Praxis Disorders and Intervention Strategies: Seminar Recap

Events & Conferences, Motor & Movement, Sensory, , , ,

A new season of Therapro’s Saturday Seminar Series is off and running—and it started strong! On Saturday, August 23rd, Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, an esteemed occupational therapist, educator, author, and researcher, presented an in-depth session titled “Praxis Disorders and Intervention.”

Dr. May-Benson currently serves as the Executive Director of the SPIRAL Foundation (Sensory Processing Institute for Research and Learning), a nonprofit dedicated to advancing knowledge in the field of sensory integration and praxis. Her presentation offered attendees a compelling and informative overview of this complex area of practice. The seminar felt like a “fall tune-up,” preparing therapists and educators to reengage with the foundational concepts of praxis just as the academic year gets underway.

During the seminar, Dr. May-Benson clearly and succinctly reviewed the primary components of praxis, describing it as a multifaceted process involving a sequence of sub-processes—each engaging various parts of the brain. She explained how praxis dysfunction impacts ideation, motor planning, sequencing, and execution, and emphasized the importance of identifying these breakdowns in order to provide effective intervention.

In addition to outlining clinical signs and observable behaviors associated with praxis challenges, she presented a toolbox of intervention strategies designed to be immediately applicable across home, school, and clinical environments. A major emphasis was placed on child-directed activity, which she identified as a critical component of successful intervention. According to Dr. May-Benson, when children are not invested in the therapeutic activity, the session loses meaning—and with it, motivation and therapeutic effectiveness. Her approach reinforced the importance of aligning goals and activities with a child’s interests to promote engagement and motor planning success.

The seminar drew a diverse group of attendees, including occupational therapists, educators, parents, and even a grandparent. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants appreciated the balance of theory and practical strategies, as well as Dr. May-Benson’s ability to make such a nuanced topic accessible and actionable.

Therapro was proud to host this outstanding presentation and extends its sincere thanks to Dr. May-Benson for sharing her time and expertise. Her passion for the field of occupational therapy and deep understanding of praxis intervention left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

Check out  these reviews:

“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

Therapro at Ohio OT/PT School-Based Practice Institute

Events & Conferences

The 22nd Annual Ohio Institute for OT/PT School-Based Practice conference in Columbus on August 11-12 was an exhilarating 2 days of incredible workshops with distinguished presenters. A record-breaking attendance of 700 therapists attended this superb event. The exhibitors included 28 vendors, one of which was Therapro! For the 7th consecutive year as the Therapro rep, I thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm and positivity of the conference planning committee co-chairs, Mary Kay Eastman, PT, MS and Molly Dodge, OTR/L. These women and their tireless team planned another stellar conference. Throughout the conference, Holly Bartholomew, conference coordinator, kept things running smoothly behind the scenes.

This year, Therapro authors, Bhanu Raghavan, MS, OTR/L and Ginger McDonald, OTR/L were included on the roster of speakers. Their dynamic presentation featured their publication, “Self-Care with Flair! A Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Self-Care Skills to Children with Disabilities.” They presented their unique method for increasing independence with self-care skills, teaching the skills of dressing, grooming, toilet training, and eating by using a uniform approach with pictures and rhyming while employing visual, verbal, and tactile/kinesthetic cues.

The gregarious Ohio therapists spent time lingering at the Therapro exhibit area, sharing their opinions about products and creative uses for them in the classroom setting. They returned this year with endorsement of products they purchased at last year’s conference, including Wobbledeck, Crayon Rocks, and Fanta Color Jr. Many of Therapro’s new items, including WriteRight pencil grip Yogarilla Cards, and Stretch and Match Geoboard, won rave reviews.

It was a whirlwind 2 days in Columbus! I am eager to learn what the OT/PT Institute will be planning for next year. Thank you for a terrific conference! I look forward to returning to Columbus again next August.

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L

August 20, 2014
22_otpt_conference

Bullying: Understanding the Basics

Events & Conferences, , ,

On May 17, 2014, Therapro concluded its Spring Saturday Seminar Series with a compelling presentation by Iris Leigh, CAGS, OTR/L, Assistant Clinical Professor at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. Her seminar, titled “Bullying: Understanding the Basics,” offered valuable perspectives on identifying and addressing bullying behaviors in educational settings.​

Understanding the Basics: Defining Bullying and the Core Components

Iris Leigh began the session with an interactive anti-bullying quiz, sparking thoughtful discussion among attendees. She emphasized that bullying is a deliberate “power game” characterized by three key elements:​

  • Intent to Harm: The bully aims to cause physical or emotional distress.
  • Power Imbalance: The bully holds more power, whether physical, social, or psychological, over the victim.
  • Repetition: The harmful behavior occurs repeatedly over time.​

Such behaviors often manifest during unstructured school times, including lunch, recess, bathroom breaks, and bus rides.​

The Broader Impact of Bullying

A critical takeaway from the seminar was the recognition that bullying affects not only the direct victim but also bystanders and the overall school environment. Witnesses to bullying can experience feelings of fear, helplessness, and anxiety, highlighting the need for comprehensive prevention strategies.​

Strategies for Prevention and Support

Iris Leigh provided attendees with practical tools to support children who are targeted by or witness bullying behaviors. While understanding the basics of bullying is key, she stressed that preventing bullying is a collective responsibility, requiring active involvement from educators, therapists, professionals, and caregivers. Implementing clear policies, fostering open communication, and promoting inclusive activities are essential steps in creating a safe and supportive environment for all students.​

Attendees, including teachers and occupational therapists, praised the seminar for its practical strategies and insightful resources:​

“Very well put together – easy strategies.”

“Applies to work…and life.”

“Lots of good resource info – this lady knows her stuff!”​

For more information and resources related to this seminar, visit Therapro’s official website.

Filomena Connor, MS, OTR/L

May 17, 2014