Date: July 9, 23, 30, August 6, 2026
From 2 to 3.30pm US ET (New York Time Zone)
Description: Sleep is not the absence of activity, it is an active, dynamic, neurobiological process essential for regulation, memory integration, emotional processing, immune functioning, and identity consolidation. Yet for many of our clients, sleep is fragmented, hypervigilant, dysregulated, or absent altogether. This advanced 4-part clinical series examine sleep as a foundational occupational function through the lens of neuroscience, sensory processing, trauma, attachment, and psychopathology. Participants will explore the neurobiology of sleep-wake regulation, stages of sleep, dreaming, circadian systems, and autonomic shifts, while simultaneously building therapeutic strategies that can be implemented in practice. Rather than relegating intervention to a final session, this series integrates clinical application into every module.
What Makes This Series Different?
- Sleep framed as occupation, not hygiene only
- Intervention embedded into every neurobiological concept
- Trauma and sensory and attachment integrated
- Developmental lens across lifespan
- Clinical reasoning emphasized
Participants will leave with both conceptual depth and practical frameworks to assess and intervene in sleep disturbances across pediatric and adult populations.
Outline / Agenda:
Session 1 – July 9, 2026
What Is Sleep? The Neurobiology of Regulation and the Architecture of Rest
- Sleep as an active Neurological state
- Stages of Sleep
- Clinical Integration
- Therapeutic Strategies
Session 2 – July 23, 2026
When Sleep Breaks Down: Diagnoses, Dysregulation, and Sensory Contributions
- Sleep Disorders
- Sensory and occupational factors
- Red flags and Sleep logs
- Structured protocols and environmental modifications
Session 3 – July 30, 2026
Trauma, Attachment, and the Night Brain
- Trauma, Rhythms, and Sleep architecture
- Dreaming and Trauma Brain
- Fear States and Safety
- Co-regulation, attachment and safety rituals
Session 4 – August 6, 2026
Sleep Across the Lifespan: Identity, Memory, and Restoration
- Sleep, neuroplasticity and maturity
- Dreams and Meaning
- Clinical Integration
- Sleep supportive daily routines and building sleep confidence
Learning Objectives:
Session 1: Participants will be able to analyze the neurobiological mechanisms underlying sleep regulation (including circadian rhythms, sleep pressure, and autonomic shifts) and apply this analysis to occupational therapy assessment of sleep as a functional occupation.
Session 2: Participants will be able to differentiate common sleep disorders and sensory-based sleep disruptions and integrate this clinical reasoning into occupation-centered intervention planning.
Session 3: Participants will be able to examine the impact of trauma and attachment disruptions on sleep architecture and design trauma-informed, regulation-based sleep interventions within occupational therapy practice.
Session 4: Participants will be able to synthesize knowledge of sleep neurobiology, emotional regulation, and developmental changes to develop individualized, occupation-based sleep intervention plans across the lifespan.
Assessment: Feedback Form and 15 questions
Research Articles:
- Franken, P., Dijk, DJ. Sleep and circadian rhythmicity as entangled processes serving homeostasis. Rev. Neurosci.25, 43–59 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-023-00764-z
- Wu, A. Updates and confounding factors in delayed sleep–wake phase disorder. Sleep Biol. Rhythms21, 279–287 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41105-023-00454-4
- Alfano, C. A. (2024). The 4C model of healthy sleep for childhood interpersonal trauma. Children and Youth Services Review, 157, 107412.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107412
- Gilmore, G. R., Smith, A. L., Dickinson, F. B., Crosswell, A. D., Mendes, W. B., & Whitehurst, L. N. (2024). Sleep/wake regularity influences how stress shape executive function. Frontiers in Sleep, 3, 1359723. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsle.2024.1359723
Certificate of attendance will be provided for everyone, Occupational Therapists will obtain AOTA CE certificate. Pending Approval
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.
Special Needs Accommodation: We invite anyone who may need a specific accommodation to contact [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment is due in full upon registration. Contact [email protected] for any questions in this regard.
- Cancellations up to 30 days prior: $25 administration fee
- Cancellations up to 2 weeks prior: 25% fee
- Cancellations within 2 weeks of event: 50% fee
For questions, please email [email protected]
Target Audience: Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physical Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Educators
Educational Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Instructional Methods: PowerPoint, Group Discussion, Video
Contact Hours: 6 hours
Fee: $245
Maude and Charl Le Roux own the Maude Le Roux Academy and thus the proceeds of this course will cover operational expenses as well as provide income for Maude and Charl Le Roux.