Understanding Interventions & Therapies in a Montessori Setting

Course Description

The Montessori Medical Partnership for Inclusion is presenting a valuable three-part online learning opportunity starting in September that will make you better prepared to understand and support the developmental and learning needs of some children in your classroom.

Part 1, presented by Barbara Luborsky, OTR/L, is intended to help Montessori educators become aware of the many ways the occupational therapist (OT) can support a child with sensory and motor needs in the Montessori school. Barbara will share information that will help teachers develop a deeper understanding of the scope and roles of the OT in addressing attention, behavior and learning challenges that result from sensory processing deficits and or developmental motor issues. Barbara will also present information about how the OT and the Montesssorian can work together to support all children. Collaboration among teachers, parents, and medical professionals, such as the OT, is a key factor in supporting the successful participation of children with sensory and motor disorders in the Montessori setting.

In Part 2, presented by Montessori Special Educator Catherine Nehring Massie, Montessorians will learn about meeting the needs of children with Dyslexia utilizing Orton-Gillingham language therapy in combination with the Montessori Language curriculum. From adapted Montessori materials and lessons to one-on-one O-G tutoring, there are many levels of supporting reading development that are possible for a student with Dyslexia in a Montessori school. Catherine will provide Participants with an O-G skill-based framework to use in planning for the needs of their students who are experiencing difficulties in learning to read and write. Participants will explore how collaboration between Montessori Guides and Orton-Gillingham practitioners can lead to a more integrated language and literacy learning experience for the children with language learning differences.

Part 3, presented by Prof. Michelle Lane-Barmapov, is intended to help Montessori educators become aware of the varied challenges that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) face and receive a brief overview of how Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy can support learning and development. ABA therapy is an evidence-based practice that is approved as a medically necessary therapy in the United States and covered by medical insurance and Medicaid. This Level 1 introduction is geared to help Montessorians become familiar with the basics of the scientific approach of ABA with the focus on Michelle's pioneering blend of Montessori-ABA therapy. At the end of this course, participants will learn how to create a Montessori ABA lesson plan and understand how this approach makes Montessori lessons accessible to children with ASD. The goal of this part of the course is to give Montessori educators a deeper understanding of the value of collaboration with behavior therapists, other medical professionals, and parents in supporting children with autism for success in a Montessori setting.

Dates

September 1, 2022 - November 30, 2022

Learning Outcomes

Through completing this course, the learner will:

• Gain an understanding of how to work with children with autism, children with sensory/motor dysfunction, and children with dyslexia in a Montessori setting.
• Develop general skills to support a collaborative approach when working with behavior, occupational, and Orton-Gillingham professionals.

Disclaimer:
Information presented in this course is solely for educational purposes. The content of this course is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or psychiatric advice, but rather to identify the benefits to the child and Montessori Guide of medical-educational collaborative partnerships. Participants retain full responsibility for decision-making regarding implementation of strategies tosupport inclusion and shall exercise independent professional judgment in the performance ofserving the needs of all students under their care.