Course | Implementing Sensory Strategies that Work for All Students

Meet Your Instructors

Learn from two passionate CertifieD Occupational Therapy Assistants

They are two very passionate Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants who specialize in Sensory Integration and Primitive Reflex Integration.

After over 10 years of working with children in outpatient settings, they realized they wanted to bring their expertise to more families and therapists. With this mission in mind, they started the All Things Sensory Podcast, and have been creating in-depth trainings to help children with sensory challenges and retained primitive reflexes.

Their goal is to empower and educate families, caregivers, therapists, and educators to ultimately create strong, confident children!

They are so excited to have you join them!

Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists
Their passion for primitive reflexes

They became Certified Primitive Reflex Clinical Specialists (CPRCS) in 2023, although they have over 9 years of experience.

They have the expertise, team and resources to bring this information to you in a way that makes sense. They can’t wait to hear your success stories after taking this course and putting it into action. This course combines their 9+ years of experience in occupational therapy plus hours of continuing education to make it, in our opinions, one of the best resources for sensory processing, development and integration for infants and toddlers.

Rachel Harrington, COTA/L, CPRCS
Jessica Hill, COTA/L, CPRCS

Rachel Harrington
COTA/L, CPRCS

Rachel is a Pediatric Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who is dedicated to helping children with different abilities feel confident in their own skin. She holds her Autism Certificate, and is continuing her education in Handwriting Without Tears, Primitive Reflex Integration, Sensory Integration, and more! Rachel lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, two young children, and dog, and can be found outside hiking, playing games, and not taking life too seriously!

Jessica Hill
COTA/L, CPRCS

Jessica is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant who specializes in Pediatrics. She is passionate about helping children become healthy, happy, and confident members of society. She has training and experience in Primitive Reflex Integration, Sensory Integration, feeding, and parent training. Jessica and her son live in Boise, Idaho with their two crazy cats and enjoy hiking, swimming, and traveling!

Learn exactly how to implement functional therapeutic sensory strategies in the classroom to help your student(s) improve focus, mood, behavior, daily functioning skills, learning, and overall quality of life!

Why Is Understanding Sensory Challenges Essential to Every Student's Success?

1 in 6 children have sensory processing disorder, and up to 89% of children have at least one re tained primitive reflex.

With the rates of Sensory Processing Disorder and Retained Primitive Reflexes rising, we are seeing more and more school-aged children struggling in school and in their daily activities. General sensory difficulties can inhibit their learning, behavior, mood, and quality of life.

There is often a gap in understanding how sensory processing affects a student’s ability to be happily engaged in their classwork and create important social connections with their peers. And a gap in understanding how to implement sensory strategies for the entire classroom and for individual students!

Studies show that implementation of sensory activities in the classroom can promote overall sensory, motor, and educational development, which lays the vital foundation for future learning, healthy social lives, and motor skills development.

You’ll gain the knowledge and understanding of sensory processing challenges, sensory strategies for the whole classroom and individual student needs, primitive reflex integration, and executive functioning to support your student(s) or client’s development.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory Processing Disorder is when a person struggles with sensory input, like clothing, lighting, or sounds, to the point that it negatively affects their day-to-day activities.

Sensory Processing Disorder is when sensory needs severely impact daily functioning on a consistent basis. When a child can’t process the messages from the sensory world, they struggle with daily tasks. This includes daily tasks like bathing, using the bathroom, mealtime, self-feeding, dressing and transitions between tasks. It also impacts a child’s ability to learn in school and interact in social situations.

Working with your student(s) with different sensory activities can help them develop a healthy sensory system, which can potentially avoid the detrimental challenges that come with sensory processing disorder.

What Are Retained Primitive Reflexes?

We are all born with primitive reflexes! Developed in the womb, these involuntary movement patterns help newborns stay safe in the brand new, scary world they are experiencing!

These primitive reflexes do not stay forever; they should ‘integrate’, go away or mature, some around 12 months of age, some closer to two or three years old. When a primitive reflex integrates, it makes way for new, more mature movement patterns and higher-level learning to develop.

Oftentimes children don’t get the motor activities they need in order for reflexes to integrate. When primitive reflexes aren’t naturally integrated, they become ‘retained’, leading to anxiety, poor social skills, struggles in school, and more! Development may be hindered, and the infant may not gain higher-level skills.

What Happens When Sensory Challenges Go Unaddressed?

Students who are struggling with processing sensory input will have a harder time:
• Sitting Still During Class
• Focusing on Assignments
• Self-Regulating Behavior
• Social Skills with Classmates

Who Is This Training Designed For?

Educators
Preschool, elementary, middle, and high school educators.

Therapists
Therapists working in the school setting.

Other Professionals
Those who work with children within the school setting, such as paraeducators.

Here's What You Get

AOTA CEUs
This digital course is a 15 module training with 12 hours of video, and 12 contact hours / 1.2 aota ceus (plus bonuses!), along with clear instructions and functional strategies to implement into your school immediately to assist students’ function, learning, and daily success

Module 1
Sensory Processing in the Classroom
Comprehensive overview about the Pyramid of Learning, sensory processing, Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and the subtypes of SPD. Review the 8 sensory systems and their impact on student learning and development.

Module 2
Sensory in the Classroom Activity Toolbox
Sensory-based activity ideas and demonstrations that assist with sensory processing needs for all students. We walk you through product and non-product sensory based activities for every sensory system!

Module 3
Sensory Breaks
Learn all about what they are, why they are important and how to easily implement them into your classroom daily routine for the whole class and for specific students with certain sensory needs. We also include sensory break activity cards to use with easy to use templates!

Module 4
Primitive Reflexes
Understand what primitive reflexes are, why they are essential for childhood development, what happens when they are not integrated, and how retained primitive reflexes impact learning & development in the classroom.

Module 5
Primitive Reflex Strategies for the Classroom
Learn accommodations and strategies for students who exhibit challenges related to retained primitive reflexes and utilize a toolbox of primitive reflex integration activities, breaks and routines to implement into the classroom.

Module 6
Executive Functioning
Learn all about executive functioning skills; foundational and advanced executive functioning skills like emotional regulation, attention and organization and why we need to understand these skills in order to help our students succeed.

Module 7
Sensory vs Behavior
Deeply understand the difference between sensory challenges vs. behavioral challenges and learn strategies to help with both. We’ll help you evaluate if a student is simply acting out, or if they are struggling with specific sensory challenges in the classroom.

Module 8
Communicating Effectively with Students
The way we talk to a sensory student may be different than the way we talk to a neurotypical student. Learn how to talk and communicate effectively with sensory students and those with sensory processing challenges.

Module 9
Classroom Accommodations
Implement classroom accommodations for specific scenarios to facilitate a calm body, improving focus and attention, and general accommodations for a successful sensory classroom for all students.

Module 10
Building a Sensory Friendly Classroom
You may need to switch some things up to make your classroom more sensory friendly for everyone to thrive! Learn exactly what to include in your classroom for a sensory friendly classroom for ALL students’ needs and for all 8 sensory systems.

Module 11
Transitions
Why are transitions so hard for children and what can we do about it? Learn all about common transitions in the classroom and sensory strategies and tips to implement in the classroom before, during and after transitions occur to make them as seamless as possible for your student(s).

Module 12
Strategies for the Classroom
Learn some important tips, tricks, and strategies to help your classroom! Understanding strategies for your classroom to help with biological needs, distractions, task avoidance, multi-sensory learning, redirection, aggression, virtual learning, and Social Emotional Learning.

Module 13
Strategies for PE and Electives/Specials
So much of a sensory student’s needs are physical, it’s important to make sure Physical Education is accommodating to sensory students! We provide tips and ideas for seamlessly integrating sensory strategies into P.E. and other electives/specials.

Module 14
Therapeutic Practice in the School Setting
This module is specifically designed to support OT practitioners in the school setting. Learn how to best support your students and teachers on their sensory journey. This module includes treatment planning, tips for teletherapy, and resources for IEPs and goal writing.

Module 15
Case Studies
Seeing things in action really helps information stick. This is why we include a bonus case study to help you see these strategies in action! We include case studies with specific example classroom situations and what strategies can be utilized to solve them.

Bonus!
Regulation Strategies for You!
As educators it’s common to put students’ needs above your own, but it’s hard to pour from an empty glass! This module encourages educators to meet their sensory needs first, provides you strategies how exactly to do that, and tips on how to avoid burnout!

Learning Outcomes

Upon comple tion of this course, participants should be able to:

1. Identify 3 areas of sensory over-responsivity that can potentially affect a student’s ability to successfully complete academic tasks
2. State 2 regulation strategies that students can use in the classroom in order to improve focus during classwork.
3. List 4 accommodations that can be utilized in the classroom setting to support students who are exhibiting academic challenges related to retained primitive reflexes.
4. Identify 2 areas of executive functioning that impact a student’s ability to complete school related tasks.
5. State 3 tools that professionals can implement when working with a student who struggles with aggression in the classroom.
6. List 4 signs that a student is struggling with sensory processing as it relates to academic tasks, and list 1 strategy/accommodation for each.
7. Identify 3 ways that professionals can create sensory friendly, inclusive classrooms to support their students’ academic success.

Why Educators & Therapists Love This Course

Improve Student Outcomes By Addressing Sensory Challenges
You might have students in your classroom who struggle with sensory processing without knowing it! By providing sensory strategies to the entire class, it will help every student:
• Focus on Tasks
• Increasing Time in Seat
• Better Social Skills with Classmates
• Better Mood and Behavior

Makes Learning Fun!
They believe that learning is more impactful when it’s fun! This course provides you with the tools to implement new activities & strategies in a positive way to engage your students.

Understanding The ‘Why’
They’re not here to diagnose or put a band-aid on a “problem”. Just straight forward information as to WHY your students may be struggling and engaging, actionable strategies that will help.

No More Guessing
With video demonstrations and clear descriptions, we take the guesswork out of helping you and your students experience success. We want to make this as easy as possible for you, the students, and their parents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can We Buy Multiple Licenses For Our School District?
Yes, absolutely! They offer bulk discounting for any purchase of 5 or more licenses.

How Long Does A License Last For?
A license to the course lasts for 1 year from the time of purchase.

How Is This Course Administered?
This course is administered via online videos and worksheet downloads that you are able to access once you have purchased!

What Is The Refund Policy For This Course?
Like all Harkla products, this falls under our lifetime guarantee. This basically means that if at any time you aren’t satisfied with the course, we’ll refund you right away.

Will I Have Access To The Instructors For The Course?
They offer the ability to book a time slot with the instructors for an extra fee, but you are able to comment within courses and get answers to those comments as you go from the instructors.
They also are very responsive on customer support and social media to connect with our community.

Is This Course Beneficial For Students Without Disabilities?
Yes! They designed this course with every student in mind, because everyone has a sensory system and can benefit from incorporating sensory-based learning strategies in the classroom! When we provide an inclusive environment that fosters multi-sensory learning, students retain more information and can focus better during instruction.

Can Parents Take This Course?
Although this course was designed for therapists and educators, there are a plethora of resources beneficial for parents as well! Especially for those parents homeschooling their children.

Is This Course Research-Based?
Yes! Thye include the evidence-based articles we used to create this course, as well as the research we use as pediatric occupational therapy assistants that support our treatment interventions. You can find the resources and references in the last module of this course.

How Long is This Course?
Approximately 12 hours that you can go through and revisit at your own pace!

What Age Range Is This Course Best Suited For?
Preschool through High School aged students.

How Do I Get My Certification For CEUs?
In order to earn your AOTA CEU certificate you must complete the course evaluation and pass the post-test with 80% accuracy. Then you'll be able to download and print your certificate for continuing education!

Is There A Payment Plan For The Course?
Yes! If you select Shop Pay or PayPal while checking out, you will have the option to select a pay over time plan.

Lifetime Guarantee

Lifetime money-back commitment

They don't mess around with their commitment. Unless you are 100% satisfied, they aren't satisfied either. They're a company that truly cares about you and will answer any question or concerns you have.

This means that if you are not absolutely happy with your product, they will not only refund you without question, they will cover the return shipping. There's no reason you should pay for a product you aren't happy with.

Unit

Unit may be available for this course and may vary by country or institution. Please verify eligibility with the Harkla.