Course Overview:

The Brain Connex Therapy Brain Development for Function course provides the foundation for professionals to understand the importance of brain development and how the implications of an underdeveloped nervous system can lead to impairments in a child’s ability to function and learn. In this course, the practitioner will learn the ‘Brain Connex Method’ to assessing brain under-development, and brain hemispheric imbalance, and learn techniques to improve connections in the brain that lead to improvements in functional skills for your clients. Brain development naturally occurs in a bottom-up fashion, followed by horizontal integration, and finally top down inhibition and control. Once the full development occurs, a child has full, intentional control over their movements, and their ability to regulate emotions. In this process, sensory systems integrate, motor skills develop, and executive function skills are developed. Recent research has demonstrated that underdevelopment in the brain is related to children’s trouble with learning, reading, sensory processing, motor coordination, and body awareness. When we use specific movements and sensory stimulation in treatment, we are able to re-connect and develop the brain to improve the child’s function.

The Brain Connex Therapy™ Brain Development for Function course explores:

• Understand the basics of neuroplasticity and how treatments can affect the brain at any age

• How to assess whether a child has underdevelopment within their brainstem and the role of the 4-step Brain Connex Therapy Method

• How to assess whether a child has an imbalance within their brain hemispheres

• How to incorporate specific exercise movements to improve hemispheric connectivity for improved function

• Explore research related to the topic and how it is used in treatment for functional outcomes

• How to assess and use sensory stimulation techniques to improve integration and processing

• Explore brain healthy lifestyle factors that can contribute to either positive or negative neuroplasticity

• How to incorporate use of the brain development program to use with client’s and help create home programs for clients

Learning Objectives: Brain Development for Function

1. Identify the difference between a bottom-up approach vs a top-down approach to brain development and how that is related to therapeutic applications with children.

2. Describe the Brain Connex Method to brain development and it’s relevance with the Pyramid of Development & Learning.

3. Describe the implications of brain underdevelopment and how that can affect motor systems, sensory systems, executive function skills, and ADLs.

4. Describe and demonstrate how lifestyle factors that affect the development of the brain both in a positive and negative fashion.

5. Identify typical and atypical movement patterns in infants and children.

6. Describe how sensory input and motor output drives development of the brain.

7. Describe how sequential brain development is the foundation for motor development, sensory integration, social skills, and cognitive learning.

8. Identify key reasons why a hemispheric imbalance is related to learning challenges and sensory processing issues.

9. Recall through module homework how to identify imbalances and use the recommend treatment techniques for proper integration.

10. Describe in module homework how to work with more challenging clients and adapt the therapeutic techniques in these cases.

11. Describe and develop strategies to incorporate Brain Connex Therapy Brain Development for Function course content into daily client and home practice.

Additional Professional Development Guidelines:

• Available in self-paced, virtual format with on-going enrollment

• Provider of PD: Brain Connex Therapy, LLC

• Contact: brainconnex@gmail.com

• Instructor: Kara Rice, MOT, OTR/L

• Financial and non-financial disclosures: Kara Rice MOT, OTR/L is paid for instructing this PD course.

• Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, OTA, PTA, Kinesiologist, Chiropractors, and other movement-based healthcare professionals

• Educational Level: intermediate

• Prerequisites: prior level of knowledge in pediatrics, basic neurology, and movement-based interventions recommended, although not required.

• PD Activity Description: Learn the foundation of treatment for developing the brain from the bottom-up using a neurological approach, for children with neuro-developmental disorders.

• Outline: Outline of material taught in each module can be found above.

• Instructional Methods: self-study virtual format includes homework and quizzes for completion.

• Cancellation Policies: we offer a full refund within 48 hours of purchase; otherwise due to the nature of digital format, no refunds will be given. Should the provider cancel the course, learner will receive a full refund.

• AOTA continuing education units (CEUs) and Contact Hours: TBD

• Special Needs Requests & Accommodations: please email brainconnex@gmail.com with any requests for accommodations.

• PD Activity Completion Requirements: learner must complete all sections of education, homework, and quizzes in order to complete the requirements for CEUs