A new season of Therapro’s Saturday Seminar Series is off and running! On Saturday, August 23rd Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, esteemed educator, author, and researcher spoke at Therapro on “Praxis Disorders and Intervention.” Dr. May-Benson is the Executive Director of the SPIRAL Foundation (Sensory Processing Institute for Research and Learning). This seminar provided an informative view on a complex topic. It almost felt like a fall tune-up! She clearly and succinctly reviewed the primary components of praxis, identified behaviors that are indicative of praxis dysfunction, and identified intervention strategies for praxis dysfunction.
Dr. May-Benson described praxis as a multifaceted “process” with sub-processes, involving the whole brain. Consequently, assessment and treatment of praxis dysfunction is a challenge. Dr. May-Benson provided a toolbox of intervention strategies with an emphasis on the importance of child-directed activity; without investment in a treatment activity by the child, treatment will not be meaningful, motivating, or effective for the child.
The attendees included OTs, several educators, parents and a grandparent. Across the board, comments about the seminar were all outstanding and included the following:
“Very informative. A lot of information presented in thoughtful manner.”
“Good information and gave me a better understanding of praxis disorders”
“Information was broken down in a very clear & helpful way.”
“Great information – helpful to get fuller picture of components of praxis & great ideas for interventions.”
Thank you, Teresa!
Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L
August 23, 2014