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Using the Building Blocks of Brain Development to Understand and Assess Learning Disabilities (On Demand Course)

 A Comprehensive model for specific learning disability evaluations Using the Building Blocks of Brain Development to Understand and Assess Learning Disabilities

 About this course

Using the Building Blocks to Brain Development is Understand and Assess Learning Disabilities On Demand Course is the first of two in a series that presents the Building Blocks of Brain Development as a framework for building a body of evidence for Specific Learning Disability eligibility and to inform IEP development.

This course is made up of 19 videos spread across 6 modules. Estimated completion time to watch all the videos is four and half hours. 

After viewing the modules, viewers can complete a brief evaluation and quiz to receive a certificate for five (5) hours of CDE recertification credit

Module 1 - Introduction to Building Blocks Brain Model (BBM) and Specific Learning Disability (SLD)

Module 1 consists of four videos.

Module 1 Key Takeaways (PDF)

Module 1.1 - Introduction: The "Why" A Framework For Our Professional Practice

Duration: 9.5 minutes

The goal of Module 1.1 is to understand the general structure and purpose of the course. 

Watch Video 1.1

Module 1.2 - Guidepost 1:  Understanding The Brain in Special Education Evaluations

Duration: 14.5 minutes

After watching this video participants will: 

  • ​understand "why" it is important to understand the brain;  
  • have an appreciation for complexity and how the brain works; 
  • understand student differences from a neurogontive perspective

Watch Video 1.2

Module 1.3 - Guidepost 2: The 3-Factor Model Ensuring a Comprehensive Evaluation

Duration: 12.5 minutes

After watching this video participants will learn: 

  • What is the 3-Factor Model?
  • What are the three key areas of the model?
  • What is are some benefits of the 3-Factor Model

Watch Video 1.3

Module 1.4 - Guidepost 3: Introduction to Brain Building Blocks Model (BBBM)

Duration: 15 minutes

After watching this video participants will: 

  • Understand the Building Blocks Brain Model (BBBM)
  • The importance of the BBBM in SLD evaluations
  • Why we combine the 3-Factor and BBBM models in evaluations

Watch Video 1.4

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Module 2 - The Fundamental Processes

Module 2 is composed of six videos. 

Module 2 Key Takeaways (PDF)

Module 2.1 - A Deeper Dive: The Fundamental Processes

Duration: 9 minutes

Module 2.1 Learning Outcomes: 

  • Importance of the Foundation Blocks
  • Five Basic Blocks Explainer
  • 3-Factors to Consider for All Modules

Watch Video 2.1

Module 2.2 - Deeper Dive: Memory

Duration: 12 minutes

Module 2.2 Learning Outcomes: 

  • Why is memory critical for ALL learning? 
  • Behavioral and academic "Look-Fors"
  • How to properly assess memory

Watch Video 2.2

Module 2.3 - Deep Dive: Processing Speed

Duration: 12 minutes

Module 2.3 Learning Outcomes

  • Understand processing speed and why is it critical for learning
  • How processing speed differs from other fundamental cognitive blocks
  • Understand behavioral and academic "Look-Fors"
  • How to properly assess processing speed

Watch Video 2.3

Module 2.4 - Deep Dive: Attention

Duration: 16 minutes

Module 2.4 Learning Outcomes

  • Why is attention critical for ALL learning? 
  • Behavioral and academic "Look-Fors" 
  • How to properly assess attention

Watch Video 2.4

Module 2.5 - Deep Dive: Inhibition 

Duration: 16 minutes

Module 2.5 Learning Outcomes:

  • Why is inhibition critical for learning? 
  • Behavioral and academic "Look-Fors" 
  • How to properly assess inhibition 

Watch Video 2.5

Module 2.6 - Deep Dive: Sensory Motor

Duration: 16.5 minutes

Module 2.6 Learning Outcomes:

  • What are sensory and motor functions? 
  • Behavioral and academic "Look-Fors"
  • How to properly assess sensory and motor functions

Watch Video 2.6

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Module 3 - The Intermediate Processes

This module is comprised of three videos.

Module 3 Key Takeaways (PDF)

Module 3.1 - Intermediate Processes: Language Processes

Duration: 16 minutes

Module 3.1 Learning Outcomes:

  • How the brain's intermediate processes are different from its fundamental processes? 
  • What the "Look-Fors" are for students that have difficulty with language processes? 
  • How to properly assess language difficulties. 

Watch Video 3.1

Module 3.2 - Intermediate Processes: New Learning

Duration: 17.5 minutes

Module 3.2 Learning Outcomes:

  • How does new learning take place? 
  • What are the "Look-Fors" for students that have difficulty with new learning? 
  • How to properly assess specific learning deficits. 

Watch Video 3.2

Module 3.3 - Intermediate Processes: Visual-Spatial

Duration: 16 Minutes

Module 3.3 Learning Outcomes:

  • What are the visual-spatial processes?
  • What are the "Look-Fors" for students that have difficulty with visual-spatial processes?
  • How to properly assess visual-spatial deficits.

Watch Video 3.3

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Module 4: Higher Order Processes

Module 4 contains two videos.

Module 4 Key Takeaways (PDF)

Module 4.1 - Higher Order Processes: Social Emotional Competencies

Duration: 17 minutes

Module 4.1 Learning Outcomes:

  • What are higher order processes? 
  • What are the "Look-Fors" for students that have difficulty with social-emotional difficulties? 
  • How to properly assess social-emotional deficits

Watch Video 4.1

Module 4.2 - Higher Order Processes: Executive Functioning

Duration: 16.5 minutes

Module 4.2 Learning Outcomes:

  • What are the Executive Functions? 
  • What are the "Look-Fors" for students that have executive functioning difficulties? 
  • How to properly assess for Executive Function issues. 

Watch Video 4.2

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Module 5 - Overall Functioning and Achievement

Module 5 Key Takeaways (PDF)

Module 5.1 - Overall Functioning And Case Study

Duration: 19.5 minutes

Module 5.1 Learning Outcomes:

  • Why is the top BBB Model called "what" block? 
  • Why the "convergence" of data is essential in evaluations?
  • Why we return to the fundamental level of the BBBM when the capstone block indicates academic struggles or deficits.

Watch Video 5.1

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Module 6 - BBBM and Reading, Math and Writing Disorders

Module 6 contains three videos. 

Module 6 Key Takeaways (PDF)

Module 6.1 - BBBM and Reading Disorders 

Duration: 17.5 mintues

Module 6.1 Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the common Fundamental neurocognitive deficits related to reading disorders
  • Understand which Higher Order block is linked to reading

Watch Video 6.1

Module 6.2 BBBM and Math Disorders

Duration: 16 minutes

Module 6.2 Learning Outcomes:

  • Understand the common Fundamental neurocognitive deficits related to math disorders.
  • Know the Higher Order blocks that are linked to math disorders

Watch Video 6.2

Module 6.3 BBBM and Writing Disorders

Duration: 14.5 minutes

Module 6.3 Learning Outcomes:

  • What are the common Fundamental neurocognitive deficits related to writing disorders.
  • Name one Higher Order block that is linked to writing.

Watch Video 6.3

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Course Evaluation & Certificate 

To receive a certificate for this training please complete a brief evaluation and 12 question quiz. If you complete the quiz with 10 out of 12 questions correct you will be emailed a personalized CDE Clock Hour Certificate for five (5) hours of recertification credit. If you do not pass the quiz, you will receive an email with feedback and a link to try again. Please note that emails may take up to 60 minutes to arrive. To ensure you receive the email please add the domain "Smartsheets.com" to your safe senders list.


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