Course Description:

This course will provide physical and occupational therapists with a deeper understanding of the complex multi-system involvement of the brain in reflex integration, movement, learning, and daily functioning. The instructor will use innovative and multi-sensory approaches to help participants relate the information to their everyday practice. The first day of the course will focus on the functional aspects of neuroanatomy. The second day will focus on the sensory systems with a heavy focus on the visual system. The visual system is often overlooked by both occupational and physical therapists and the instructor strives to provide therapists with a new perspective to demonstrate the importance of incorporating visual dysfunction in treatment. The visual system has an enormous impact on the precise functioning of the vestibular system and dysfunction can result in poor performance in a variety of areas. Participants will review real life cases through video to enhance understanding of the material. At the end of this two-day course, therapists will have a proficient functional knowledge of neuroanatomy and the visualvestibular systems in the dysfunctional pediatric population, and immediately utilize this knowledge to augment their current practice.

At the conclusion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Understand impact of poor reflex integration and assess reflex maturation in the pediatric population.
• Describe the functions of the cerebellum and basal ganglia and their importance in learning development, and dysfunction.
• Discuss the importance of the vestibular-visual systems and their involvement in dysfunction in the pediatric population.
• Utilize current research to enhance practice.
• Integrate the concepts discussed and apply them to client treatment.

What Others are Saying:

"Janine was a remarkable instructor who spoke very well to real-life scenarios and reviewed complex neuroanatomy in a clear fashion with greater application to real practice. I would highly recommend this course to all therapists." - Kristin Tortora, PT

"Janine took some information that could be  "dry " (anatomy review) and concrete and made it interesting and stimulating. Wow - my head was spinning (with good vestibular control!) in such a GREAT way. I loved this course. "

"Great presentation - worth the wait! Good background information/review of systems to build on more complex ideas. Loved the video clips. Very memorable. Thank you! "

"Janine was a dynamic speaker-very knowledgeable, engaging and funny. Provided wonderful examples (videos of various children) to support information. Intuitive to audience's needs. Booklet was very helpful and will serve as a good resource. Great conference. Thank you!"

"Janine really made the class exciting and fun. She brought the brain to life through diagrams and video case studies. The practical information that she gave during the course was refreshing and challenging. This was a great course for someone who has been in the field for a while and needs a neuro refresher! I hope she does a "level 2" course soon! She kept me engaged for the entire course!" Wendy Harron

"This course is a must for any pediatric therapist. The instructor is very knowledgeable and great to follow. You walk away with a valuable functional neuroanatomy review and fresh insight related to its application with pediatric populations. This course helped me to better understand some of my clinical observations and taught me to look a little closer at some very important aspects applicable to treating a large variety of children. Janine is a superstar and the course is fantastic!" Lisa Simon