Strengths-Based Approach to Behavior | The Therapeutic Edge

On-Demand

Using Strengths-based Approaches to Behavior in Children

Digging Deeper to Improve Self-Regulation

We are no longer asking if it’s SENSORY or BEHAVIOR – We are digging deep to improve self-regulation.

Are you juggling behavioral outbursts during your sessions? By shifting your perspective and considering all behavior as communication, you can approach your sessions with confidence. Regulation, sensory coding, interoception, reflex integration, top-down or bottom-up processing, and decreased communication all affect a child’s behavior. In this self-paced and online course informed by the most recent and exciting research, you will learn to help increase students’ flexibility. Implement the techniques in this fun course and you’ll immediately improve your effectiveness, children’s participation, and therapeutic outcomes.

Cost

$197.00

*Our eCourses are hosted online on the Thinkific platform. Clicking the arrow above will redirect you to our course page in Thinkific. There you will be able to see the complete course description, learning objectives, policies, etc. It is also where you will complete checkout and enrollment.

Course Overview

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain that behavior is communication when a child is dysregulated.
Describe recent research connecting movement, sensory, and executive function to behavior and emotion in children.
Discuss the importance of movement to higher-level brain function and occupational performance.
Identify the difference between proactive and reactive responses to tantrums/meltdowns.
Discuss the impact of trauma on a child’s performance.
Identify how the ability to regulate during occupation is affected by retained reflexes and decreased complex movement patterns.
Define executive function and its impact on regulation in children of all ages.
Describe interoception and its relation to emotion and theory of mind.
Describe at least three fun and engaging activities that can be used immediately to improve the regulation of children.

This course is for you if...

You are feeling frustrated when your session plans get hijacked by a meltdown.
Your students have a tough time transitioning from the classroom or waiting room to the therapy room.
You have a child (or children) on your caseload labeled as ‘difficult’ or ‘tough.”
You often feel ‘stuck’ in your sessions.

This course was primarily designed for pediatric occupational therapists. However, other professionals working in pediatrics, such as speech-language and physical therapists may also find this course helpful.

This is an introductory course that explores the relationship between sensory processing and regulation and outward behaviors. There are no required prerequisites.

Course Features

A course workbook
Lifetime access to course materials
An entirely self-paced and online
4.5 hours of course videos and content

Continuing Education (CE) Info

This course is available for:

.45 AOTA CEUs

Meet Your Instructor

Cara Koscinski, OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Dr. Cara Koscinski is many things! She is the mother to two sons with autism, an occupational therapist, the original founder of The Pocket Occupational Therapist (now The Therapeutic Edge Collective), an author, educator, presenter, mentor, and more!

Dr. Koscinski has over 26 years of experience in the field of occupational therapy. She has written 8 books related to the field and created countless resources such as continuing education courses, therapy materials, handouts, and more.

Disclosures

Cara Koscinski is the founder of The Pocket Occupational Therapist (now The Therapeutic Edge Collective, owned by Brittni Winslow). She is also the author of several books shown in this presentation.

Cara is the parent of two sons with autism.

This course does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.

There is no external sponsor for this course.

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READY TO DIVE IN?

Gain more actionable knowledge as an OT.

TESTIMONIALS

Hear it from others.

I’ve been following The Pocket OT for a while now and wanted to let you know how helpful the website has been. It’s empowered me because I am in a rural area and need fun treatment ideas for our small team.

Jennifer, COTA

I felt burned out and wondered why I became an OT. After taking Cara’s course and mentoring program, I found my WHY again!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Kimberly J. Charlotte, NC

5/5 stars!

The Trauma-Informed Care course was absolutely amazing. I learned so much and can’t wait to use it.

Rebekah Schachner, OTD Student

I wanted to let you know I have attended some other Trauma related courses in the past, however, I think since yours is from the OT perspective, I found it to be much more informative and useful to implement in to future treatments. Thank you so much!

Kathryn Andersen, MOTR/L

I thought I knew what executive function was but after the master course, I am completely looking at the students on my caseload in a new way. It’s amazing how behavior and EF are related.

Tasha, Miami

Cara not only brought a plethora of knowledge to our community, but she was also able to talk to parents with a compassionate understanding of the challenges they face.

Dr. Emily Mike, OTD, LOTR

Assistant Professor
University of Louisiana Monroe Master of Occupational Therapy Program

Cara Koscinski is one of my favorite resources to share! She has such a passion for teaching and sharing her extensive knowledge about everything from sensory issues to everyday strategies that make life work. Cara’s an amazing expert with first-hand experience. She explains things in a way that anyone can understand, and her tips are always practical, compassionate, and helpful! I just LOVE her and her tips!

Shannon Penrod

Host of Autism Live
the #1 rated Autism Podcast

Cara uses real-life examples to solidify concepts. Her experience and practical tips will make a huge difference in my clinic. Also, her PASSION is contagious. I’ll be back for more. Thanks!

Julia R. OTA in CA