Webinar | The Impact of the Environment on Academic Success

Instructor Bio

Alexi Christensen, MA, OTR/L, and Marlee Olson, MA, OTR/L, met in graduate school at St. Catherine University, Minnesota, while pursuing their masters degrees in occupational therapy. They noticed they were passionate about working with children using a family-centered, holistic approach. Both MOTs have clinical experiences that span ages and environments, including public and charter schools, mental health facilities, autism clinics, outpatient services, teletherapy, inpatient hospitals, and acute care settings.

In November 2020, the duo combined their desires to help people in the community with their sensory processing and environmental modification expertise and started SENSE-ational Spaces. They use their occupational therapy lens to support parents, community organizations, and schools to foster development through education and creating sensory-friendly spaces. Their Minnesota business now extends to clients internationally.

Alexi and Marlee have presented nationally at various symposiums and conferences educating on environmental modification, sensory processing, and trauma-informed care, including ArizOTA, Minnesota School-based OT/PT Institute Symposium, Selective Mutism H.E.L.P. Summit, and other U.S. organizations and universities.

The Impact of the Environment on Academic Success

In this 1-hour webinar, the SENSE-ational Spaces team explains the importance of environment on a child’s participation and success within the academic setting. Attendees learn how to increase their ability to recognize and implement a variety of sensory strategies tailored to children’s specific needs within the academic setting to promote attention, regulation of arousal, and engagement.

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify the interconnection of sensory processing, regulation, and the relationship in early development and learning.
2. State how to create learning environments that help achieve optimal engagement and regulate the child’s emotional arousal level.
3. Identify tools and strategies in the school setting to help regulate arousal levels for optimal engagement in the academic setting.
4.List three reasons why children with sensory processing challenges may not engage in traditional or distance learning and identify environmental modifications to increase academic success.

Course Information

• Target Audience: introductory- to intermediate-level pediatric OTs, COTAs, SLPs, teachers, parents, and other pediatric professionals
• Course Instructor: Alexi Christensen, MA, OTR/L, and Marlee Olson, MA, OTR/L
• CE Broker course code: 20-1104218

Unit

0.1 AOTA CEU

Unit may be available for this webinar and may vary by country or institution. Please verify eligibility with the Sensational Brain.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

American Occupational Therapy Association Approved Provider
Sensational Brain LLC is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development (#8215). Course approval ID# 07990. This distance learning, independent format is offered at 0.1 CEUs, Introductory Level, OT Delivery Service. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval of a certification or other professional recognition.