The purpose of Sensory Steps - A Movement Intervention is to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurological disabilities move more effectively, learn better and improve social skills. The basic elements of all physical activity are space, time and energy. The program fosters the exploration of these three elements while improving the underlying skills that are necessary for functional movement. This is an interactive presentation. Workshop participants are directly involved in doing activities while they are learning about a simple method to evaluate motor deficits. They will acq
uire tools to help children improve motor control while fostering social cohesiveness, teamwork, and individual accountability. A number of different disciplines are intertwined in such a way that the strategies are easy to understand and can be used by others who are or will be working with children: educators, service providers, parents, families, and caregivers. Participants will leave the session with a greater understanding of how they can use movement to help children live richer and more functional lives.
Comfortable clothing is recommended.
Speaker
Ellen Kogan M.A. OTR/L
Ellen Kogan is a professional dance artist turned occupational therapist. She has had extensive involvement with movement and dance for over 30 years, performing and teaching worldwide. She holds MA's in Dance and OT and a certificate in Dance Therapy. In 2007 she created a movement program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurological disabilities to help them move more effectively, learn better and improve social skills. Sensory Steps - A Movement Intervention was presented in 2013 as part of the "Very Special Arts Program" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC where it was recognized for its relevance to arts and children with special needs and again in 2014 at the Young Child Expo and Conference in New York, NY.
