Healing Trauma Wounds through the Integration of Behavioral, Social Emotional and Sensory Understanding of Young Children

When young children experience trauma, assessing the impact and treatment requires multiple disciplines perspectives with a keen grip of early childhood development. In this workshop, a seasoned pediatric occupational therapist and mental health therapist will share, through case examples and group discussion, how development becomes derailed, the need for cross collaboration of services and implementation of effective treatment while caring for the whole family. 

Learning Objectives:

• 1.       Participants will be able to identify at least two behavioral reactions in young childhood which could indicate traumatic experience, sensory sensitivity or an interaction of both.
• 2.       Participants will be able to describe how traumatic events in childhood impact the sensory system.
• 3.       Participants will be able to identify at least two strategies that can be done in a home or office setting to address tactile reactivity.

Rebecca Molitor considers herself fortunate to do every day what she is most passionate about...partnering with individuals and families to connect and reconnect with each other and themselves through gaining understanding, acceptance and creating changes in a compassionate manner.  After working as a therapist in child social services for over a decade, Rebecca branched into private practice specializing in work with children from birth into adulthood, with an emphasis on attachment, trauma, mindfulness and self-acceptance.  She has been involved in Illinois Early Intervention since 2000 as a Developmental Therapist, Psychological Service Provider and Evaluator, and currently as the Social Emotional Consultant for CFC 21 and 22.  Rebecca has presented on a variety of topics related to prenatal attachment, development, children, working with families, and provider self-nurturance throughout Illinois to schools, community groups and agencies, home visiting programs and conferences.  Most recently, Rebecca has ventured into the prenatal world, becoming one of the first certified Prenatal Bonding (BA) Facilitators and trainer-in-training for the United States.  

Kim David is a pediatric occupational therapist with 18 years experience, specializing working with children birth to three.  Kim is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, CIMI.  She feels massage is beneficial in assisting children that have experienced trauma with bonding and self regulation. Kim also has expertise with sensory processing disorders, feeding disorders, and a variety of diagnoses; including Autism, genetic disorders, NAS, and developmental delay.  Kim especially enjoys working in early intervention because of the ability to work with children and families in their natural environment, “Providing support and integrating learning opportunities into daily routines is a key to success”. 

Social Work and Counseling CEUs are available. This training has been approved for Early Intervention credits: 1 hour Atypical Development and 1 hour Intervention. This seminar is co-sponsored by the Center for Practice Excellence at JCFS-Chicago.