Barriers to Engagement in Learning & What You Can Do About Them

Credit

Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Justin Lyons, MS, OTR/L Related seminars and products

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Justin Lyons, MS, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist and professional life coach specializing in motivation, executive functioning, and social-emotional development. As founder of Special Connects, he designs innovative social and fitness programs that blend movement, play, and sensory-motor experiences to build connection and confidence. Certified as an ADHD Clinical Services Provider and Clinical Primitive Reflex Specialist, Justin brings a dynamic, neuroscience-informed approach to therapy—integrating evidence-based practice with humor, creativity, and a passion for helping clients thrive.
  

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Justin Lyons is the owner of Special Connects, LLC. He is an independent contractor with the New York Department of Education. Justin Lyons receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Justin Lyons has no relevant non-financial relationships.

 

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Objectives

1. Identify environmental barriers (e.g., seating, sensory input, classroom setup) that impact student attention, participation, and occupational performance.
2. Apply Universal Design and low-cost sensory, movement, and executive-function strategies to improve engagement in school-based settings.
3. Analyze how social-emotional supports and growth mindset tools can enhance participation, confidence, and equitable access to learning.

Outline

Get Set for Success

• Common barriers for bright, busy students
• The role of attention, executive function, and social-emotional participation
• Universal Design for Learning as a guiding framework

Physical & Environmental Design

• “Day in the life” of a busy body in school
• Flexible seating: when, how, and for whom it works
• Movement integration and sensory supports that boost attention
• Executive-function scaffolds: visual schedules, checklists, timers
• Evidence-base, limitations and risks

Social-Emotional & Growth Mindset Supports

• Peer dynamics, self-esteem, and social pressures in adolescents
• Strategies: growth mindset scripts, team building, collaborative activities
• Creating a supportive classroom culture

Integrating Supports for Lasting Impact

• Combine environmental, movement, sensory, executive-function, and social-emotional tools
• Practical, low-cost approaches for daily classroom use
• Planning and reflection for individualized adaptation

Experiential Activity: Brain Break Boot Camp!

Target Audience

• Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• School Based Professionals
• Educators
• School Administrators
• Speech-Language Pathologists,
• Early Intervention Specialists
• Child Life Specialists
• School Psychologists
• Special Education Teachers
• Classroom Teachers (General and Elementary Education)
• Educational Consultants, Behavior Analysts,
• Pediatricians and Pediatric Specialists
• School Counselors
• Social Workers
• Physical Therapists