OUR HOME-BASED TRAININGS
We believe that children and adults with disabilities should learn, work, and play in the same environments as every other person. We acknowledge that realizing inclusivity across society requires education to change cultures, beliefs, behaviors, and standard practices. It is our commitment as a group of multidisciplinary experts to teach, serve, and support persons with disabilities and those who support them. Families, caregivers, teachers, employers, friends, and beneficiaries - we work with everyone!
Number of days/hours: 3 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This training explores problem behaviors and introduces effective behavior management strategies. It is recommended for parents and family members.
Number of days/hours: 4 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: The focus of this course is on inclusive preschool educational philosophy and the description of intellectual, physical, developmental, psychological, and behavioral disorders. Strategies for living successfully, behaviorally and independently, are covered.
Certification: Certification will be provided to those who attend a minimum of 90% of the total training and score at least 80% on the final exam.
Number of days/hours: 2 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: The first day of training focuses on sensory integration theory, sensory integration dysfunction, and general strategies/recommendations when working with children who have sensory issues. The second day focuses on teaching attendees how to make sensory toys from various second-hand materials and discussing how these toys can be used in activities. This is a basic course designed for parents and other direct-care providers.
Number of days/Hours: 2 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This course reviews age-related challenges/difficulties faced by the elderly and introduces effective strategies and techniques to support them. Training topics include the following: Fall Prevention, Stroke and Diabetes, Dementia, Alzheimer's, Prevention of Pressure Sores, Feeding Techniques, Transfers, and Ambulation Devices.
We offer parent-focused workshops for families on engaging their children at home and promoting their independence. This training is highly interactive and hands-on. Attendees also learn how to make toys with everyday, commonly-available materials and how to use them practically.
The following topics are covered: Introduction to Rehabilitation, Exploring Adaptive Devices, Understanding Positioning Techniques, Cultivating Independent Living Skills, Understaning the Importance of Play, and Available Services in Georgia.
MAC provides evaluations and assessments of children with various special needs and/or disabilities. Evaluations of children with special needs are crucial for identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Our assessments offer recommendations for parents and family members on effective teaching and behavior management strategies, general adaptations, and activities/strategies that foster skill development and independence. We offer our services free of cost to families whose income level falls below the poverty line.
Number of day/hours: 1 day; 4½ hours
Description: This course gives an overview of the purpose and importance of play and effective intervention strategies when working with children. It is hands-on training and teaches the types of play, intervention strategies to encourage and foster creative play, and how to develop play activities.
Number of day/hours: 5 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This training provides an overview of disabilities, special educational needs, and effective intervention strategies to anyone interested in the field. It explores topics on developmental disorders, special educational needs, sensory and physical disabilities, emotional issues, teaching of basic academic skills, individual educational plans, and behavior management strategies.
Number of days/hours: 2 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This training is designed for direct care providers. It focuses on the importance of promoting independence and functional skill development with children who have disabilities. The goal of the training is to strengthen the care provider's skills/knowledge, so that they are better equipped to improve the child's ability to participate in everyday activities. Training topics include Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation, Posture, Play, Independent Living Skills, Activities of Daily Living, Range of Motion, and Functional Transfers.
Number of day/hours: 3 days; 4½ hours/day
Description: This course is designed for direct care providers and family members of persons with disabilities. Over the course of the training, we work to build/improve understanding of independent living skills and provide the tools necessary to assist persons with disabilities in improving functional performance and maximizing independence in everyday activities. There are hands-on sessions to assist individuals in developing and strengthening of their own skills. Topics covered include Safety Skills, Personal Hygiene, Dressing, Community Mobility, Money Management, Communication, and Sense of Self. The course demands active participation and intensive group work, so be prepared to interact!
Number of days/hours: 1 day; 4½ hours
Description: This training provides an overview of the anatomy and body systems responsible for feeding/swallowing, various feeding/swallowing issues, and interventions such as simple oral stimulations, proper positioning, and the incorporation of adaptive technology to encourage the initiation of oral feeding.
Number of days/hours: ½ day; 2½ hours
Description: This training gives a general overview of pressure sores and their prevention for family members/caregivers directly interacting with a person who is unable to move around independently. It focuses on how to identify pressure sores, explains the importance of repositioning, and teaches techniques for preventing skin damage and pressure sores.
Number of days/hours: ½ day; 2½ hours
Description: This training provides an overview of mobility devices and the purpose/use of each device.
Number of days/hours: ½ day; 2½ hours
Description: This hands-on training for caregivers focuses on the basics of gentle range-of-motion exercises that can be done at home. The course reviews the purpose and benefits of range-of-motion exercises, hand and body positioning of the caregiver assisting with the exercises, and exercises for each part of the body. This training is recommended for any family member or caregiver working directly with a person who has a disability.
Number of days/hours: 1 day; 4½ hours
Description: This basic, hands-on training is focused on parents working directly with their children to develop child-specific sensory activities and toys. The goal of the training is to educate parents about the benefits of sensory integration activities, to assist them in identifying specific needs, and to instruct them on how best to engage their children, given individual needs. As part of the training, participants will make different sensory toys using inexpensive, common household items.
Number of days/hours: 4 days; 4½ hours
Description: Although designed for the classroom teacher, this course is also beneficial for parents who are interested in learning how to better support their children academically. It focuses primarily on reading, writing, and arithmetic and how to better assess the learning levels of students, regardless of ability. How to effectively implement an individual learning plan is also discussed.
Number of days/hours: ½ day; 2½ hours
Description: This hands-on training teaches the types of transfers, transfer strategies, body mechanics during transfers, and how to minimize physical stress on the person performing the transfer. This training is for anyone who interacts with a person who requires assistance with mobility, such as family members/caregivers.
Number of days/hours: 1 day; 8 hours
Description: This is designed for the layman who wishes to have a better understanding of the needs in the field. Topic discussed include general disability issues, specific medical needs, sensory disorders, emotional issues, and adaptive equipment.
Number of days/hours: 1 day; 4½ hours
Description: This training provides family members and other direct care providers with the skills to determine appropriate wheelchair size/fit for a child or an adult. The basics of wheelchairs, optimal positioning, and general wheelchair adaptations are reviewed.