The D.I.R. model and its therapeutic techniques are designed to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other neuro-devleopmental issues become more engaged, flexible, and able to join in pleasurable interactions with their parents and others. This presentation will introduce you to the foundational components of DIR: “D” - The developmental milestones children must reach for optimal socio-emotional growth; “I” - assessing each child’s individual profile to accurately fit interventions to him or her; and “R” -using the relationship between the child and his or her family as the vehicle for growth. Techniques will be illustrated with clinical vignettes and videos. D.I.R. is an interdisciplinary model and psychotherapists, neurologists, psychiatrists, pediatricians, parents, occupational and speech therapists, teachers, social workers, and others working directly with children and families should attend.

Workshop Price: 150 CHF

Register via: Introduction to D.I.R. / Floortime For Parents, Teachers, and Therapists

Chad Kordt-Thomas, LCSW is a child and family psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco, California. He specializes in treating children of all ages with neuro-developmental challenges, such as Autism. Mr. Kordt-Thomas is an Assistant Faculty Member with the Profectum Organization. He consults regularly to schools and frequently presents on a variety of child and adolescent development topics to clinical agencies. He works closely with teachers, occupational and speech therapists, and other child development professionals. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Smith College, School of Social Work. He worked previously as a preschool and elementary school teacher. Mr. Kordt-Thomas received his MSW from Smith College, School for Social Work and his M.S. Ed. from Bank Street College of Education.

Floortime is one of many approaches to treating children with autism. You may have heard about it from other parents, or read about it online, but what is it exactly and how does it help children with autism? Floortime is designed to help children become more regulated, engaged, and able to join others in spontaneous back-and-forth interactions. This workshop will introduce you to the guiding principles of this modality. It will also help you understand how to begin using this approach at home, at school, or as part of other interventions. Additionally, it will introduce you to Floortime resources so that you can continue learning about this approach.  This afternoon workshop will be presented in English. Register via: Introduction to D.I.R. / Floortime For Parents, Teachers, and Therapists

If you are interested in the workshop presented in French please register for the morning workshop “Introduction au D.I.R. / Floortime”. 

Chad Kordt-Thomas, LCSW is a child and family psychotherapist in private practice in San Francisco, California. He specializes in treating children of all ages with neuro-developmental challenges, such as Autism. Mr. Kordt-Thomas is certified as a D.I.R. / Floortime Fellow with the Profectum Organization. He consults regularly to schools and frequently presents on a variety of child and adolescent development topics to clinical agencies. He works closely with teachers, occupational and speech therapists, and other child development professionals. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Smith College, School of Social Work. He worked previously as a preschool and elementary school teacher. Mr. Kordt-Thomas received his MSW from Smith College, School for Social Work and his M.S. Ed. from Bank Street College of Education. 

Le Floortime est l’une des nombreuses approches thérapeutiques destinées aux enfants présentant d’un trouble du spectre de l’autisme (TSA). Vous en avez peut-être entendu parler par d’autres parents ou lu des articles en ligne à ce sujet, mais en quoi cela consiste-t-il exactement et en quoi cela aide-t-il les enfants autistes ? Le Floortime aide l’enfant à réguler ses émotions, à faire preuve d'attention conjointe et à se joindre aux autres dans des interactions spontanées. Dans cette présentation, vous découvrirez les principes fondamentaux de cette méthode. Vous y apprendrez également comment commencer à mettre en œuvre cette approche à la maison, à l’école ou dans le cadre d’autres interventions. De plus, je vous présenterai différentes ressources sur le Floortime pour vous permettre d’en apprendre davantage sur cette approche. Cette présentation de 9:30-12:30 sera en français. Billets: Introduction au D.I.R. / Floortime pour les parents, les enseignants et les thérapeutes.

(If you are interested in attending this presentation in English, please register for the afternoon session: “Introduction to D.I.R. / Floortime For Parents, Teachers, and Therapists”.)

Chad Kordt-Thomas, LCSW est psychothérapeute (cabinet en liberal) à San Francisco, en Californie. Il est spécialisé dans la prise en charge des enfants de tous âges présentant des troubles neuro-développementaux, comme l’autisme. M. Kordt-Thomas est certifié D.I.R./Floortime Fellow par la Profectum Organization. Il intervient régulièrement auprès des écoles et anime fréquemment des séminaires sur divers sujets liés au développement de l’enfant et de l’adolescent. Il travaille en étroite collaboration avec les enseignants, les psychomotriciens, les orthophonistes et d’autres professionnels du développement de l’enfant. Il est également professeur auxiliaire adjoint au Smith College, School of Social Work. Avant cela, il a enseigné en écoles maternelle et primaire. M. Kordt-Thomas a obtenu son master en travail social clinique (MSW) du Smith College, School for Social Work, et son master en éducation (M.S. Ed.) du Bank Street College of Education.

Floortime is one of many approaches to treating children with autism. You may have heard about it from other parents, or read about it online, but what is it exactly and how does it help children with autism? Floortime is designed to help children become more regulated, engaged, and able to join others in spontaneous back-and-forth interactions. This workshop will introduce you to the guiding principles of this modality. It will also help you understand how to begin using this approach at home, at school, or as part of other interventions. Additionally, it will introduce you to Floortime resources so that you can continue learning about this approach.

Registration via:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/introduction-to-dir-floortime-for-parents-teachers-and-therapists-tickets-46989886014?aff=ws

Some children are just meant for camp and the activities it offers.   Other children struggle with the most basic aspects of going to camp.  Why do they behave the way they do?  What can we do about it? This workshop helps camp staff understand common reasons for children’s perplexing behaviors, how to help these children, and how to communicate effectively with parents. 

 I am a psychotherapist with many years experience teaching and consulting to schools and other programs.   

 Participants will learn strategies to address behavior problems in the day camp setting, such as: 

• Following directions
• Children who have trouble separating from parents at drop off
• Kids who get lost in the shuffle from one activity to the next
• Getting along with peers
• Keeping it together during unstructured times

 This workshop will also help you talk with parents about their children’s challenging behavior

 Who should participate in this group?

• Camp Directors
• Site Supervisors
• Lead Counselors
• Other Camp Staff

 Dates and Times: Saturday, June 3rd from 9:30am – 12:30pm
 Location:  3514 Geary Boulevard (Inner Richmond Neighborhood of San Francisco) 
 Fee:   $150
 To Sign Up:  Please call Chad Kordt-Thomas at 415-596-0293 or email chad@kordt-thomas.com
 Space is limited to nine people. 

 Private Consultation: If you are not able to attend the workshop, I am happy to provide consultation to you or your staff.  Please call the number above to arrange for an initial phone call.

Workshop Leader, Chad Kordt-Thomas, LCSW, MSW, MS.Ed.  

I am a child and family psychotherapist who works with children of all ages and with a range of challenges.  I treat children with developmental and learning disabilities, sensory-motor processing difficulties, and speech/language challenges. I worked previously as a preschool and elementary school teacher, education director of a children’s museum and of a children’s theater, and as a camp counselor.

Purpose of the Consultation Group

Working closely with young children and their families brings professionals into intimate relationships.  Pediatric occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other practitioners caring for families of young children call on a wide range of skills to make enduring positive change in children’s development.  Working with young children almost always includes working with parents, whether that is our focus or not.  However, supporting families through the child-parent relationship helps us get the most out of our interventions.

This consultation group will give providers an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day work with families and reflect on their interactions.  Reflection and discussion often leads to more clarity about the reasons we interact with families in particular ways and the ways families interact with us.  Moreover, attention to the child-parent relationship can make our interventions more powerful and effective.  We will also look at some of the challenges that come up in doing relationship-based work with families, such as:  

•    When parents’ desires seems at odds with what you think the child needs
•    Helping parents balance worry with hope
•    Parents’ frustration at child and/or at you
•    When parents bring up dilemmas outside your professional scope of work
•    The pressures that arise when paying attention to multiple perspectives

Who should participate in this group?

•    Occupational therapists
•    Speech language pathologists
•    Physical therapists
•    Family nurse practitioners and pediatric nurses
•    Home visitors
•    Educational therapists
•    Early childhood educators, site supervisors, and directors
•    Early childhood special educators
•    Child and family therapists
•    Others working directly with young children and families

Dates and Times     Group will meet for 8 weeks.  Please check back for fall, 2014 dates and times.

Location             3514 Geary Boulevard (Inner Richmond Neighborhood of San Francisco)

Fee                      $300

To Sign Up        Please call Chad Kordt-Thomas at 415-596-0293 or email chad@kordt-thomas.com

Group Facilitator, Chad Kordt-Thomas, LCSW, MSW, MS.Ed.

I am a child and family psychotherapist who works with children of all ages and with a range of challenges.  I specialize in working with very young children and their families and children with developmental and learning disabilities, sensory-motor processing difficulties, and speech/language challenges.  I provide infant-parent and child-parent psychotherapy, as well as individual child therapy.  In this capacity, I work closely with other early childhood and family professionals. I worked previously as an early childhood mental health consultant, facilitator of developmental-therapeutic playgroups, therapeutic shadow, and preschool teacher.

Endorsed as an Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist
by the California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health

I am pleased to be offering an Interdisciplinary Reflective Practice Consultation Group for San Francisco professionals who work with young children and their families. This group is designed for ECE professionals; speech, occupational, and mental health therapists; home visitors; and others working with young children. Please see the attached flyer and share with colleagues. Thank you.

If you are interested in registering for this workshop please complete the web form below.  Thank you.