Creating an Inclusive Classroom: Empowering Educators to Celebrate Neurodiversity in the Classroom

According to research, 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent. Despite this staggering number classrooms are still built for the neurotypical child. In this talk, Dr. Allie Ticktin will dive into these statistics and what it means for the future of education. She will provide actionable strategies that educators can take with them into their classroom to create an environment that allows every child to reach their highest potential. She will empower educators to re-think how they approach teaching and push them to be better understand all children and embrace neurodiversity.

Attendee results:

• Deeper understanding of child development.
• Understand the importance of self-regulation to learn effectively.
• Deeper understanding of how to use their own therapeutic use of self to manage a classroom and teach effectively.
• Actionable strategies to take back to the classroom in order to create a more inclusive environment.

Understanding Sensory in the Classroom

One in six children are thought to have sensory needs. I would argue that there is at least one child in every classroom, if not more, who has sensory needs. Yet, educators are not given any education on the sensory system and how to support these students in the classroom. Because of this, educators are often left to dr. google or using items they have seen elsewhere for every child (like a wiggle seat). In this informative talk, Dr. Allie demystifies the sensory system and breaks it down in a way that educators can understand. She then provides actionable items that do not cost anything and are easy implement in a classroom. She will empower teachers to shift their thinking and make simple changes that lead to more effective learning for all students.

Attendee results:

• Understanding of the eight senses and sensory processing disorder.
• Understand the importance of self-regulation as a foundation to learning.
• Deeper understanding of how to use their own therapeutic use of self to manage a classroom and teach effectively.
• Actionable strategies to take back to the classroom in order to create a more sensory friendly environment.
• A chance to workshop their current classroom and given feedback by Allie.

Understanding the Sensory System and Its Importance in Early Childhood Development and Social-Emotional Regulation

The first stage is development is the sensorimotor stage of development. What does this mean? That in a child’s earliest, and arguably most critical years for brain development, a child is learning by moving and engaging their senses. It is also in these early years when it is critical to set up a child’s foundation for success – this includes teaching them beginning very early tools to self-regulate. In this fun and informative talk, Dr. Allie will dive deep into the sensory system and discuss how it relates to a child’s development and their social-emotional regulation. The audience will leave with a better understanding of development as well as action items that they can bring home to begin building a strong foundation for their own children or the children they work with as professionals.

Attendee results:

• Understanding of the eight senses and sensory processing disorder.
• Understand the importance of self-regulation as a foundation to learning.
• Tools to support a child’s self-regulation – including language and environmental modifications.

The eight senses: What they are and why engaging in sensory play is critical for a child’s development

From the moment a baby is born they immediately begin learning about their new world via their senses – all 8 of them. We are taught that we have only 5 senses, but the reality is we have 8. Our three hidden senses: proprioception, vestibular and interoception are a mystery to most, but they are just as important as the big 5 for development. Development all starts with sensory play. In order to celebrate each milestone throughout a little one’s life from learning to crawl, walk, climb the jungle gym, read and eventually walk across the stage with a diploma in hand they first need to play. When a child spends time playing and therefore engaging all 8 senses, they are building new neural connections in their brain and getting ready for the next milestone. Especially now when kids rarely go running barefoot into puddles, up a tree or through a living room fort, it is so important that we provide them the opportunities to engage their sensory system. But what does that play look like and how do we engage these three mystery senses? Dr. Allie Ticktin will dive into this during this informative talk while providing a deeper understanding of what sensory play truly is and why it should be considered just as important as learning to read.

Play as a Child’s Occupation and Foundation for Future Success in the Age of Technology

Kids are losing the ability to play and by that, I mean they are losing the ability to create, imagine and explore. This is happening because we no longer give our kids the space to do so. Instead, toy rooms are filled with dogs that bark, trucks that drive, and dolls that cry. When the dog barks by the push of a button, then our little ones don't have to make that noise themselves. When a truck drives, our little ones don’t need to use their body to push the truck.. These screens and electronic toys play for our kids instead of them playing with the toys. They don’t have to come up with the idea of how to play with them because there already is a set way to engage built into the toy. Filling your playroom with fewer toys that are open-ended will allow your little one to play with each toy in many ways, giving them the space to create – a skill that will go on with them through adulthood as they solve problems in the workplace or start an innovative business – but that all starts with play. In this talk, Allie will dive deeper into this issue and how we can fight it in the age of screens and growing technology. She will provide actionable advice that is realistic in 2023 when screens are prevalent and will be in a child’s life.