Cognition and Brain Injury

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this two-day professional development opportunity for intermediate to advanced rehabilitation practitioners. This course focuses on the role of cognition and its impact on the recovery journey for individuals within acute and community settings.

What you’ll learn:

• How brain injury affects daily function, learning, attention, memory, executive functions and behavioural regulation

• Explore different rehabilitation approaches applied to mild versus severe brain injury to support rehabilitation planning and goal setting

• Practical strategies and tools to integrate functional activities into cognitive therapy

• Understanding of recovery predictors and the role of neuroplasticity in rehabilitation

• Potential directions for cognitive rehabilitation within different settings and stages of recovery

Topics covered include:

• Neurobiology of brain injury -traumatic and vascular brain injuries

• Concussions and post-concussive syndrome

• Impaired consciousness, low arousal and post-traumatic amnesia in early brain injury

• Assessment and treatment of attention, memory, executive functions, and meta-cognition

• Exploration of standardised and functional cognitive assessments

• Applying cognitive rehabilitation approaches across acute to community settings

Included:

An extensive resource manual packed with tools, templates, and practical guides to support your mahi (work).

Introduction to Clinical Cognition: Theory and Functional Application for Occupational Therapists

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this two-day course designed for Occupational Therapists working across a wide range of clinical environments. The goal of this course is to build confidence in identifying cognitive domains that affect occupational performance. This course will compare and contrast the use of screenings, domain-specific, and occupational performance-based assessments that assist Occupational Therapists to develop practical clinical reasoning skills to guide their approach to assessment and design intervention for clients with cognitive impairments.

What you’ll learn:

• How to recognise common cognitive presentations associated with a wide range of diagnoses including; dementia, delirium, stroke, TBI, addictions, mental health diagnoses, intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders.

• The difference between cognitive screening, domain-specific assessments, and occupational performance assessments

• Practical clinical reasoning skills to guide assessment, intervention planning, and therapy delivery

• Strategies for linking cognitive assessment to functional goals and everyday tasks

Topics covered include:

• Theoretical frameworks of cognition within occupational therapy. Understanding attention, information processing, memory, executive function, perception, and meta-cognition

• Top-down and bottom-up theories - what does this mean? Domain-specific impairments versus occupation-based activity and participation

• Understanding common clinical presentations related to a range of diagnoses

• Review reasons why OTs might assess cognition

• Explore permanent vs temporary cognitive changes - different treatment approaches/ and different associated risks. 

• Analysing cognitive function in ADL tasks. Linking assessment results to functional interventions - practical case studies 

• How to develop an assessment plan.Selecting and applying appropriate assessment tools. The roles of standardised and functional assessment

• Improving assessment results validity

• Understanding reporting requirements – how to translate and communicate assessment findings

• Navigating the challenges of working with complex or comorbid clients

• Explore Implications of changing cognition, including impact on occupational roles and activities, legal, risk etc

• Discuss how to develop appropriate client-centred goals using evidence-based practice to support occupational performance for people with cognitive impairment

Included:

A detailed course manual filled with resources, templates, and practical tools to support your mahi (work) in clinical practice

Dementia Study Day

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this one-day course supporting health professionals and carers working with individuals affected by dementia. This study day combines current evidence with practical approaches to enhance quality of life and promote meaningful engagement across all stages of dementia.

What you’ll learn:

• Understanding different types of dementia, clinical presentations and progressions

• The impact of cognitive and behavioural changes on everyday function

• Practical strategies for assessment, communication, and care planning

• How to maintain client independence for as long as possible

• Support strategies for whānau (families) and caregivers

Topics covered include:

• Introduction to Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, and other less common types.

• Mild Cognitive Impairment Stage – Its importance in early diagnosis and management  

• Changing cognition and its impact on function, safety and risk management

• Assessment of cognitive, sensory, and behavioural challenges

• Therapeutic approaches to maximise function and wellbeing

• The role of activities and enriched environments

• Promoting functional independence through environmental and task adaptations

• Communication techniques for working with clients at different stages of dementia

• Managing behavioural symptoms with dignity and respect

• Different professional roles and working as a team

• Navigating family and caregiver support needs

• Planning for the future, including transitioning into care placements  

Included:

A comprehensive resource manual packed with assessment templates, communication tools, and practical intervention ideas for your mahi (work).

Managing Progressive Neurological Disorders

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this two-day course designed for health professionals and carers working with people living with progressive neurological conditions. Through a mix of case studies, practical workshops, and current best practice, this course focuses on maximising client independence and enhancing quality of life.

What you’ll learn:

• Core principles of managing progressive conditions like Parkinson’s Disease, Motor Neuron Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington’s Disease, and Dementia

• Practical strategies for supporting function across changing stages of illness

• How to promote engagement, independence, and wellbeing for clients and their whānau (families)

• Approaches to interdisciplinary rehabilitation planning and service delivery

• Navigating clinical decision-making in the context of progressive decline

Topics covered include:

• Overview of major progressive neurological conditions and trajectories

• Understanding the impact of changing cognition on function, planning and safety

• Assessment and goal setting across stages of disability

• Nursing considerations, nutrition, feeding and swallowing

• Physical management considerations, e.g. mobility tone and biomechanical care

• Environmental and therapeutic strategies to support function and participation

• Managing complex multidisciplinary care needs with respect and client-centred practice

• Collaborative working with clients, families, and service providers

• Practical planning for the future, including: housing, equipment, financial and legal issues

Included:

A detailed course manual offering frameworks, checklists, and practical tools to support your mahi (work) in real-world rehabilitation settings.

Multidisciplinary Management of the Hemiplegic Upper Limb

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this one-day course designed for therapy assistants, nurses, care staff and junior therapists new to physical rehabilitation to gain greater awareness of primary and secondary neuro and musculoskeletal problems that occur in the upper limb following brain injury. This course reviews how to effectively manage the compromised and painful neuro upper limb, and attendees will be able to return to their units and work together to follow or develop with therapists interdisciplinary protocols that ensure appropriate use of positioning, handling, stretches, use of supports, and help direct functional rehabilitation tasks.

This course has been designed especially as a follow-up to Therapist attendance at the 3-day Rehabilitation of the Neurological Limb course.

What you’ll learn:

• Normal function of the upper – the motor and somatosensory systems

• Primary and secondary problems following brain injury

• Review of anatomy of the upper limb- joints, scapula, shoulder girdle, rotator cuff and upper muscles of arm

• Subluxation, Pain and tonal changes

• Therapy treatment goals

• Facilitating change in your unit – working towards best practice protocols

Topics covered include:

• Practical gym-based afternoon session includes

• Techniques for safely mobilising and ranging the upper limb

• Review of upper limb supports

• Positioning

• Stretches

Included:

A detailed course manual offering frameworks, checklists, and practical tools to support your mahi (work) in real-world rehabilitation settings.

Principles of Assessment in Neurological Rehabilitation

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this two-day foundation course for therapists and health practitioners new to neurological or physical rehabilitation settings. This course focuses on developing core assessment skills needed to work confidently with clients affected by neurological and complex physical impairments. This course features a hands-on client assessment session.

This course is limited to 18 places only.

What you’ll learn:

• Review of the neurobiology and presentation of stroke, traumatic brain injury and of neuro-medical conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Motor Neurone disease.

• Neurological lesion sites and their functional implications- what you might expect to see?

• Common impairments and functional challenges in clients with brain injury  - motor, sensory, visual, perceptual, cognitive, behavioural, psychological, communication and interpersonal

• Selecting appropriate standardised, functional and observational assessment tools in a range of different practice environments 

• Building confidence in working with clients with complex presentations

Topics covered include:

• Prediction of impairments and common presentation from the provided diagnosis. Lobes and the regions of the brain and their roles in function.

• Motor system dysfunction and basic motor assessment

• Basics of cognitive assessment and common cognitive presentations

• Planning and getting started – how to prioritise assessment, especially in acute settings.

• Differential diagnosis – understanding hierarchy of assessment, especially in cognitive and perceptual assessment

• Linking assessment findings to client-centred goals and interventions- planning the next stage

• Practical strategies for assessment across acute, rehabilitation, and community settings

Included:

A comprehensive course manual featuring templates, checklists, and assessment guides to support your mahi (work) in clinical practice.

Rehabilitation of the Neurological Upper Limb

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this three-day intensive course for therapists working with clients who have neurological upper limb impairments. This practical course is designed to build clinical reasoning, assessment skills, and intervention planning for restoring function after brain injury, stroke, or other neurological conditions. We aim to increase confidence in the assessment of and handling of the upper limb, learn principles of biomechanical management and how to use different approaches to encourage movement and function. This course includes 3 practical sessions with neuro clients to complete assessment, trial different treatment approaches and explore how to apply learnings within your workplace.

What you’ll learn:

• Core neuroanatomy and the mechanisms underlying upper limb function including; joints, muscles, somatosensory functions and motor control theory

• Consequential impairments (neurological and biomechanical) associated with brain injury and neurological conditions 

• Assessment strategies and understanding key prognostic indicators and motor recovery patterns to aid clinical reasoning, treatment planning and goal setting required for  rehabilitation programs

• Combining current research and clinical guidelines with hands-on treatment techniques to promote motor recovery and function

Topics covered include:

• How to maximise potential for recovery by applying neuroscience and an understanding of how to best promote neurobiological changes during every therapeutic interaction. The role of practice, repetition and task-specific training

• Review of strength, muscle tone, pain and subluxation

• Sensation and sensory rehabilitation principles

• Planning individualised therapy programmes across different recovery stages

• Neuroscience-based critical review of a range of different neurorehabilitation approaches. Related key points to assist clinical reasoning when choosing a rehabilitation approach 

• Use of external aids, orthotics, and technology to assist rehabilitation

Included:

A detailed course manual filled with assessment guides, treatment frameworks, and practical tools to support your mahi (work) in neurological rehabilitation.

Stroke Study Day

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this one-day course focused on supporting health professionals working with clients following stroke. This course promotes a better understanding of the varied clinical presentations and common functional challenges linked with Stroke. Mechanisms of neural damage and repair will be explored, as well as evidence-informed neuro-rehabilitation concepts to maximise recovery. This study day is a broad-based introduction to stroke for a wide range of care and rehabilitation professionals and provides a base learning that links to further courses at Therapeutic Solutions Training, specialising in physical, cognitive and visual and vocational rehabilitation strategies to aid stroke survivors.

What you’ll learn:

• Pathophysiology of ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes- what happens in the brain

• Functional impacts across cognition, movement, vision, perceptual impairments (including neglect ) and communication challenges

• Neuroplasticity and its relation to rehabilitation and recovery following stroke. Every day, strategies that achieve rehabilitation goals

Topics covered include:

• Acute stroke and the early weeks – what to expect and acute treatments

• Vascular profiles – impairments linked to different types of strokes and how they affect function

• Upper limb disorders and management

• Sensory impairments

• Understanding neglect

• Communication

• Cognitive profiles

• Vision disorders and vision  rehabilitation

Included:

A detailed resource manual packed with assessment guides, practical tools, and evidence-based strategies to support your mahi (work).

Traumatic Brain Injury Study Day

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this one-day course designed for health professionals working with clients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study day covers the broad range of TBI impacts — from mild concussion through to severe injury — and offers practical strategies to support recovery and reintegration. This study day is a broad-based introduction to TBI  for a wide range of care and rehabilitation professionals and provides a base learning that links to further courses at Therapeutic Solutions Training, specialising in cognitive, visual, vocational and physical rehabilitation strategies to aid TBI survivors.

What you’ll learn:

·       Mechanisms of brain injury – brain changes following TBI

• Understanding the spectrum of TBI severity and common impairments- different TBI classifications

• Functional impacts across cognition, vision, movement, and behaviour

• Practical assessment tools for different stages of recovery

Topics covered include:

• Overview of TBI causes, classification, and recovery predictors

• Exploring the complexity of concussion

• Neurocognitive, behavioural, and sensory changes following TBI

• Post-traumatic amnesia – what is its relevance?

• Focusing on cognition – understanding changes and their impact on function, including ADLS and vocational return

• Learning after brain injury and changes in cognitive capacity

• Rehabilitation of executive functions

• Vision disorders and brain injury

• Understanding how to promote neuroplasticity  and recovery in everyday interactions

Included:

A comprehensive resource manual with assessment tools and practical resources to support your mahi (work).

Visual Dysfunction and Brain Injury: Practical Assessment and Rehabilitation Strategies

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this two-day course designed for therapists working in neurological rehabilitation. This course is designed to increase awareness of the impact of brain injury on effective visual processing, review the level of incidence of visual impairments, increase knowledge of the functional implications, learn how to screen for visual dysfunction and incorporate concepts of vision therapy into rehabilitation programs

What you’ll learn:

• How brain injury affects visual processing and function

• How to screen for visual dysfunction and recognise common impairments

• Practical strategies to incorporate vision therapy into rehabilitation programmes

• How visual dysfunction interacts with other sensory and motor impairments

• Guidelines for referral and collaboration with vision specialists

Topics covered include:

• Review of the anatomy of vision and the mature visual processing system

• Understanding normal vision

• Damage to the eye, optic nerve and visual processing centres 

• Resulting impairments –review of the optometric model

• Post-trauma vision syndrome and the effects of TBI on vision

• Vestibular system and vision – bimodal functions and spatial processing

• Stroke and Vision – diplopia, hemianopia and visual neglect

• Visual efficiency disorders

• Impact of impairments on function and rehabilitation programmes

• Driving and hemianopia

• Assessment- MDT roles  and collaborating with optometry and ophthalmology

• How to complete a screening assessment

• Developing guidelines and pathways for MDT management of brain injury-related visual dysfunction.  Safe practice techniques for allied health

• Treatment- vision therapy and practical exercise integration. Assistive prescriptions and supporting technology

Included:

A detailed resource manual providing screening tools, treatment strategies, and practical guides to support your mahi (work) in neurorehabilitation.

Visual Dysfunction and Brain Injury – Part 2: Applying ABI Guidelines and Practical Vision Therapy

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this one-day course designed for therapists who have previously completed the original Visual Dysfunction and Brain Injury course. This follow-up focuses on deepening your understanding of post-trauma vision syndromes and applying new, practical vision treatment techniques within rehabilitation programmes.

What you’ll learn:

• Review the most common visual impairments following stroke and TBI

• Explore Post Trauma Vision Syndrome and its impact on functional recovery

• Understand how the vestibular and visual systems interact in rehabilitation

• Apply acute assessment and management guidelines for visual symptoms post-injury

• Practise a range of functional vision exercises designed in collaboration with Behavioural Optometry specialists

Topics covered include:

• Spatial processing, visual stabilisation, and vestibular-visual rehabilitation

• Hemianopia rehabilitation approaches and considerations for driving

• Safe clinical practices for managing acute visual symptoms (e.g. diplopia)

• Therapy exercises and treatment options including prism glasses and binasal occlusion

• Indicators for onward referral to optometry or ophthalmology

Included:

A detailed course manual filled with assessment guides, therapy exercise resources, and practical tools to support your mahi (work) in neurological rehabilitation.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Brain Injury: Supporting Return to Work Success

Course Overview

Haere mai / Welcome to this one-day course exploring how brain injury impacts engagement in vocational activities. Designed for rehabilitation professionals and case managers, this study day focuses on recognising impairments, navigating workplace challenges, and supporting successful return-to-work outcomes for clients with neurological injuries.

What you’ll learn:

• Understand the mechanisms and classifications of brain injuries (concussion, PCS, moderate-to-severe TBI, vascular profiles)

• Identify common impairments that affect occupational performance in the workplace

• Apply practical assessment, education, and management strategies to promote employment success

• Work collaboratively with clients, employers, case managers, and whānau (families)

• Develop injury management plans and strategies to grade and support return to work

Topics covered include:

• Recognising brain injury in vocational settings

• Cognitive impacts on work performance and functional strategies to address them

• Predictors and inhibitors of successful return to work

• Client and employer requirements for rehabilitation planning

• Risk prediction and management in vocational rehabilitation

Included:

A comprehensive course manual with templates, frameworks, and practical tools to support your mahi (work) in vocational and neurological rehabilitation.