Sensory Processing, Self-Regulation & BEST® Strategies
This two-day interactive workshop will equip service providers with practical Sensory-Based Interventions (SBIs) that can be added to their ‘toolbox’ of effective mental health interventions when working and supporting children and youth. The effective implementation of SBIs is important as they have been shown to be helpful in de-escalating challenging behaviours while emphasizing a holistic and person-centred approach (Barbic et al., 2019).
The first day of the workshop will discuss our current understanding of self-regulation including latest research findings and how neurobiological correlates of stress affect our behaviours. New perspectives in interpreting the root cause of behaviours and the reasons why health care service providers need to adopt trauma informed, strengths-based and neurodiversity-affirming practices will also be explored. Recommended screenings, assessements and outcome measures, with a focus on embedding solution-focused communication principles, will be identified.
The second day of the workshop will highlight the presenter’s BEST (Body, Emotional, Sensory and Thinking) evidence-based strategies framework. The framework will be explored in detail and you will have the opportunity to consider how to develop an intervention or support plan to help your clients in self-regulating as well as engaging and participating in daily routines within the practice context that you work in. The BEST® Strategies Framework will be explored in depth through a combination of teaching, video presentations, demonstrations, ongoing interactions with workshop participants and relevant case studies.