Profectum

BY JULIA MCHUGH, APR
SEP 8, 2020

Two organizations offering education and advanced training have signed an articulation agreement to collaborate and expand the outreach of both clinical practice as well as research.  This agreement is the beginning of a relationship that aims to benefit practitioners and families interested in fostering a developmental approach to children with neurodiversity and their families.

• University Graduate Program and Clinical Training Program Jointly Expand on Opportunities for Research, Education, and Practice
• Furthers Developmental Theory, Assessment, and Intervention Serving Children with Neurodiversity and their Families

Fielding Graduate University’s Infant and Early Childhood Development (IECD) doctoral program and Profectum™ entered into this academic agreement to provide students expanded opportunities for both increased academic study and research, and certification, respectively.

“This is a partnership that furthers our work toward best evidence-based practice and clinical applications across both IECD and Profectum,” said Jenene W. Craig, PhD, director of the Infant & Early Childhood Development (IECD) doctoral program in Fielding’s School of Psychology. “It’s a hallmark moment that furthers research and education about theory, assessment, intervention, and clinical work.”

The Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR^®) approach was co-developed in the early 1980s by Drs. Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder, and has served as a philosophical foundation for the IECD program from its inception. The model is used by occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists and other mental health practitioners, neurologists, pediatricians, social workers, and special education teachers as an assessment/ intervention for children with neurodiversity, such as autism, emotional and sensory regulation challenges, and developmental delays, and their families. Through Fielding’s progressive IECD doctoral program, its widely acclaimed faculty utilize coursework as a rich learning platform for the DIR^® framework.

“This approach uses relationships, emotions, and affect as a foundation for functional and social- emotional development and learning,” said Dr. Wieder, Clinical Director and a founder of Profectum. “We are delighted with the reciprocity with Fielding because while we offer certificates and applied training, Fielding opens the door for academics and increased research. Partnering makes it even better, as there will be more practitioners and more choices for parents and families.”

Program Details

Fielding’s concentration is equivalent to Profectum’s Certificate Level 1 course (CL1) and makes Fielding students eligible to apply for acceptance in Profectum’s Certificate Level 2 course (CL2). Once registered for Profectum’s CL2 certificate, students will receive certification for CL1. Profectum students who complete the CL1 Certificate also receive articulation credit should they be accepted into Fielding’s IECD PhD program.

“This articulation allows for an advanced experience for practitioners who want to go to the next level,” adds Dr. Wieder, “be it through Profectum’s certificate programs or Fielding’s IECD PhD program.”

Dr. Craig adds, “This agreement also facilitates greater opportunities for both IECD and Profectum students in recognition of shared competencies.”

Interested in the Program?

To learn more about the program, please contact Dr. Craig directly (jcraig@fielding.edu).

DIR® is a trademark of the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL)

Fielding Graduate University is dedicated to educating leaders, scholars, and practitioners for a more just and sustainable world. Consistent with the university’s mission, the Infant and Early Childhood Development (IECD) PhD program is committed to preparing students for relationship-based practice. Utilizing an interprofessional lens, the IECD program seeks service to the community through the thoughtful and strategic preparation of doctoral graduates who exemplify the highest level of personal integrity, professional ethics and wellbeing.

Visit www.fielding.edu/IECDmentalhealth for more information.

Profectum Foundation is dedicated to advancing the development of all children, adolescents and adults with Autism and other developmental and mental health challenges. Our foundation builds upon the Development, Individual difference, Relationship-based model (DIR^®) developed by Drs. Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder. Visit www.profectum.org for more information.