'Brains In Motion' presentation gives GU students new teaching tools

Published: March 01, 2024

Author: Dave Bell

Greenville University School of Education students learned how to help students with special needs process information after listening to a lecture by representatives of Brains In Motion, a therapeutic center in Springfield, Illinois.

Two members of the Brains In Motion staff – Callie Estes and Sara Thompson – came to campus to tell future teachers about the company’s occupational, speech, physical, and behavioral therapy services. The focus of the presentation was occupational therapy techniques.

“Occupational therapy focuses on everyday life activities to promote health, wellness, and the ability to participate in the important activities of life,” said Thompson. “We do that by breaking down activities into smaller steps so students can integrate them into their lives and enhance their overall well-being.”

The center’s goal, according to Brains In Motion literature, is to provide support to adults, children, and families “to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable.” During the presentation, Estes and Thompson showed GU students several learning aids, physical adaptation accessories, and comfort items that can be used to help individuals with behavioral, emotional, or sensory challenges.

Crystal Foles, director of teacher education at GU, said the presentation helped the future teachers better understand the needs and learning patterns of students with autism and other learning disabilities.

“We want to expose our students to services like Brains In Motion,” she said. “It gives them more knowledge about what is available in the field of education to help students facing these challenges.”

The Brains In Motion presentation is one of several experiential learning opportunities offered to GU School of Education students this semester.