Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Help is on the way for those who work with toddlers and preschoolers or who have them of their own. This webinar is designed to offer practical sensory-based strategies to improve your child’s ability to function in natural environments during everyday routines. Tools for Tots offer a variety of sensory safe tools which enrich sensory experiences for young children whose nervous systems are challenged (e.g. sensory processing disorder, autism spectrum disorder, or learning disorder). However, using these strategies will encourage optimal development in all young children, even those who are neuro typical. Updates in the latest research on sensory integration and sensory processing will be discussed. Characteristics of the different types of sensory processing disorder will be identified. Use these sensory tools in naturally occurring daily routines in your child’s home, childcare center, early intervention program or preschool. When the question is asked, “Is it sensory or behavior?” reframe it by asking, “Are there sensory issues driving the behavior?” Topics include Busy Bees, Fumbling Tots and more! Treatment videos and case studies will be shared. Fee includes the Tools for Tots book. Dress comfortably and be prepared to feel how movement can affect alertness!

​NOTE: Susan Swindeman OTR/L and Maureen Kane -Wineland PhD, OT/L are co-authors of the books Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers™, and Tools for Infants: Sensory Based Strategies for Parents, Caregivers and Early Intervention Providers™ along with Diana Henry, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA. Susan and Maureen are internationally recognized speakers on the topics of sensory processing disorder, sensory integration and sensory-based strategies. Their books have been translated in German and Turkish and are pending translation in Brazilian Portuguese.

Susan Swindeman, OTR/L

Susan Swindeman OTR/L is a registered occupational therapist and the founder and owner of Wee Care Therapy in Dyer, Indiana. Susan has been a pediatric occupational therapist since graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1984. She is certified in the administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and trained in neurodevelopmental treatment. She is also certified in the Interactive Metronome. Susan is recognized for her work in identifying and treating children with sensory processing disorders. She was a faculty speaker for the SPD Foundation. Susan may be contacted through email weecare@weecaretherapy.com, Facebook at Susan Swindeman or Wee Care Therapy or Instagram and Twitter @susanswindeman or @weecaretherapy.

Maureen Kane, Wineland PhD, OT/L

Maureen Kane -Wineland PhD, OT/L is a co-owner of Rehab Dynamics in Toledo, Ohio. Maureen has been working with young children for over 30 years in a variety of capacities. She developed an expertise in addressing the needs of children with sensory processing disorders, as well as those with difficulties relating and engaging, using both sensory integration and DIR®/Floortime™ approaches. Maureen is SIPT certified and a PLAY Project Home Consultant. Maureen received her PhD. in special education/educational psychology in 2002 and examined the effects of prenatal drug exposure on sensory processing capacities. Contact her through her website at toolsforinfants.com, or through Facebook at Tools for Infants: Sensory Based Strategies or Tools for Tots.

Course Outcomes

• Demonstrate a general understanding of sensory integration theory.
• Identify characteristics of sensory processing disorder.
• Learn practical sensory-based strategies to support young children.
• Discover how to imbed ‘sensory safe’ activities into daily routines.

Program Flow

DAY 1

• 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing
• 9:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Updates in Research and Terminology
• 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm: ​Characteristics of Patterns and Subtypes of Sensory Processing Disorder(Case Studies and Sensory Based Routines in the Natural Environment)

DAY 2

• 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Characteristics of Patterns and Subtypes of Sensory Processing Disorder- Continued (Including Case Studies and Sensory-Based Routines in Natural Environments)
• 10:30 pm – 11:00 pm: Wrap Up / Questions & Answers