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Come join the kidsFIRST Team to help you gain a better understanding of sensory integration and the impact it has on the overall development of children.
Our focus is on providing parents and educators with strategies and the tools needed to help them better support children through their stages of development using a multi-disciplinary approach.





  • Understanding Sensory Integration: Early Years

    Anouk Kordek – BA Applied Science
    OT, BA of Applied Science (Occupational Therapy)
    Read more →

    Understanding Sensory Integration: Early Years

    This presentation looks at the importance of the development of the sensory systems from the time of conception all the way through the early childhood developmental years. It identifies possible signs of sensory dysfunction and aims to help provide parents with helpful tips and strategies of play activities that are a necessity in the early stages of a child’s life.
    For more information about Anouk Kordek, please click here.





  • Anxiety and Sensory Integration

    Dr. Amy Bailey – Clinical Psychologist
    D.Clin.Psy., C.Psychol., B.Sc(Hons), AFBPsS
    Nadia Herb – Occupational Therapist, Sensory Integration Specialist
    BSc. OT, SIPT-Cert
    Read more →

    Anxiety and Sensory Integration

    In this presentation we explore the link between Sensory Processing difficulties and Anxiety. Outlining the similarities and differences as well as intervention strategies for parents, teachers and professionals.

    For more information about Dr. Amy Bailey, please click here.
    For more information about Nadia Herb, please click here.





  • Learning to Move and Moving to Learn

    Nishad Sayyed – Pediatric Physiotherapist and Sensory Integration Specialist
    BSc. OT, SIPT-Cert
    Kaajal Jina- Speech and Language Therapist
    BA Speech Therapy and Audiology
    Read more →

    Learning to Move and Moving to Learn

    Movement is essential for brain development and hence for the learning process. Learning to move and moving to learn is an integral part of a child’s development and hence it is important to ensure that the process is ongoing. The presentation will focus on how this is interlinked and how parents and teachers can incorporate movement strategies into daily routines to improve overall development in children.

    For more information about Nishad Sayyed, please click here.
    For more information about Kaajal Jina, please click here.





  • Feeding and Picky Eaters

    Michelle Tolan – Speech and Language Therapist
    BSC Speech Pathology, HCPC
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    Feeding and Picky Eaters

    This presentation considers the “typical” swallowing pattern for children and considers the impact of sensory difficulties on the child’s eating and drinking and identifies strategies for parents to utilize to help overcome these difficulties.
    For more information about Michelle Tolan, please click here.





  • Sensory Strategies for the Home

    Ruth Williams – Occupational Therapist
    Dip COT OTR
    Kelly-Ann de Silva – Speech and Language Pathologist
    PGDipSpSCI, BASLP
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    Sensory Strategies for the Home

    Identifying our own sensory needs and strategies to better understand our children. Highlighting the challenges of children with sensory processing issues and ways to help them meet their needs in the home environment.

    For more information about Ruth Williams, please click here.
    For more information about Kelly-Ann de Silva, please click here.





  • Facilitating Playfulness

    Claire Whitehead – Senior Speech and Language Therapist
    Bsc SLP, UCT
    Natalie Reed – Occupational Therapist
    BOT (HONS)
    Read more →

    Facilitating Playfulness

    Presenting the concept of play and playfulness, from defining concepts and exploring aspects such as the function, meaning and different forms of play to touching on the various constraints that can impact on a child’s ability to engage in meaningful play. Through this interactive presentation, parents and educators will be given guidance from a Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist on how to facilitate playfulness in their interactions with the children in their care. Helpful tips and strategies will be given to promote play that addresses areas requiring support while maintaining the fun, intrinsically-motivating element that is the essence of play.

    For more information about Claire Whitehead, please click here.
    For more information about Natalie Reed, please click here.

   





  • Understanding Sensory Integration: School Years

    Elizabeth Beggs – Psychologist
    MA Psychology, BA (Hon), Registered Psychologist HPCSA
    Nadia Herb – Occupational Therapist, Sensory Integration Specialist
    BSc. OT, SIPT-Cert
    Read more →

    Understanding Sensory Integration: School Years

    School years are vital in developing the sensory systems that underpin so much of our development. We explore ways in which to stimulate the sensory systems best in a school setting as well as identify where we may be missing important opportunities for stimulation.
    For more information about Elizabeth Beggs, please click here.
    For more information about Nadia Herb, please click here.





  • Anxiety and Sensory Integration

    Dr. Amy Bailey – Clinical Psychologist
    D.Clin.Psy., C.Psychol., B.Sc(Hons), AFBPsS
    Nadia Herb – Occupational Therapist, Sensory Integration Specialist
    BSc. OT, SIPT-Cert
    Read more →

    Anxiety and Sensory Integration

    In this presentation we explore the link between Sensory Processing difficulties and Anxiety. Outlining the similarities and differences as well as intervention strategies for parents, teachers and professionals.

    For more information about Dr. Amy Bailey, please click here.
    For more information about Nadia Herb, please click here.





  • Learning to Move and Moving to Learn

    Nishad Sayyed – Pediatric Physiotherapist and Sensory Integration Specialist
    BSc. OT, SIPT-Cert
    Kaajal Jina- Speech and Language Therapist
    BA Speech Therapy and Audiology
    Read more →

    Learning to Move and Moving to Learn

    Movement is essential for brain development and hence for the learning process. Learning to move and moving to learn is an integral part of a child’s development and hence it is important to ensure that the process is ongoing. The presentation will focus on how this is interlinked and how parents and teachers can incorporate movement strategies into daily routines to improve overall development in children.

    For more information about Nishad Sayyed, please click here.
    For more information about Kaajal Jina, please click here.





  • ADHD, Executive Function and Sensory Integration: What’s the difference, what works and why?

    Nannette Wicker Essick – Occupational Therapist Educational Consultant
    MA MOT OTR SIPT-C
    Read more →

    ADHD, Executive Function and Sensory Integration: What’s the difference, what works and why?

    The presentation helps educators develop an understanding and explains the difference between ADHD, Sensory Processing difficulties and Executive function skills. It further discusses the occurrence of executive function challenges in children with ADHD and sensory processing difficulties, followed by strategies and accommodations that the teachers and parents can employ to help children both in the classroom and at home.
    For more information about Nannette Wicker Essick, please click here.





  • Sensory Strategies for the Classroom

    Gaurangi Ganpule – Occupational Therapist
    MSc OT, BOT
    Ream Katbeh – Speech and Language Therapist
    MSc SLT, PgDip in SLT, BA in Linguistics
    Read more →

    Sensory Strategies for the Classroom

    This presentation aims to inform the attendees about areas of concern that can be observed in students with sensory processing difficulties in a classroom setting. It provides examples of specific strategies that can be put in place to assist children in managing their sensory needs at home and achieve their maximum potential.

    For more information about Gaurangi Ganpule, please click here.
    For more information about Ream Katbeh, please click here.





  • Understanding Dyslexia and Dyspraxia

    Asmaa Fakhreddine – Senior Speech and Language Therapist
    MSc Neuro Psy, BSc SLT
    Sam Stanton – Occupational Pathologist
    BOccTher, NDT/Bobath, ASI fidelity measure certified
    Read more →

    Understanding Dyslexia and Dyspraxia

    This presentation helps to provide a better understanding of Dyslexia and Dyspraxia and how to distinguish the differences and similarities between the two. It provides typical symptoms to look out for and supportive strategies to use to facilitate learning skills in the classroom.

    For more information about Asmaa Fakhreddine, please click here.
    For more information about Sam Stanton, please click here.