Using Gravity to Facilitate
Sensory Motor Development in Children
On-demand Version

Gravity influences infant development in many ways, from triggering vestibular processing to developing and strengthening muscles. Due to a number of factors, including improper positioning, lack of typical sensory motor opportunities, other environmental factors, and/or diagnoses of failure to thrive, autism, sensory processing disorders, etc., many of today's children are delayed in their sensory motor development when compared with past generations. These delays are particularly apparent in lack of core strength, proximal stability, and upper extremity coordination.   Based on years of clinical experience, literature review and personal published research, the instructor will offer some unique perspectives on reflex integration and functional movement patterns, emphasizing the importance of gravity and vestibular function to normal development.
Along with other treatment strategies, gravity can be used by therapists to enhance development, especially in the areas of sensory motor processing, antigravity integration and motor coordination. A variety of intervention strategies that engage vestibular mechanisms and take advantage of gravitational influences, including some innovative equipment, will be discussed and demonstrated via labs and video presentation.  ​ 
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Course materials include PowerPoint handouts, Lab Sheets and an Appendix with Bibliography.
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For a video overview go to: Using Gravity Course Overview

(5:10 contact hours of video; 1 hour practical experience)
Module 1: Role of Gravity in Human Development (56:20)
Module 2: Clinical Indicators of Dysfunction - Ages & Stages (34:10)
Module 3: Basic Elements of Treatment (27:18)
Module 4-1: Floor Lab-Activities in Prone (38:05)
Module 4-2: Floor Lab-Activities in Supine & Rolling (37:56)
Module 5: Clinical Reasoning in Treatment (58:11)
Module 6-3: Floor Activities in Creeping (25:03)
Module 6-4: Floor Activities in Sitting/Course Summary (31:46)