Living On The Spectrum: A Sense-Ational Perspective Of Hope, Inspiration, and Resources

Sensory processing presents the greatest challenge for our children, especially within classrooms; nevertheless, few schools are prepared to address this common phenomenon. Based upon science and research from the Institute of HeartMath Research Center, a recognized leader in emotional physiology, resilience and stress-management research, participants will be introduced to the fundamentals highlighting psychophysiology and neurocardiology strategies easy to implement at home as well as within the education setting. Specific resources supporting sensory ease for your amazing kids will be featured. Within the context of Autism and related disorders, workshops and conferences often address autism as a "disease" or requiring a "cure".  This presentation starts out from the framework, "Autism is not a disease" and does not require a cure.  Though it may often best be addressed through therapy and social language/skill intervention with the support of a behavior analyst. 

Most noteworthy, the "theory" presented, "Autism: A SENSE-ational LIFE" highlights the sensory experience and related research addressing the connection between sensory input, the amygdala, anxiety, and compensatory behaviors which create a soothing or calming effect; though many related actions are often self injurous or highly distracting. 

Furthermore, the presentation concludes with a presentation linking the scientific research behind the heart-brain connection as the foundation behind sensory = anxiety = behavior.  More so, the participants will experience a number of strategies that target heart rate variability as the measurement of ease, calm, or what if known as "coherehence" between the heart and brain connection.  These strategies provide the groundword for self resilience, emotional management, and calm.  Specifically, learning objectives include:

a. Research presented demonstrating the relationship between sensory overload, anxiety, and the hyper development of the amygdala.

b. Research presented addressing the heart and brain connection within the stress, sensory, anxiety process with an emphasis on deescalation.

c. Strategies, as developed by the non profit Institute of Heartmath, the leading organization supporting emotional wellness through science and research, will be shared with all participants.