & that
can be graded for various levels of complexity
4. Tie 2 different, safe knots and describe how to utilize them in any
environment
