Building Best Practices-Continuing the Conversation

Tiffani Dixon, Early Intervention Specialist, discusses the difference between Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and intrauterine substance exposure.  She shares common challenges for families dealing with NAS and discusses strategies that can be used to help sooth infants and toddlers with NAS.  

Sam Davidson, speaker, author, and entrepreneur, discusses the importance of self-care, servant leadership, and team building in providing higher quality services.  He emphasizes the importance of pursing a healthy life balance to reduce stress and the underlying passion and core talents that many early interventionists have that can set them up for success.

TRIAD Educational Consultants, LaTamara Garrett, M.Ed., BCBA and Kristin Dorris, SLP, discuss strategies to increase caregiver engagement and participation while balancing professional coaching and modeling in early intervention. Learn about the 3 main components of practice-based coaching, some specific coaching strategies that can be applied to each of these components, and some of the characteristics of adult learning that are important aspects of caregiver and provider coaching. 

Jessica Stollings, speaker, author, and president of ReGenerations, discusses generational differences that can impact perspectives and communication breakdowns that lead to points of friction in the workplace.  She shares strategies for improving communication and collaboration across generations and how to use a generational lens to connect with individuals of all generations.

Jennifer Kelly, PT, DPT, discusses the developmental milestones of typical gross motor skills, pre-requisite skills to walking, and insight to what may have caused an overall increase in gross motor delays in infants. She provides some warning signs of atypical development and when to refer a child for a PT evaluation.  

Jennifer Henderson, SLP, discusses the developmental milestones of speech and language from birth to three, including examples of receptive language, expressive language, and articulation.  She also offers strategies early interventionists can use when working with early language learners.

Dayna Jones, OT, discusses a variety of skills that occupational therapists can target in early intervention such a fine motor, visual-motor, sensory processing, and self-care skills. She also identifies a variety of red flags that might warrant a referral to occupational therapy.  

Connie Casha, M.Ed., director of MTSU’s Early Learning Program, discusses the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) on early brain development and how this can influence children later in life.  She emphasizes the importance of increasing executive functioning, building strong connections, reducing toxic stress, and the role that early interventionists can play in helping families overcome ACES.

Chuck Carringer, executive coach and trainer, discusses factors that impact performance in the workplace, strategies for increasing employee engagement, and the importance of giving effective feedback, especially when working across a multigenerational workforce.

Alison Peak, LCSW and Clinical Infant Mental Health Mentor discusses “ghosts and angels” in the nursery that impact parenting styles, the importance of building relationships with caregivers, and strategies for approaching parents who may have a history of adverse childhood experiences.  She offers suggestions on building rapport and meeting caregivers in a place of curiosity in order to build trust with families and maximize progress.