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GET A HANDLE^® (GAH) on Neurodevelopmental Differences
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Through lecture, discussions, videos, case studies and group activities, participants will learn the fundamentals of the pioneering HANDLE^® approach to identifying and treating the underlying causes of many neurodevelopmental disorders. The HANDLE^® observational guidelines and therapeutic activities taught in this course will provide educators, rehabilitation professionals, and parents tools to work together in efficient treatment of such disorders as ADD/ADHD, Autism/ Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Dyslexia, Aphasia, Acquired Brain Injury, and also many disorders currently deemed psychological in nature. Each participant will gain new insights into familiar problems and leave with many ideas for low-cost implementation at any site. HANDLE^®’s holistic approach includes movement, nutrition, cognition, motivation, environmental concerns, etc.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The objectives of this course are to foster in participants the ability to:

1. Understand how neurodevelopmental functions interact either to facilitate or to impair learning and interpersonal behaviors
2. Learn methods with which to identify neurodevelopmental systems that require therapeutic intervention
3. Understand how social and academic behaviors and developmental histories provide information about neurodevelopmental dysfunctions
4. Recognize factors involved in processing sensory input in order for a response to occur
5. Begin to view neurodevelopment from a model of interactive and interdependent functioning, which model enables a nonjudgmental approach to individual differences
6. Be able to recognize subtle signs of stress, in order to individualize task challenges appropriately
7. Become familiar with an array of HANDLE^® activities that may be used with groups or one-on-one to enhance neurodevelopment at any age

COURSE SCHEDULE
Day 1

• 9am-12:30pm
  • Brief overview of the Brain and Nervous System(s) with emphasis on neuroplasticity throughout the lifespan.
  • Brief definition of common syndromes including ADD/ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome, Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Dyslexia/Learning Disabilities, Traumatic Brian Injury, and other syndromes of interest to the group.
  • In depth explanation of the HANDLE^® systems model of interactive and interdependent functions within an individual, between the individual and the environment and among people of diverse systems
  • Introduction to Gentle Enhancement® as a treatment modality and general philosophy
• Purpose:
  • To acquaint participants with some components of the brain and nervous system(s), their structure and function and their role the dysfunctions associated with the commonly diagnosed disorders.
  • To provide an understanding in the areas of neurodevelopmental that are responsible for allowing normal learning and behaviors to occur and how the HANDLE^® model explains interactive and inter-related neurodevelopmental functions.
  • To encourage a paradigm shift to seeing behaviors as guideposts to underlying disorders rather than as problems that need masking or controlling.
  • To gain appreciation for the many ways stress affects the nervous systems’ functioning.
• 1:30-4:00pm
• Continuation of HANDLE^® systems model of interactive and interdependent function and its relationship to research in neuroscience.
• Environmental factors (including nutrition) that affect learning and other behaviors.
• Discussion of specific neurodevelopmental challenges: What, Why and How the following foundational senses and systems impact learning and behavior: Tactility, Olfaction, Vestibular Functions including Muscle Tone, Proprioception, and Kinesthesia.
• Discussion of Attentional Priorities and their affect on behaviors and learning.
• Incorporation of HANDLE^® therapeutic activities specific to the systems discussed
• Brief discussion of the role of compensatory measures in rehabilitation
• Purpose:
  • To further the understanding of the HANDLE^® model and to explore how one can determine the roots of the symptoms being exhibited.
  • To understand the role of nutrition in supporting neurodevelopment, and which specific elements may be particularly influential with regards to some particular syndromes or root problems.
  • To introduce fundamental HANDLE^® therapies and practices of observational assessment of basic neurodevelopmental subsystems and their interactive function.

Day 2

• 9-12:30pm
  • Continuation of deliberation on observation of behaviors: What, Why and How specifically related to Hearing, Vision and Visual Functions and their relationship to foundational systems and to higher level functions.
  • The importance of Gentle Enhancement® as a therapeutic approach and a general approach to life and learning.
  • Activities and Recommendations for enhancing neurodevelopment across the lifespan, specifically related to Hearing, Vision and efficiency of function
• Purpose:
  • To reinforce concepts and techniques related to observation skills, in order to provide a firmer understanding of appropriate interventions
  • To discuss the role of language and cognitive processes in development, how to enhance these functions through work with lower level functions, and when to reduce linguistic input to allow development of automatic/efficient supportive functions.
  • To learn some activities that enhance the neurodevelopmental functions under discussion.
  • To understand the importance of reducing stress in order to strengthen neural functioning
• 1:30- 4:00 pm
  • Continuation of deliberation on observation of behaviors: What, Why and How specifically related to Differentiation, Lateralization and Interhemispheric Integration and how these processing modalities affect behavior and learning
  • Discussion of response time as a factor in behavior and learning
  • Activities and Recommendations for enhancing neurodevelopment across the lifespan (continued)
  • Discussion of complementary therapies available in the community
• Purpose:
  • To appreciate the role of primary reflexes in behaviors and learning, and in the overall efficiency of the body-brain systems
  • To understand the relative importance of body-brain lateralization and its relationship to integrated functions
  • To become aware of how sensory-motor irregularities affect response time
  • To introduce specific activities and recommendations for addressing neurodevelopmental dysfunction.
  • To become acquainted with other therapies available in the community that may be complementary to HANDLE^® activities.