Beyond Charts & Rewards: Supporting Neurodiverse Patients

This integrative workshop will combine short multimodal presentations, group discussions, experiential learning activities, and simulations to strengthen participants' depth of practice from assessment through documentation. With a focus on supporting our neurodivergent patient population, attendees will delve deep into the assessment, intervention, and documentation components of the certified child life specialist role.

Through a short presentation, workshop participants will explore various common pediatric neurodivergent diagnoses and the potential barriers these diagnoses create for patients as they navigate healthcare experiences in a variety of settings. Small group discussions will be utilized to gather a collective overview of participants' experiences with neurodivergent populations and the biggest challenges they face when supporting these patients and their families.

Utilizing the group's experiences and feedback, a review of assessment tools and strategies will be provided via a short presentation, followed by a hands-on activity that will emphasize the interpretation of data collected through assessment. Workshop presenters will guide participants through the process of connecting assessment data to inform the identification and implementation of targeted sensory, communication, and pedagogical interventions.

A final, brief presentation will provide participants with an overview of possible documentation formats commonly utilized by a certified child life specialist. Hands-on practice opportunities will support participants in applying newly acquired knowledge to various scenarios, during which participants will use strategies taught throughout the workshop to enhance articulation of depth of practice within documentation.

Participants should come prepared to share challenges and successes they've experienced in their practice, as well as a desire to delve beneath the surface to explore, identify and articulate the "whys" behind patient behaviors and child life interventions.

Suggested Domain: Assessment, Intervention, DEI
Credits: 1.0 PDU

Please note: All webinar content and its certificate will expire on DATE, regardless of when it is purchased, accessed, or completed. At that point, contents will no longer be available in any form, including as an archive or as a PDU certificate. It is the responsibility of the learner to complete the contents and download and save the certificate for their records prior to DATE.