Supporting Children with Special Needs in Early Childhood Education: The Role of the Therapeutic Integration Specialist

This two-hour introductory training prepares participants to understand and carry out the role of a Therapeutic Integration Specialist (TIS) in inclusive childcare, preschool, and school-age
settings. Participants will explore the purpose and core responsibilities of the TIS, including supporting children’s emotional regulation, social participation, classroom routines, transitions, and successful inclusion. The training addresses scope of practice, professional boundaries, ethical decision-making, confidentiality, objective documentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and situations requiring clinical consultation. Through case discussions, role-play, team scenarios, and reflective practice, participants will strengthen their professional judgment and learn to provide relationship-based, child-centered, and culturally responsive support to children with developmental, behavioral, social-emotional, or mental health needs.