I strive to engage all participants and tap into their experience to translate knowledge into practice. It does not matter how interesting or compelling the content, if each participant cannot incorporate the information into her/his work, the session is not successful. I have found probing for questions or reservations, tackling challenges, providing application activities and relevant research to be my most effective approaches. Busy practitioners rarely find time to explore current research or even to reflect on her/his practice, I work to make my sessions afford this important professional development. Please find content areas listed below; however, I LOVE to respond to the specific needs of a group to develop new sessions! Let me know what you need!! 
Please contact me at laurieraypt@yahoo.com to discuss additional potential sessions or to customize one for your needs. I encourage you to investigate www.seekfreaks.com to uncover my other areas of interest and expertise. You can also visit www.applyebp.com to find upcoming evidence-based continuing education workshops. One may even be near you.

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Student Goals vs. Therapy Goals: How to get our work done in the classroom

  • Description: This session is focused on practical aspects of developing student-centered IEP goals that incorporate the expertise of the parents, student, teachers and related service providers. The ultimate goal of our work is to improve student achievement and function throughout his/her school day. Are we effectively using all aspects of school practice? Particular emphasis will be on data and collaboration necessary for the IEP team to identify priorities, delegate appropriately and develop the student’s goals, service delivery and data plan. We will review how least restrictive environments are determined and ensuring we utilize the full continuum of service delivery in our recommendations. This session is interactive with applied activities and discussion.
  • Audience: School-based OTs, PTs, SLPs, Special Educators, Administrators, Parents
  • Format: Full or half day

Assessment for School-aged Children and Youth (with focus on school-based PT practice)

  • Description: We all have our favorite assessments. We will look at how we actually select assessment tools and consider a clinical reasoned approach to individualizing assessment with preference to participation. We will also review various assessment tools, their strengths and weaknesses. This will be discussion-based and an easy way to refresh your assessment ‘toolbox’. Bring your favorite assessment(s) with you to share!!
  • Audience: Primarily school-based PTs, but PTs from other practice settings,  OTs and SLPs have participated (focus on PT measures)
  • Format: Half-day

Data-based Practice

  • Description: This session will focus on best practices and practical strategies for data collection and management in collaboration with all team members, to improve student function throughout the school day. A growing, critical responsibility of our practice is the efficient use of data to improve our individual performance, delivery of physical therapy within our programs, and student outcomes, including data planning, collection, analysis, and application. We will explore how student data should shape our interventions and service delivery, making them more effective, rather than just suffering an additional burden due to the latest educational fad. Participants will offer and discuss outcome measures and data points used in their practice to determine how students are accessing, participating, and progressing in their educational program. This session will discuss how to employ data to shape interventions, priorities, and documentation.
  • Audience: OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, Special Educators, Adapted Physical Educators, other Instructional staff (GenEd Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Paraprofessionals), Administrators
  • Format: Full day or (with some content eliminated) half-day

IDEA and Relevant Legislation: FERPA, 504 and much, much more!

  • Description: Understanding the law that began our practice in public schools is often glossed over with a pamphlet. We will explore IDEA and frequently overlooked aspects of this law and associated regulations will be unpacked. We will discuss relevant case law which can be helpful in guiding our clinical reasoning with specific cases. Key parts of other relevant law and regulations will be discussed, such as FERPA, ADA and 504.
  • Audience: School-based OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, Special Educators, Adapted Physical Educators, other Instructional staff (GenEd Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Paraprofessionals), Administrators
  • Format: Half-day (pairs well with Medicaid and School-based Practice)

Transitions in School-based Practice: EI to Schools, Between schools (ES to MS; MS to HS) and from School to Citizen

  • Description: This session will focus on best practices and practical strategies for data collection and management in collaboration with all team members, to improve student function throughout the school day. A growing, critical responsibility of our practice is the efficient use of data to improve our individual performance, delivery of physical therapy within our programs, and student outcomes, including data planning, collection, analysis, and application. We will explore how student data should shape our interventions and service delivery, making them more effective, rather than just suffering an additional burden due to the latest educational fad.
  • Audience: School-based OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, Special Educators, Adapted Physical Educators, other Instructional staff (GenEd Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Paraprofessionals), Administrators
  • Format: Full day or (with some content eliminated) half-day

Medicaid and School-based Practice

  • Description: This area of school-based practice is often not well understood. While specifics can vary from state to state, there are some foundational characteristics to discuss. We will rely on legislation, federal Medicaid guidance, audit results and case law to explore how these two ‘worlds’ can best work together. Ample time will be reserved for questions, answers and rousing discussion!
  • Audience: School-based OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, School Nurses, Audiologists, Special Educators, Adapted Physical Educators, other Instructional staff (GenEd Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Paraprofessionals), Administrators
  • Format: Half-day

Goal writing Workshop

  • Description: Participants bring a goal s/he is struggling to write. We will review the foundational concepts to employ and discuss strategies to make goals student-centered, meaningful and collaborative. We will work in pairs or small groups to edit or create goals that meet requirements and work in the ‘real world’.
  • Audience: School-based OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, School Nurses, Audiologists, Special Educators, Adapted Physical Educators, other Instructional staff (GenEd Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Paraprofessionals), Administrators
  • Format:  Half-day (pairs well with Assessment of School-aged Children and Youth)

APE & PT : Collaborating to  Improve Student Outcomes

  • Description: Physical therapy and adapted physical education often overlap. Many educational professionals are not clear how these disciplines are different at all. This session provides an overview of each discipline. We then explore practical ideas for collaboration to ensure a strong APE program. Ample time is reserved for discussion, questions and answers.
  • Audience: School-based OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, SLPAs, School Nurses, Audiologists, Special Educators, Adapted Physical Educators, other Instructional staff (GenEd Teachers, Teacher Assistants, Paraprofessionals), Administrators
  • Format: Half-day (or full day with IEP development activites)