Outpatient Certifications

Below I included some of the most common certifications therapists had obtained and talked with me about while spending time at outpatient pediatric clinics.

Sensory Integration (SI) Training/Courses -
- A couple outpatient therapists at the clinics I visited had completed further sensory integration training.  One course in particular was an intense 3 month course in California through Jean Ayres.  From speaking with them, they shared that after attending the SI class, they felt it further shaped the way they provided occupational therapy services.  Sensory integration further evaluates the way a child is able to process and adapt to the sensory interactions that are going on in a child's environment and within themselves.
For further information on the SI course offered in California I have provided a link:
http://chan.usc.edu/academics/continuing-education/sensory-integration

NDT training -
-Many therapists shared they had also attended a multiple day course on Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT).  They shared that this course had given them greater confidence when handling patients and a greater knowledge base to draw from for interventions during treatment sessions.  

Alert Program - "How fast is your engine running?"
-The Alert Program was a program I learned about that focuses primarily on self regulation and emotional regulation.  This program a therapist can attend a course on or get mentored by another therapist who has received proper training.  This program enables the child to identify when their "engine" is running too slow, too fast, or just right.  Therapists explained that this program is a great way to raise awareness for the child and is a positive home program for families.  Many therapists have seen great success when utilizing this program.
To read further about the Alert Program:
http://www.alertprogram.com/

Handwriting without tears courses
-While spending time in an outpatient setting, I realized how common it is for an OT to work with children on handwriting.  Whether it be letter formation, fine motor strengthening, proper pencil grasp, attention, etc.  There are many aspects that can impede a child's ability to learn handwriting in a school setting. A curriculum that I specifically learned about was Handwriting Without Tears.  This program was designed by an OT specifically and is utilized in many schools as well.  From my experience and after talking with therapists, children tend to have success with this multi-sensory way of learning handwriting.  Therapists shared that the Handwriting Without Tears materials are easy to understand and children enjoy working through it.
Handwriting without tears link:
https://www.hwtears.com/hwt

There are many more certifications therapists can obtain when working in an outpatient pediatric setting.  The therapists I spoke with shared that the continuing education courses they attended and the certifications they had strongly impacted the way they delivered OT services and planned treatment sessions.  Seeking out continuing education courses is a way to provide evidence based interventions and stay up to date on what is working for children outside of the clinic you work at.

Images found on Google.