The Whole Child Approach to Supporting the Developing Brain: A Model of Assessment & Treatment

The Whole-Child Approach to Supporting the Developing Brain: A model of assessment & treatment of children with social-emotional, behavioural, & academic difficulties

Tamara G. Soles, PhD & Miglena Grigorova, PhD

Course Description:

As clinicians, one of the most powerful and effective interventions we can implement involves helping parents and educators shift their lens from one of identifying "misbehavior" to one of supporting brain development. A child with even mild functional nervous system lags may experience serious behavioural, social-emotional, and/or learning difficulties. Understanding that 1) chronological age and brain maturity do not follow a linear relationship and 2) the interpersonal variability of maturation of various neural systems is sizable, would help clinicians formulate child-centered treatment plans that work.

This course will present an integrative neuropsychological model of normal child development that takes into account neurobiological, socio-environmental, family, and medical factors. Discussion will include topics such as sensory processing and sensory…