Description

In today’s classrooms and therapy settings, educators and clinicians are increasingly encountering children who struggle with attention, self-regulation, and creativity, challenges that often trace back to early sensory foundations. This two-day intensive workshop takes participants on a deeper exploration of the visual and vestibular systems, the “hidden engines” that drive balance, orientation, spatial understanding, and ultimately, higher-level cognitive and social functioning. Through a clear bridge between theory, neuroscience, and practical application, participants will discover how the integration of these systems supports visualization, imagination, and creative thinking, laying the groundwork for executive functions such as planning, organization, working memory, and flexible problem-solving.

Designed for intermediate to advanced educators and therapists, this workshop translates complex neurodevelopmental science into immediately usable strategies for both private practice and school-based environments. Attendees will leave with a renewed understanding of how sensory processing underpins learning and behavior — and with practical tools to enhance engagement, adaptability, and creativity in every child they serve.

Outline / Agenda

Day 1:

9.00 to 10.30am                   The Vestibular System

Foundation for Perception and Movement

10.30 to 11.00am                Morning Break

11.00 to 12.30pm                The Visual System

Beyond Sight to Perception

12.30 to 1.30pm                  Lunch

1.30 to 3.00pm                     Visual–Vestibular Integration

 The Dance Between Systems

3.00 to 3.30pm                     Afternoon Break

3.30 to 5.00pm                     Integration to Function

From Sensory Systems to Praxi

Day 2:

9.00 to 10.30am                   Visualization

The Bridge from Perception to Imagination                  

10.30 to 11.00am                Morning Break

11.00 to 12.30pm                Imagination

The Meeting Point of Emotion, Body, and Mind

12.30 to 1.30pm                  Lunch

1.30 to 3.00pm                     Creativity and Cognitive Integration

Academic Implications, problem-solving and reasoning

3.00 to 3.30pm                     Afternoon Break

3.30 to 5.00pm                     Executive Function

The Master Integrator

Learning Objectives:

Session 1 – The Vestibular System: Foundation for Perception and Movement

Objective:
Participants will be able to describe the neurophysiological structure and function of the vestibular system and identify at least three ways vestibular processing influences body awareness, postural control, and attention  in children across developmental stages.

Session 2 – The Visual System: From Reception to Perception

Objective:
Participants will be able to differentiate between the dorsal (“where”) and ventral (“what”) visual pathways and analyze how disruptions in visual-spatial processing affect visual-motor coordination, spatial reasoning, and academic learning skills.

Session 3 – The Visual–Vestibular Dance: Integration in Motion

Objective:
Participants will be able to explain the interdependence of the visual and vestibular systems and apply at least ten clinical observations or activity-based techniques to evaluate and support co-regulation between these systems in therapy or classroom contexts.

Session 4 – From Sensory Integration to Praxis

Objective:
Participants will be able to link visual–vestibular integration to the development of praxis by identifying and designing interventions that enhance ideation, sequencing, and execution through sensory–motor play and spatial exploration.

Session 5 – Visualization: Building Internal Images

Objective:
Participants will be able to define visualization as a neurocognitive function and implement at least ten intervention strategies that promote mental imagery, spatial awareness, and working memory through sensory and movement-based learning experiences.

Session 6 – Imagination: The Birthplace of Creativity

Objective:
Participants will be able to analyze the developmental progression from sensory exploration to imaginative and symbolic thought and apply evidence-based strategies to foster imaginative play, flexible thinking, and generative problem-solving through sensory and perceptual experiences.

Session 7 – Creativity and Cognitive Integration

Objective:
Participants will be able to examine how sensory and cognitive systems interact to support flexible, creative problem-solving and apply strategies that bridge movement, visualization, and higher-order reasoning to support learning and innovation in children.

Session 8 – Executive Function: The Master Integrator

Objective:
Participants will be able to identify key executive function components (planning, organization, attention, working memory, and self-monitoring) and develop sensory–motor and visual–vestibular-based interventions that strengthen executive functioning in school and clinical environments.

Details

Provider Name: The Maude Le Roux Academy

Presenter: Maude Le Roux, OTR/L, SIPT, ADHD-RSP, DIR Champion and Expert Training Leader

Bio: Maude Le Roux is a global trainer in multiple methodologies and a mentor to therapists from multidisciplinary teams. She opened her practice, A Total Approach in Glen Mills, PA, USA in 2001. Maude started her training career in 2007 and opened her online academy in 2019. She has designed the Developmental Pathways Model (DPM), which she applies to her own unique assessment and intervention protocol for major diagnosis such as Dyspraxia, ADHD and Executive Functions, Autism, Reading and Writing Disorders, and Trauma and Attachment. Maude served 9 years on the Board of Directors for ATTACh and currently serves on their Advisory Board. She also serves on the Advisory Board for LSWorks (Neuralign program). She is a co-author of two books and more recently wrote a chapter on Trauma and the Body in “Healing Connections” which launched in September 2024. Maude received an award for “Continued child advocacy” through the ATTACh organization in September 2024. She also received the Champion Award through ICDL in November 2024. Maude has a “whole child” approach to care and intervention and equipping the child, while empowering the parent is at the core of who she is as a clinician and trainer.

Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Educators

Educational Level: Intermediary to Advanced

Instructional Methods: PowerPoint, Group Discussion, Video

Contact Hours: 12 hours