Understanding Developmental Handwriting Challenges
Thank you for your interest in this training.
This training is only available as private, in-house workshops and aim to provide an understanding of the foundational skills required for handwriting to develop, how to perform and interpret assessment data to inform interventions, and to explore a range of fun, engaging ways to develop the skills needed for our tamariki to thrive.
One or two-day interactive workshops
Please contact us to register your interest
The aim of this workshop is to provide an understanding of the foundational skills required for handwriting to develop, how to perform and interpret assessment data to inform interventions, and to explore a range of fun, engaging ways to develop the skills needed for our tamariki to thrive.
Handwriting is a complex task, involving much more than just fine motor skills and a tripod grasp. Many learners are entering school without the foundational skills needed for handwriting, such as gross motor stability, visual skills, and visual memory, resulting in frustrated learners who just need a bit more time, and the right approach for a few more developmental steps to unfold before starting handwriting. Some learners can take years to develop the skills and may need some extra individualised help along the way. With limited access to occupational therapists in the classroom, this training will provide participants all they need to know to provide a robust assessment of handwriting readiness and foundational skills, as well as interventions which can be used to support development of the skills for primary and intermediate aged learners.
This workshop will suit educational professionals such as teachers, RTLB, and teacher aids, as well as therapists such as occupational therapists or speech and language therapists.
Delivered by Elen Nathan, Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Sensory Integration Practitioner from The Playful Place, Elen has specialised in neurodiversity, autism, sensory processing differences, dyspraxia, and behaviour support planning, and has a deep understanding of child development, particularly social-emotional and sensory motor development.
With practical knowledge of the classroom environment working in and alongside schools for over a decade to support diverse learners access the curriculum, Elen is also a Mum to 2 wonderful boys with 2 very different sensory-motor systems. Elen has a passion for practical, family friendly and classroom friendly strategies that are simple to implement and fun & engaging for the learners.
Intended Learning Outcomes
This training will cover:
Day 1: Foundational Skills for Handwriting
Prewriting skills needed before holding a pencil, including sensory awareness and body awareness.
Gross motor, fine motor, visual and cognitive skills needed for handwriting.
Pencil grasps and stages of development.
Day 2: Screening Tools & Intervention.
An in depth look at 1 screening tool and 1 standardised assessment to be used to inform intervention or when referral on may be needed.
Developing assessment skills for participants including when to screen and when to assess, observation skills, and mini screens such as screening visual-motor skills, muscle strength and sensory processing.
Interventions.
Creative activities to develop pre-writing skills
Creative activities to develop handwriting skills
Strategies to work with the reluctant writer.
When to move away from handwriting and towards technology supports.
As stated above, attendees can book either the day one workshop or, both day one and day two, and it is possible to do the Day One training and complete the 2nd day of training at a later stage - contact faye@grow.co.nz for more details.
What others have said about Elen's presentations
"I had no idea handwriting was this complex for kids, I wish I knew this years ago" Rachel, RTLB
"Elen is a fantastic speaker who kept me interested and engaged the whole time" Kim, Psychologist
"Elen was a down to earth presenter who had a large amount of knowledge, but also got the intricacies of working with students who have learning difficulties." Tania, Teacher
"I enjoyed the content and Elen is an engaging person whose delivery of the course content is easy to understand and grasp, ie relatable and not too "jargonised ! " Hazel, Speech Language Therapist
"Very well organised, very experienced, and honest about what she had tried herself that had worked and not worked." Sharon, Special Education Advisor
Who Should Attend
This workshop is suitable for Primary and Intermediate School Teachers, Teacher Aides, Speech and Language Therapists (to support communication assessments), RTLB’s, SENCO’s, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists and Counsellors. Also, possibly those working in the ECE sector.
The course is hands-on and practical and will give participants direct skills and tools to use straight away.
NOTE - If your organisation is interested in having Elen present face-face as a private workshop to your team, please contact Faye Johnson for more information.
Elen's Other Workshops
Understanding Sensory Needs in the Classroom
An Introduction to sensory processing, and how to support individuals effectively.
Sensory processing difficulties are very real, though often hidden or confusing. As a teacher, teacher aide, RTLB, Speech and Language Therapist, SENCO, OT, Psychologist or counsellor, if you feel like typical strategies are not enough, or feel there is a bit more to the concerns you are seeing at school, this day will help you to explore those concerns further and respond to sensory needs in an appropriate and meaningful way.
Visit the Understanding Sensory Needs workshop website for more information
LEGO-Therapy Facilitator Training
LEGO-Based therapy is an evidence based social skills program developed for people on the Autism Spectrum. It is an excellent therapy model for clinicians and professionals with existing skills and knowledge in group theory, clinical reasoning and Autism.
This workshop is ideal for people working with individuals on the autism spectrum who want to set up and facilitate LEGO-Based Therapy groups: Psychologists, Counsellors, Teachers, Teacher Aides, RTLB's, Speech and Language Therapists, clinical and allied staff, key workers, SENCOs and occupational therapists.
Visit the LEGO-Based Therapy Facilitator Training website for more information
Therapeutic Use of LEGO®
This Therapeutic Use of LEGO® workshop builds upon the above mentioned LEGO®-Based Therapy Facilitator Training by delving into the broader applications of LEGO® for developing social and emotional skills in tamariki and young adults.
This includes support for individuals with language processing difficulties, learning differences, autism, anxiety, trauma backgrounds, and family therapy applications.
The following peak bodies and organisations recognise that the training we offer is of a high quality, evidence based and relevant for their members CPD.
About the Presenter: Elen Nathan
Elen is a NZ registered Occupational Therapist in Napier and is a qualified Sensory Integration Practitioner (Ayres Sensory Integration). With 20 years’ experience in NZ and abroad working with children and adults who have diverse needs, she has specialised in supporting autistic people which has led her to work in peak body organisations including Autism New Zealand, The National Autistic Society (UK) and Autism Victoria (AUS).
Elen is passionate about working with neuro-diverse children to build their self-esteem and self- worth through understanding themselves better, the intrinsic strengths they have, and the gifts they have to offer the world.
As the Mum of 2 busy young boys, they have taught her that often children come with their own plan and need an understanding team in their corner coaching them through life's challenges.
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CONTACT FAYE
For further details, please contact:
e: faye@grow.co.nz
p: 027 607 3000
Contact Grow
83a Waghorne Street
Ahuriri
Napier 4110
e: info@grow.co.nz
p: 021 751 932
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
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