Enrollment ends 11pm EST on Wednesday October 11th, 2023

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Hours
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Join My Hybrid (self-paced with LIVE sessions)
Level 2 Online Course!
October 12th, 2023- January 12th, 2024

Autism & Sensory Processing:
BEST* Strategies for Feeding, Play, Sleep, Self-Care, Leisure & School!

Become Confident in Your Knowledge & Effective in your Work with Children & Youth on the Autism Spectrum

Ok, Tell me this...

Are you done with second guessing yourself & feeling unsure as to whether the information you are giving & strategies you are recommending are evidence-based & effective?

Let me know if this sounds familiar...

if that sounds about right, then KEEP on Reading

What This Course Can Help You With:

Bring you Clarity 

Gain a clear understanding of Sensory-Based Interventions (SBIs) that support engagement & participation of autistic children & youth in feeding, play, sleep, self-care, leisure & school occupations

Grow your skills

Learn how to use my BEST* (Body, Emotional, Sensory & Thinking) Strategies Framework to guide your clinical thinking while also adding practical strategies & resources to your therapy toolbox

Make an Impact

Confidently explain sensory processing & its relationship to autism & how sensory-based interventions (SBIs) can support autistic individuals & their families to thrive

I know that self-doubt can creep in but it doesn't have to be that way.

Imagine how it would feel to...

… finally feel confident, inspired & excited by your therapy toolbox of best autism practices & neurodiversity-affirming strategies & resources

 

… really know that you are well informed as to the evidence supporting the use of  Sensory-Based Interventions (SBIs) in feeding, play, sleep, personal care, leisure & school occupations  

… regain your passion for your your work through a better understanding of how to effectively support autistic children & youth through the use of my evidence-based BEST Strategies Framework

Siblings celebrating with confetti everywhere

It's time to evolve your practice!

INTRODUCING My Autism & Sensory Processing Level 2 Course

BEST Strategies for Picky Eating, Play, Sleep, Self-Care, Leisure & School

An 9 Module (PLUS 1 BONUS Module) hybrid online (self-paced + 2 hours of Case Studies Review &/or LIVE Q&A) course where you will learn the latest developments in the field of autism & sensory processing in relation to picky eating, play, sleep, self-care, leisure & school occupations. You will also be able to use my evidence-based BEST (Body, Emotional, Sensory & Thinking) Strategies Framework to help guide your clinical reasoning & learn how to positively impact meaningful engagement & participation in these occupations when working with & supporting autistic people & their families

Over 1000 occupational therapy Practitioners have taken my courses &

The results speak for themselves...

“I am an occupational therapist and was very interested in Moira’s virtual workshop on Autism & Sensory Processing: Concepts, Evidence & BEST Strategies. I am grateful for Moira sharing her knowledge and practical recommendations! It was honestly very helpful for my practice and I have a better understanding of how to approach my clients’ sensory-related challenges by using BEST strategies. You can tell that Moira has a passion for her work, which translated into her teaching. 100% recommended.”

Lisseth reano
occupational therapist

I participated in Moira’s workshop on Sensory Processing and Sensory-Based Interventions for Children. Moira presented as extremely knowledgeable and passionate. I got the opportunity to learn about the implementation of core concepts of solution-focused communication with parents and caregivers, select and implement specific evidence-based intervention strategies for meaningful occupations, and many others! Moira responded to all questions without hesitation and included practical examples that all participants can relate to in their own work. Moira is truly an exceptional presenter with such a beautiful soul and spirit which was shown throughout the workshop. Truly an inspiration!

Christine abi-khaled
occupational therapist

“As a new OT grad (UBC Class 2023), I think this Level 2 course is exactly what I needed to boost my confidence and knowledge in this area of practice, especially because pediatrics is not something that is covered in depth in OT school.  I’ve enjoyed the modules and the course is organized very nicely and easy to follow. I really like how Moira provided specific BEST strategies for each module. She has created a very well organized and comprehensive online course on Autism and BEST Strategies!’

leeza Pertsev
occupational therapist

“Thank you Moira for this online course! It was such amazing information! You are very knowledgeable and I really appreciated how you broke down the information and explained it so well so it was easy to follow. I really appreciated the theoretical foundations and the BEST strategies as I am now able to implement these into my sessions for the purposes of helping my clients with co-regulation and self-regulation so that they can be ready to learn and communicate.”


CINDY GONCALVES-ADDARIO
speech-language PATHOLOGIST

Read what occupational therapy practitioners are saying about some of the content in Module 8!

Are you ready to become confident & effective with your work with children & youth on the autism spectrum?

let's delve into the details

A Bit on Each of the 8 Modules...

MODULE ONE (1.0 hours)

Quick Hits: Sensory Processing & Autism

  • Defining evidence-based practice 
  • Applying a neurodiversity-affirming (NDA) lens to your practice
  • Sensory processing, the 8 sensory systems & 3 most common sensory profiles
  • Research foundations of my BEST* (Body, Emotional, Sensory & Thinking) Strategies Framework

MODULE Two (1.0 hours)

BEST Strategies for Picky Eating Part 1

 
  • Differentiating between picky eating vs. extreme picky eating (EPE) & ARFID
  • Reasons why autistic individuals experience feeding challenges 
  • Understand what needs to be included in a comprehensive feeding assessment & therapy plan

MODULE Three (1.0 hours)

BEST Strategies for Picky Eating Part 2

 
  • Use my evidence-based BEST* Strategies Framework to support autistic children & youth &. their families in addressing extreme picky eating (EPE) & taking steps towards expanding their food repertoire

MODULE four (1.0 hours)

BEST Strategies for Play

  • A review of best autism practice related to play & social communication skills in early years interventions that are considered to be in alignment with the neurodiversity paradigm

MODULE five (1.o hour)

BEST Strategies for
Self-Care

  • Understand factors that impact participation in self-care tasks, including dressing & personal hygiene
  • Use my BEST* Strategies Framework to effectively address common challenges with ADLs  

MODULE six (0.5 hours)

BEST Strategies
for Leisure

  • A review of the research supporting the development of neurodiversity-affirming leisure interventions to support quality of life in autistic people 

MODULE seven (1.0 hours)

BEST Strategies
for Sleep

  • Understand why autistic children experience sleep differences
  • Best autism practices to address sleep challenges
  • Understand how to support sleep autonomy through personalized sleep routines 

MODULE eight (1.5 hours)

BEST Strategies For School Part 1

  • Identifying & collaborating with families & teachers to implement practical BEST* (BODY) evidence-based strategies that support self-regulation & participation in daily school occupations

MODULE nine (1 hour)

BEST Strategies for School Part 2

  • Identifying & collaborating with teachers & families to implement practical BEST* (EMOTIONAL, SENSORY & THINKING) evidence-based strategies that support self-regulation & participation in school occupations

BONUS MODULE 10 (1 hour)

Principles of Solution- Focused Communication (SFC)

  • The reason why we need to shift our approach to using solution-focused communication principles in our sessions
  • Understand how to embed SFC principles into your health care conversations 
  • Key SFC questions you should ALWAYS to ask to help guide the assessment & therapy process with your clients & families

What is Included in this Course?

1.0 AOTA CEUs Autism Level 1

1.2 AOTA Continued Education Units (PENDING AOTA APPROVAL)

When approved, this hybrid (distance learning with Live components) online course will be registered for 1.2 hours AOTA CEUs (10 hours of self-paced learning + 2 hours of LIVE training= 12 contact hours)

Access to the course's content & replay of video modules for 3 consecutive months PLUS all PPT slides, handouts, references & resources

2 Live 1 hour group Zoom Q&As & Case Studies' Review

First Zoom Live session takes place on Friday, December 15th, 2023 at 12-1 p.m EST

Second Zoom Live session takes place on Friday, January 12th, 2023 at 12-1 p.m EST

FAQ Image

Access to my PDF Document with ALL the Answers to My Most Frequently Asked Questions!

BONUS Module on Solution- Focused Communication (SFC) skills that will enable you to better partner with clients & families by adopting a coaching approach in your conversations

Are you ready to join?

“I found the course so informative and interesting. I feel like you have validated some of my practice related to sensory issues and certainly have inspired me to use new assessment and treatment tools. It was the perfect mix of research and practical strategiesI very much appreciate having had the opportunity to attend this course and sincerely thank you.” 

KaREN RANDALL
occupational therapist

“Thank you for the great workshop on sensory-based interventions for children Moira! I learned a lot from the workshop regarding helping children with sensory processing differences engage in school, play, and self-care occupations. I appreciated how the workshop included evidence-based assessments and interventions that occupational therapists can use in both a hospital and clinic setting. Thanks again!” 

Fernanda lara peralta
occupational therapist

My happiness guarantee

100% Risk Free

I want you to feel fully satisfied with your investment in this professional development activity.

Full refunds will be given if requested before the course begins or within the first 24 hours of the first 2 course modules (October 12th, to October 13th,  2023) being delivered. 

Sensory Processing Speaker Moira Pena Profile Picture

MEET YOUR presenter

Hi there, I'm Moira!

I’m an occupational therapist with over 20 years of experience working with children, youth & adults on the autism spectrum & others who experience sensory processing differences.

I’m also a Certified Solution Focused Health Care Coach (SFHCC), a published author & researcher in The Journal of Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders & the creator & host of Holland Bloorview’s Autism Summit.

And what means so much to me- & I’m most grateful for– is having had the amazing opportunity to teach & connect with over 1000 occupational therapy practitioners & other health care professionals who have already attended my courses!

I so look forward to meeting you!

“Moira is a very knowledgeable and engaging presenter, this was superb. The updated evidence, research links and references were excellent. The course was very well structured and informative. I appreciated the BEST strategies and recommendations and sharing of new tools and equipment. I also appreciated that the information was intended to be practical with strategies that could be implemented right away. Ever since the workshop, I have been using Moira’s tools and materials with so many of the families I work with! I’m looking forward to staying connected to such a passionate and resourceful therapist.”

amelia Raj
occupational therapist

“This course was a perfect mix of evidence based information and practical strategies for intervention.  As a “seasoned” therapist, it gave me the opportunity to learn about more recent approaches and it provided a strong overview of the sensory systems and latest information in each area.  Moira is an engaging speaker who is able to pull from her past clinical experience as well as current research to answer questions.  It was a pleasure to take your workshop and I hope you offer more in the near future. Thank you” 

Lizette Alexander
occupational therapist

have a question?

Frequently Asked Questions

This is an 10 module online hybrid (self-paced online with 2 Q&A LIVE zoom sessions) course for a total of 12 hours of continuing education contact hours.
Modules 1-2 will be made available on Thursday, October 12th 2023 at 9:00 a.m EST and will be available for 24 hours (this 24 hour period is the refund/cancellation window given to all participants).
Modules 3-9  will then be made available on Friday, October 13th, 2023 at 9:00 a.m EST
The BONUS Module 10 on Solution Focused Communication (SFC) will be delivered within the first month of the course taking place
All participants will be given the details to access all 9 modules + BONUS module 10 to play & replay & resources at any time during the 3 consecutive month access period (October 12th- January 11th, 2024).
There will be two 1.0 hours Q&A & Case Studies’ Review Live Zoom sessions with the presenter.
The first Zoom Q&A session will take place on Friday, December 15th, 2023 at 12:00-1:00 p.m EST when will be going over any questions you may have related to Modules 1-5 & discuss specific de-identified cases that participants or I will bring to the session.
The second Zoom Q&A session will take place on Friday, January 12th, 2024 at 12:00-1p.m EST when will be going over any questions you may have related to Modules 6-10 & discuss specific de-identified cases that participants or I will bring to the session.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Explain why occupational therapy practitioners & other health care professionals need to practice using a strengths-based, trauma informed & neurodiversity-affirming (NDA) approaches to best support autistic & other children & youth & their families
  2. Utilize the presenter’s BEST* (Body, Emotional, Sensory and Thinking) Strategies Framework to support autistic children & youth in engaging & participating in feeding, play, sleep, self-care (personal hygiene), leisure & school occupations
  3. Examine how each of the presenter’s BEST* Strategies can specifically support self-regulation in the school context
  4. Analyze the importance of considering neurobiological correlates of stress when addressing challenging or interfering behaviours in the classroom 
  5.  
  6. *PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM AWAITING APPROVAL FOR AOTA CEUS FOR THIS COURSE* Once approved for AOTA CEUS, participants seeking AOTA CEUs will need to complete the following: 
  7.  
  8. If you are an occupational therapy practitioner seeking AOTA CEUs, please note that you will need to complete a pre and post self-assessment question as well as a multiple choice quiz that will help you in consolidating the new knowledge that you would have gained from this course. To receive 1.2 AOTA CEUs, a participant will need to receive a 70% in this quiz.

You will be given access to the first 2 modules on Thursday, October 12th, 2023 at 9 a.m EST for 24 hours. Once this refund/cancellation fee period is over, access to all 9 modules will be given from Friday, October 13th, 2023 at 9 a.m. EST for a period of 3 consecutive months until Friday, January 12th, 2024 at 6 p.m EST. The BONUS Module 10 module will be delivered to the participants during the first month of the 3 month access period. 

You will be able to play & replay all of the modules & resources at any time during this 3 month access period. 

This course has been developed using paediatric literature and research. Therefore, this course is appropriate for occupational therapy practitioners (& other health care professionals) working with kids & youth on the autism spectrum from 0 to age 21. Having said that, there is a large focus in this course on learning from the adult autistic lived experience so references to adult-based research are made throughout all 10 modules as well.

Please note that this course builds from my Level 1 Course: Autism & Sensory Processing: Concepts, Evidence & BEST* Strategies where the focus is on gaining an in-depth understanding of sensory-processing, neurodiversity-affirming (NDA) approaches & my BEST* Strategies Framework. Please note that attendance to the Level 1 Course is NOT REQUIRED, simply recommended. 

For occupational therapy practitioners seeking AOTA CEUs:  Once approved, this course’s  10 Learning Modules + 2 Live Zoom Q&A sessions will meet the needs of occupational therapy practitioners and other health care professionals working with children and youth on the autism spectrum seeking an in-depth Intermediate Educational Level professional development activity. 

Other neurodivergent populations include: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gifted children & youth, developmental delay (DD), Fragile X and other syndromes, schizophrenia & bipolar disorder, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), prematurity, trauma and anxiety (AOTA Practice Guidelines for Children and Youth with Challenges in Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing, 2018).

The research literature shows that up to 80% of neurodivergent children & youth who do not have a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience significant sensory processing differences that affect their ability to engage & participate in meaningful daily tasks or occupations. Therefore, the content discussed in this course and BEST* strategies does apply to other neurodivergent populations who experience sensory processing differences. 

Do keep in mind that my clinical experience is primarily with children, youth & adults who are on the autism spectrum. The case studies & videos will focus on autism but all of my content can be applied to all children & youth who experience sensory processing differences. 

While the target audience for this course course are occupational therapy praticitioners (OTs & OTAs) other health care and education professionals have taken my courses and are most welcomed to register!

I’ve had Speech-Language Pathologists, Physiotherapists, Board Certified Behaviour Therapists, Behaviour Therapists, Pediatricians, Dietitians, Early Childhood Educators, Teachers and Education Assistants attend my courses in the past and I’ve received great feedback from them. 

 

No matter what your professional background is, this course will equip you with concrete and actionable evidence based sensory-based interventions (SBIs) that you will be able to implement in your sessions when supporting autistic children & youth in feeding (picky eating), play, sleep, self-care (personal hygiene), leisure and school occupations

Please note that all participants will be provided with a Certificate of Completion for a total of 12 professional development contact hours. 

Once approved by AOTA, occupational therapy practitioners seeking AOTA CEUs will be able receive 1.2 AOTA CEUs provided that they meet the necessary accreditation requirements (completion of a pre and post self-assessment question and 70% on a multiple choice quiz).

Of course! Many people have joined my courses from different time zones in the past. All 10 modules, resources & (if you are not able to attend LIVE) the recordings of the two Zoom Live Q&A & Case Review sessions will be made available on an ongoing basis from October 12th, 2023 to January 12th, 2024.

Yes, I want you to be fully satisfied with your investment. 

Full refunds will be given if requested before the launch date or within the first 24 hours of the first 1 modules (October 12th, 2023 9 a.m EST to October 13th, 2023 9 a.m EST) being delivered. 

All cancellation/refund requests must be sent in writing to Moira Pena at [email protected] or [email protected]

All cancellation/refund requests will be given in full provided they are requested within the above-specified timeline. 

The full Cancellation Policy reads as follows: 

Moira Pena Consulting Services reserves the right to modify the course’s tittle, description, preliminary agenda, registration dates and information on the course’s webpage. Moira Pena reserves the right to modify, change the timing of the schedule, change the technology platform used in the course and/or cancel the course due to unexpected presenter’s circumstances such as the presenter no longer being able to offer the course, technical difficulties, severe weather, power failure, building closures or other special circumstances that are beyond the control of Moira Pena Consulting Services by notifying participants as soon as possible.  If the course is cancelled by Moira Pena Consulting Services, participants will receive a full refund of the registration fee. Moira Pena Consulting Services will not be responsible for other costs or expenses incurred by participants as a result of any such changes.  

I am an AOTA approved provider of professional development and I have applied for this PD activity to be approved for 1.2 AOTA CEUs (12 contact hours) and I am hoping to receive approval ASAP. I will also be providing a Certificate of Completion for all participants. This certificate will state the number or clock hours of course content (total of 12) and, if applicable, 1.2 AOTA CEUs.

Of course! Just email me at [email protected] or [email protected] & I will send you a registration form that will enable your employer to register you or your team by sending a cheque or making a direct deposit. I will provide you with a business receipt for your records.

Please note that if you’d rather use e-transfer, the email to make the e-transfer payment to is [email protected]

Yes, if your organization would like to register a group, please email me at [email protected] or [email protected]. The discount will be as follows: 

3 participants: 15% off, 4-6 participants: 20% off and for 7 and more participants: 30% off.

 

You can email me at [email protected] or [email protected] or send me a DM on Instagram @moirapena_ot

Always happy to connect & answer any questions!

No questions, I'm ready for this!

Yes, you CAN become knowledgeable, confident & effective in your work with children & youth on the autism spectrum!

“The breadth and depth of information in this course were excellent. I appreciated the evidence and neuroscience updates which support and confirm our practice. I added several useful resources to my toolbox, especially related to feeding and sleep. I also really enjoyed learning about solution focused communication, and I look forward to reflecting on how I can better implement it into my practice. I left the course excited because of Moira’s enthusiasm and all of the materials and resources presented that I could use within my practice.

christopher tuplin
occupational therapist

“I wanted to say thank you so much for a wonderful course. It was jammed packed with information and resources. I had tried to be part of your course originally but it was full, then a spot opened and I am thrilled that I took the leap! There were definitely some items that I knew before but not one topic that I didn’t learn something else to add to my tool box or could way to use techniques/communication/ assessment, etc., in a different manner. The resources, Instagram links and articles were amazing. I can’t say enough about your course- well thought out and excellently prepared. All in all, you ROCK….. adding you to my ‘OT Crushes’!”

Marlene Morse
occupational therapist

“I really enjoyed your Level 1 online course!  The content was thorough, practical and well-organized and the evidence was clearly indicated which is always helpful to guide and inform our practices.  I really valued the flexibility of viewing the modules at my own pace and schedule, and the live sessions were wonderful to discuss the course content, brainstorm together, and network.  The course was validating for my current practice as an OT, but also a great reminder for other information as well as learning some new strategies that I can incorporate into my practice.  It definitely met my expectations and I have already recommended it to several other colleagues.”  

jennifer kinny
occupational therapist

“I  loved your course especially all of the up to date research on sensory processing and ASD! I am still listening to your wonderful course and always learning something new each time I listen. It was amazing to have been part of the online discussions with OTs, SLPs and other service providers from all around the globe. A dynamic and interactive learning platform that was both academic and practical. By completing your course I can confirm that I have learned so much and grown as therapist. Thanks to your course, I am currently using many new sensory based approaches and strategies in my practice with autistic adults with more confidence knowing about the results and research backing my interventions!

Andrea McFeely
senior occupational therapist
ireland

ready to get started?

YES, SIGN ME UP!

AUTISM & SENSORY PROCESSING LEVEL 2 Hybrid Online Course: 

SENSORY PROCESSING & AUTISM: 
BEST STRATEGIES FOR FEEDING, PLAY, SLEEP, SELF-CARE, LEISURE & SCHOOL

Self-Paced Online Course + 2 Live Q&A Zoom Sessions : $497 CAD

Please note that e-transfers are accepted at [email protected]

Click the "Buy Now" button to sign up!