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Digital Seminar

Inside the Neurodivergent Brain: Structure, Chemistry & Circuits


Speaker:
Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS
Duration:
1 Hour 38 Minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
Sep 05, 2025
Product Code:
POS065657
Media Type:
Digital Seminar


Description

Why do some clients push through loud environments while others shut down? Why do certain transitions lead to meltdowns, while others are handled with ease? And how can the same client appear capable one moment—and completely dysregulated the next?

The answers lie in the neurobiology of attention, regulation, and sensory processing.

In this highly practical, clinician-focused session, you’ll explore the core neurological differences in ADHD and Autism—including brain chemistry, sensory processing pathways, and executive function networks—and how they directly influence behavior, learning, and participation.

We’ll break down the roles of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, explore the brain’s attention systems (like the prefrontal cortex and salience network), and examine how these systems drive the functional challenges rehab professionals address every day: poor inhibition, sensory avoidance, task refusal, emotional reactivity, and inconsistent performance.

You’ll leave with a brain-based lens for clinical reasoning that helps you understand the “why” behind your client’s actions—and adapt your interventions with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Credit

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.



* Credit Note - **

NOTE: Tuition includes one free CE Certificate (participant will be able to print the certificate of completion after passing the online post-test (80% passing score) and completing the evaluation). Instructional methods will include PowerPoint, didactic lecture, and others.

Continuing Education Information:  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Program content is reviewed periodically per accrediting board rules for currency and appropriateness for credit. Credit approvals are subject to change. Please note, your state licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education, as well as which credit types are acceptable for continuing education hours. Please refer to your state rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. 
For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact info@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before purchase.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession.  As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.  

For Planning Committee disclosures, please see the statement above.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.


* Credit Note - ---

Earn up to 1.5 CE hours. Please see below, for more details, as credit amounts vary by state and profession. 


Physical Therapists - Alaska Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 1.5 continuing education credit hours for Alaska Physical Therapists. The Board Rule 12 AAC 54.420 confirms acceptance of continuing education programs that are recognized by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approval agency to approve providers.


Physical Therapists - Arizona Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. The Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy recognizes continuing competence activities that have been approved by any state PT association or national medical/health care association (e.g., AOTA, ASHA). This self-study activity consists of 1.5 clock hours of instruction applicable for physical therapists.


Physical Therapists - California Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approval agency to approve providers. This self-study lecture qualifies for 1.5 continuing competency hours.


Physical Therapists - Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study course consists of 1.5 clock hours of instruction that is applicable for physical therapists. CE requirements for physical therapists vary by state/jurisdiction. Please retain the certificate of completion that you receive and use as proof of completion when required.


Physical Therapists - Illinois Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270. This self-study course qualifies for 1.5 CE credit hours.


Physical Therapists - Kentucky Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study course consists of 1.5 continuing education credit hours. For Kentucky licensees, according to 201 KAR 22:045, this self-study educational offering may be applied toward Category 2 continued competency requirements.  Please review the regulation to determine eligibility. 


Physical Therapists - New York Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department, State Board for Physical Therapy as an approved provider for physical therapy and physical therapy assistant continuing education. This self-study course qualifies for 1.9 contact hours.


Physical Therapists - North Carolina Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

PESI, Inc. is an approved provider with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation, Provider Number: 216.000270. This intermediate course is approved by the North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners by virtue of PESI Inc. approved provider status with the Illinois Division of Professional Regulation. This course qualifies for 1.5 continuing education hours.


Physical Therapists - Oklahoma Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This asynchronous activity consists of 1.5 continuing education credit hours for Oklahoma Physical Therapists. Oklahoma Administrative Code 435:20-9-3.1 confirms acceptance of continuing education programs offered by providers approved by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.


Physical Therapists - Pennsylvania Physical Therapists and Assistants

The Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy recognizes approval by all other state boards. This self-study activity consists of 1.5 clock hours of instruction that is applicable for physical therapists.


Physical Therapists - Texas Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

This self-study activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider #2706032TX and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas. Instructional Level: Intermediate . This activity will provide 1.5 CCUs. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.


Physical Therapists - Utah Physical Therapists And Physical Therapist Assistants

This course is designed to meet the Utah DOPL Rule R156-24b-303b.2.c.iv - A commercial continuing education provider providing a course related to the practice of physical therapy. Please retain a copy of the advertising brochure and your certificate of completion to provide to your board should this be requested of you. This self-study activity consists of 1.5 clock hours of continuing education instruction.


Physical Therapists - Vermont Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants

CE credit is available. This course consists of 1.5 continuing education credit hours for Vermont Physical Therapists. The Board confirms acceptance of continuing education programs that are recognized by other state physical therapy licensing boards. PESI, Inc. is a Registered Physical Therapy Continuing Education Sponsor through the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Division of Professional Regulation. License #: 216.000270.


Physical Therapists - Virginia Physical Therapists & Physical Therapy Assistants

CE credit is available. This self-study course consists of 1.5 hours of type 2 continued competency credit for Virginia Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants. Regulation 18VAC112-20-131, Section B, (2) states that up to ten type 2 continued competency credits can be earned by completing independent study activities related to the clinical practice of physical therapy. 


Other Professions

This self-study activity qualifies for 1.5 continuing education clock hours as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.



Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS's Profile

Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS Related seminars and products

Health Sphere Wellness Center


Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT, CH, CFPS, has a doctorate in physical therapy and has practiced for 40 years in the field. Dr. Pryor is the owner of Health Sphere Wellness Center, an integrative therapy clinic in Nashville, Tennessee. Involved with early intervention in the birth-three population for over 30 years, she has developed neuroplasticity techniques that are used in a wide variety of settings, including homes, childcare centers, and school systems, to advanced pediatric therapy programs.

Dr. Pryor serves on several boards, including the Leadership Interagency Council for Early Intervention (2014-2019), a position to which she was appointed by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. In 2010, she received the President's Volunteer Service Award for her contributions to the advanced treatment of children from President Barack Obama. In addition to her work with children, Dr. Pryor has served as an adjunct professor at the Tennessee State University Occupational Therapy Assistant program. She is a clinical instructor for several universities and colleges. With her years of experience and passion for complete wellness, Dr. Pryor advances a more expansive view of how to integrate therapy throughout the lifespan by using neuroplasticity techniques.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Karen Pryor is the owner of Health Sphere Wellness Center, LLC and is a field examiner for PDMS-3. She has employment relationships with Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Physical Therapy School, the Daymar Physical Therapy Assistant School and the Volunteer State Community College. She is a paid consultant for Evergreen Certifications. Karen Pryor receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Karen Pryor is a reviewer with Tennessee Physical Therapy Association and American Physical Therapy Association. She is an Ambassador for National Down Syndrome Society.


Additional Info

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepepesi.com


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info


Objectives

  1. Describe the role of key neurotransmitters in attention, regulation, and behavior in ADHD and Autism.
  2. Identify major neural networks involved in executive functioning and their clinical impact on therapy participation.
  3. Map neurological differences onto functional challenges such as inhibition, processing speed, sensory modulation, and motor planning.

Outline

I. Chemical Messengers & Cognitive Control

  • The roles of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in attention, motivation, arousal, and behavior
  • Neurochemical imbalances in ADHD and Autism—and their downstream effects
  • How neurotransmitter disruptions impact motor timing, reward-seeking, inhibition, and focus

II. Executive Networks of the Brain

  • Introduction to the brain’s major attention and regulation systems:
    • Prefrontal cortex
    • Default Mode Network (DMN)
    • Salience Network
  • How these networks affect:
    • Task initiation
    • Focus shifting
    • Impulse control
    • Emotional regulation
    • Time management and future thinking

III. Sensory Integration and Neural Processing Differences

  • Real-world translation: what therapists observe when sensory integration systems are over- or under-responsive
  • How altered sensory thresholds, sensory gating, and input processing affect behavior and participation
  • Brain regions and pathways involved in sensory modulation, including the thalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem

IV. Neurology in Action: Functional Implications in Therapy

  • Mapping brain-based differences onto observable challenges:
    • Processing speed
    • Motor planning
    • Emotional lability
    • Working memory and inhibition
  • Case examples of how neurology presents differently in ADHD vs. Autism
  • The foundation for behavior mapping and function-first intervention

Target Audience

  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Physical Therapists
  • Physical Therapy Assistants
  • Speech-Language Pathologists

Reviews

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