AMS Learning Live: Meeting the Unique Movement Needs of Children with Disabilities

1.5 CPDs   Run Time 1:00:18

In this session, we will explore the importance of movement for all children, uncovering why Dr. Montessori placed it at the core of her pedagogy. We will then deep dive into the unique needs of children with disabilities. Understanding behavior as communication, we will discuss the key role of observation and what to look for as red flags. In the same line, we will consider the use of Montessori materials as diagnostic and therapeutic tools to adapt the learning experience and thereby meet different movement needs. Finally, we will see how connecting with specialists as part of an interdisciplinary approach can help promote inclusion in the classroom and beyond.

Barbara Luborsky is a pediatric occupational therapist with many years of experience working with children of all ages. Her work has focused on children with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing challenges, ADHD, learning differences and trauma. She has worked in public and private schools and preschools in Maryland and Washington DC, as well as in the Infants and Toddlers program in Frederick County MD. Following her OT training, Barbara was a Research Fellow at the Georgetown University Hospital Child Development Center, where she earned a Certificate in Infant Toddler Specialization. She has been involved in the Montessori community first as a parent and later as an OT, a consultant and presenter, since 1996. Barbara owns and operates her clinic, Way to Grow, which opened in 2002, and is Co-founder and Co-director of the Montessori Medical Partnership for Inclusion, which was founded in 2018. MMPI is dedicated to increasing capacity for inclusion of more children in Montessori communities across the globe. Since it opened in 2018, the MMPI website has had more than 20,000 visitors from over 100 countries. The website provides resources and information about MMPI inclusion courses.

 Barbara Murphy is passionate about education and a life-long learner. Driven by this passion, she completed a PhD from Northwestern University and a Montessori certificate from the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Her other passion are her children. She became a mother while living in Milan, Italy, and that’s how she discovered Montessori education and she instantly fell in love with it. Then she moved to Miami, Florida, where her Montessori journey started in the area of physical development, as she worked to bring a more authentic approach to movement and exercise in Montessori. Nourished by the love and support from our community, and inspired by its changing needs, her vision then expanded to capture the more holistic idea of wellness. It also evolved to focus more directly on her core purpose in life: education. Now as the founder of Montessori Wellness, Barbara is writing the next chapter in her Montessori adventure. Her mission is to promote a deeper understanding of the connections between Montessori pedagogy and wellness practices, so as to support the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of children and adults alike.

This webinar was originally presented at TME 2022.