Pamela Lemerand, PhD
TLC Certified Trainer

Pamela Lemerand is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at Eastern Michigan University and the Director of the Autism Collaborative Center. She has been an instructor at Western Michigan, Wayne State and Michigan State Universities and held positions as Supervisor of Early Childhood/Preschool Programs and Director of Student Services: Special Education Early Childhood Education, At-Risk Programs. Dr. Lemerand has numerous honors from Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year to Outstanding Faculty Classroom Instructor of the Year. “Understanding the Developmental Issues of Traumatized Children,” “Sensori-motor Interventions for Children with Trauma History,” and “Children With Traumatic Brain Injuries: What Teachers Need to Know,” are just a few of the presentations she has provided for such groups as the National Council for Exceptional Children and International Learning Disability Association. The role of sensory processing has always been a lens through which she examines children’s behaviors. Her combined experiences as a school psychologist and occupational therapist provide a unique understanding and expertise in the application of interventions addressing the psychosocial developmental and sensory needs of traumatized children.

Pamela presents the following course:

A Neurodevelopment Lens into Play-Based Trauma Interventions

This presentation focuses on the role of neuro developmental sensory processing in the experience of trauma and the mechanisms that internally perpetuate the trauma once the threat has passed. Specific play-based sensori-motor strategies will be demonstrated and discussed that help the body/nervous system re-regulate internal states versus being activated and aroused by triggered trauma memories and sensations. Understanding how to help children with self-regulation through sensory processing enhances the success of resolving the trauma and helps restore feelings of self-control and safety.