Every Motor Event Is A Sensory Event First: Anxiety, Self-Regulation and Postural Control

Overview

The nature of the paediatric rehabilitation caseload has changed in the last decade. Many clients now present for physical therapy with sensory processing and emotional self-regulation challenges as well as postural control and gross motor deficits. The research is beginning to inform us of the inter-relationship between sensory processing, self-regulation, and postural control. Also, it is now recognized that self-regulation is critical for learning new motor skills. This creates a challenge for physical therapists: How do we integrate this research using practical strategies that support the goals of the child and family?

This online course provides you with an overview of the interactive nature of sensory processing, emotional self-regulation and postural control in typical children and how this becomes disrupted in children with motor and sensory challenges. The impact of stress and anxiety on sensory processing and balance is explored with a brief discussion regarding the nature of developmental trauma.
Finally, motor and sensory treatment strategies that can be clinically useful in physical therapy will be presented as well as practical applications of trauma-informed practice principles.

Here's a short video overview

Learning objectives

On completion of this online course, the participant will be able to:

1. Discuss commonalities of the literature regarding postural control in 3 different clinical populations.
2. Discuss the typical development of emotional self-regulation and list the difficulties encountered by children with motor and sensory challenges.
3. Explain the inter-relationship between sensory processing, emotional regulation and postural control in children with motor and sensory challenges.
4. Recognize 5 behavioural signs and 5 physical signs of the stress response.
5. Identify the role of alignment in mature postural control and emotional regulation.
6. Define developmental trauma and discuss its impact on postural control.
7. Label 5 basic principles of trauma-informed practice.
8. Understand the clinical application of these concepts through case studies.

Audience

This course is intended for Physical and Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, therapy assistants, social workers and teachers who work with children with sensory and motor challenges.