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Postgraduate Diploma in Sensory and Neurodevelopmental Therapy
Course Overview 2026-2027
This comprehensive twenty-month professional postgraduate diploma equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to work confidently as a sensory and neurodevelopmental practitioner. Graduates are qualified to establish a private practice or to apply their expertise within educational settings, supporting children as a sensory and neurodevelopmental specialist as part of a school staff team.
The course is fully insured by Balens, confirming that graduates are recognised as appropriately trained, professionally qualified, and eligible for professional indemnity insurance. This provides assurance to both practitioners and the families, schools, and organisations they support. It is also approved for 240 CPD hours (140 annually) for OTs, Physios, Psychologists etc. who are CORU registered and wish to attend.
The programme is designed for professionals seeking to deepen their clinical expertise in supporting children with sensory processing challenges and neurodevelopmental delays. Grounded in evidence-based practice, the programme explores the dynamic relationship between sensory integration, primitive reflex retention, and neurological development — providing practical, targeted strategies for use across educational and therapeutic settings.
Key Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
• Develop clinical competencies in assessing and supporting children with sensory processing differences and neurodevelopmental delay.
• Understand the neurobiological foundations of early brain development and sensory system maturation.
• Examine the causes and presentation of Neurodevelopmental Delay (NDD) and its relationship with retained primitive reflexes.
• Master intervention techniques for integrating 11 core primitive reflexes, with direct application in both special education and clinical contexts.
• Learn and apply Brain Tune-Up techniques to reduce anxiety and promote sensory regulation.
• Understand the application of sensory integration and neurodevelopmental strategies within Special Education settings.
• Produce detailed sensory profiles and identify individualised strategies suited to each child’s sensory needs.
• Study evidence-based models of Primitive Reflex Integration shown to enhance motor coordination, bilateral integration, and overall neurological function.
• Gain practical tools for visual skills screening and implement strategies to support ocular efficiency and visual-motor integration.
• Complete four supervised case studies, applying learned methodologies in real-world practice.
• Recognise the importance of high-quality clinical resources and their role in effective therapeutic outcomes.
Programme Structure
Year 1: Seven core modules delivered from October 2026 to June 2027
Year 2: Five advanced modules delivered from October 2027 o June 2028
The programme includes one face-to-face weekend and two Zoom sessions per month.
Ongoing case study supervision is provided by experienced, practising therapists to support clinical reasoning and practical application throughout the course.
Who Should Attend?
This course is ideally suited for professionals working in primary teaching, special education teaching (SET), early childhood education, occupational therapy, special needs assistance (SNAs), paediatric physiotherapy, psychology, and play therapy.
Qualifications Awarded
Postgraduate Diploma in Sensory and Neurodevelopmental Therapy
Fee:
€3,200 per year.
