The Dynamic Duo: Blending the Techniques of Occupational Therapy and Play Therapy Together in the Playroom
Presented by Cindy Gutierres-Check, MOT and Dana Holtz, MA, RPT-S
Play is children's occupation! Unfortunately, trauma, stress, and developmental challenges impact brain development and child's play ability. We will explore activities based in occupational and play therapy designed to "retrain the brain," improve children's functioning in processing, regulation, and integration.
This workshop combines tenets of Occupational and Play Therapy to address the impact of trauma on four key domains of functioning: sensory integration, self-regulation, relational, and cognitive (Barfield et al, 2011). Children’s occupation is play. Exposure to trauma and dysregulation in the four domains negatively impacts a child’s ability to play, find social/academic success, and develop a strong sense of self. This workshop focuses on developing somatosensory activities that meet children at their level of functioning to provide reparative experiences that “retrain the brain.”
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Explain the domino effect trauma creates in the brain and the resulting impact on childhood functioning.
- Discuss how Occupational Therapy and Play Therapy merge in the playroom to aid in the healthy development of children and "retrain the brain."
- List the three (3) areas of play that can be impacted by trauma experiences.
- Apply a minimum of ten (10) somatosensory play interventions with a base in the science of occupational therapy to a playroom setting.
Level of training: Foundational
3 CEUs toward the Techniques/Methods Content Requirement
About our presenters: 
Cindy Gutierres-Check, board certified occupational therapist, with over 14 years experience in pediatric discipline holds a Master degree in Occupational Therapy and a Bachelor degree in Psychology. Additionally, she owns Lila’s Kidz, a therapist based company, and is an adjunct faculty at Pima Medical Institute.
Dana Holtz, Director of Queen Louise Home for Children, holds an Educational SpecialistDegree in School Psychology and is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. With over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents in a variety of settings, play therapy remains her passion.
AZAPT Members $45
NonMembers $55
Check in at the door begins at 8:40 a.m.
AZAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. Our provider number is 97-035. AZAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph, video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote the Annual Conference or AZAPT.