The Alert Program® for Self-Regulation
USA Online Course
The Alert Program® training that has been given around the world,
now comes to you with maximum flexibility!
Learn Through Evidence, Demonstration, and Real-World Application
Watch activities demonstrated in live training sessions and see how Alert Program® concepts apply in everyday situations.
Read the newly updated Leader’s Guide textbook and activity guide to understand the evidence and explore practical strategies.
Learn directly from the program’s authors through engaging videos that make key concepts clear, memorable, and enjoyable.
Who is this online course for?
The Alert Program® framework supports children and adults across developmental profiles, including people who communicate verbally and nonverbally.
PARENTS & CAREGIVERS
Learn to support regulation in infants and young children who are still developing these skills. For example, caregivers can use sensory-motor strategies to help a child shift toward a more settled state for rest or sleep.
EDUCATORS
Learn to help students reach and maintain an appropriate level of alertness for participating, learning, and concentrating. Students can also begin identifying strategies that support them during homework and other daily routines.
COLLEGE STUDENTS
Learn to recognize and adjust their level of alertness for lectures, studying, presentations, and exams. The Alert Program® helps students identify sensory-motor strategies that support focus, participation, and performance across different demands.
ADULTS
Learn to recognize what their nervous system needs throughout the day. Strategies may help an adult become more alert on a sluggish morning, regain focus after lunch, or shift toward a calmer state after a demanding day.
AGING ADULTS
With individualized support, older adults—including those experiencing cognitive changes—may use sensory-motor strategies to support comfort, participation, and engagement in meaningful activities. Care partners learn to observe cues and respond more intentionally.
AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS
Autistic children and adults can use the Alert Program® with support tailored to their communication, sensory, and developmental needs. Individuals and support teams learn to notice patterns and identify strategies that support regulation at home, school, work, and in the community.
What is The Alert Program®
for Self-Regulation?
Created by internationally recognized occupational therapists MarySue Williams and Sherry Shellenberger, the Alert Program® has helped people understand and support self-regulation since 1990.
Grounded in sensory integration principles, the program offers practical ways to recognize changing levels of alertness and use sensory-motor strategies within everyday routines—helping set nervous systems up for success in learning, working, connecting, and daily life.
The Alert Program® is used internationally, referenced in occupational therapy textbooks, and supported by decades of professional practice and emerging research. In 2003, AOTA honored its authors with the Excellence in Intervention Development and Dissemination Award.
This engaging online course is designed for OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs, SLPs, educators, paraprofessionals, social workers, counselors, parents, and others who support regulation. Whether you are new to the Alert Program® or already use it, you will gain practical tools you can apply right away.
Course Objectives:
Describe how to adapt the Alert Program® for use in a school, home, therapy, or community setting with an individual or group of individuals (any age from birth to elder care).
Interpret their own sensorimotor preferences thereby improving the ability to facilitate self-regulation in others (children or adults).
List new therapeutic/educational activities to support self-regulation (related to clients' unique occupations) appropriate for use in school, home, therapy, or community settings.
Identify novel methods for sharing sensory integration and Alert Program® basic concepts with others.
Bag of Brain Breaks
We'll send you everything you need to help your "engine" run just right:
Course TEXT
Leader’s Guide book (2nd Edition, 2025)
HANDOUT PACKET
With 50+ pages and a Module Tracking Checklist (to easily keep track as you view the video modules)
HAND FIDGET TOOLS
So you can stay alert while watching the course
seating option
The kind you can buy for your child or client without a big budget
MOUTH WHISTLE
A sample of the quiet kind that don't bother anyone's ears when kids blow them
We've thought of everything to make this an experiential learning experience!
How does it work?
You register for the course (click register now button).
You receive a "Bag of Brain Breaks" (sensory strategies), book, and handout packet via snail mail.
You'll have unlimited access for two months to view and access the Additional Resources.
Need CEU's? Take the post-test and receive 20 contact hours.
Discounted rates for groups of 4+ (contact us).
What Participants Say:
"I was worried about how it would be to watch that many hours of video. I should never have been concerned - you were both such interesting speakers and the section breaks [and Brain Breaks] really made it GREAT.... very informative and entertaining!"
"Fabulous! I have been in pediatric practice for 25 years and SI certified for over 20 years... This program refreshed my spirit, stimulated my mind, and fostered my creativity. I look forward to working with my clients next week!"
"This was an amazing course and you both did an incredible job with the video modules, books and handouts. This is definitely the best online course I have ever taken and possibly the best continuing ed course! You are both incredible therapists that have a gift at sharing your knowledge and I loved how you taught us HOW TO initiate the conversation and start teaching and sharing the Alert Program. Your songs, games and all of your examples are wonderful and easy to do. THANK YOU for creating this online course, the work you put into this was monumental and very much appreciated!!! Thank you!!!"
"I really enjoyed the pace of the video modules and appreciated that each module was also segmented. The handout packet will be something I continue to reference as I help support teachers and students. The information was so great! I especially enjoyed the in-depth discussion of Detective Work, and also the small reminders that it is okay for teachers to "expect chaos" as students experiment with strategies. I also loved all of the extra resources and research articles that I can provide to administrators, teachers, and parents. It is always so appreciated to have evidence to support the advocacy of my students."
"This was one of the most helpful and impactful course I have every taken. I will definitely be doing the additional continuing education opportunities and recommending this to my colleagues! Thank you for putting so much effort into this course. It is obvious how passionate you both are about helpful individuals find their way to self-regulate!"
"This was by far the best continuing education course I have ever taken. Thank you to MarySue and Sherry for making sure my engine was in the just right state so I could attend. I liked how the video was segmented into small clips. This made it so much for manageable and less intimidating. I am excited to use the Alert Program® with the behavior and multiple disabilities classrooms at my school, as well as other students on my caseload."
Register Now
For this USA Online Course, you'll have access for two months from the day you register!
International Friends: Click here for the International Online Course.
Course feE
375
USD
Do you offer group discounts?
*Gather a group of 4+ friends/colleagues
*Choose your group's start date
*Contact us and we will get your group started
What do I need to view the Online Course (technical requirements)?
*High-speed Internet access
*Browser with up-to-date version
*Strongly recommend: Safari for Macs and Internet Explorer for PCs (must be Version 9 or higher)
What is the Cancellation Policy?
This Online Course is non-refundable. Exception: In the unlikely event that: 1) TherapyWorks, Inc. would need to cancel the training, or 2) Our friendly and knowledgeable tech support team for some unforseen reason cannot help you access the Online Course, then you can choose to receive a full refund minus $50 for the cost of the Leader’s Guide book, handout packet, and materials (if mailed to you prior to the start of the Online Course).
How long will I have access to the Video Modules and Additional Resources?
The content will be available for two months from the date and time of registration. At the end of the training, access to the modules will automatically expire. Be sure to bookmark any of the bonus Additional Resources because they will be only available for viewing during the Online Course. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to refer back to these great websites, articles, and DIY sensory strategies!
May I view the Online Course with a friend or co-worker?
This Online Course is priced for individual viewing only, access is solely for your use. Sharing your username and password with others is prohibited. And projection of video modules for group viewing is prohibited. We offer special licenses for small or large groups. If you (or your employer) are interested, please email [email protected] for details.
If your friend or co-worker has registered and purchased the Online Course, you may view it together. Learning together is a great way to collaborate, brainstorm, and problem solve.
Tell me more about the Bag of Brain Breaks.
After you register, we’ll be packing up the following goodies, so look for a box in the mail soon. Then you’ll have all you need to keep your “engine running just right” for the Online Course!
•Course text book: Leader’s Guide (2nd Edition, 2025)
•Handout Packet with 50+ pages and a Module Tracking Checklist (to track modules as you view them),
•Hand Fidget Tools (so you can stay alert while watching the Online Course),
•Seating Option (the kind you can buy for your child or client without a big budget!),
•Mouth Whistle (a sample of the quiet kind that won’t bother anyone’s ears!)
I already have a copy of the book. Will you still mail me another one?
Yes. Your course materials include (and we will be mailing you) the Leader’s Guide book (2nd Edition, 2025), handout packet, and your Bag of Brain Breaks.
I have special needs...
If you require special assistance to take this online course, TherapyWorks, Inc. will make every effort to accommodate your needs. We require four weeks prior written notice in order to help support your learning.
How can I receive a Certificate of Attendance?
You’ll need to view all video modules. Browsing the Additional Resources are optional (material is not included in the post-test). Upon successful completion of the course and post-test (score of 70% or better), TherapyWorks, Inc. will issue a Certificate of Completion for 20 contact hours. (You can take the test without your “engine going up into high gear” since you may repeat the test until you are successful).
We are a proud AOTA Approved Provider of professional development, so occupational therapists will receive 2.0 AOTA CEU’s. Due to the wide range of requirements for licensure in different states and different professions, we recommend that you check with your state’s licensing board to confirm CEU approval for this online course.
SHIPPING NOTICE:
Orders placed before 12:00pm (MDT) on Fridays will be shipped by the end of the work day (each Friday). Thanks for your patience as we work to process your orders!
Are you an occupational therapist?
We are an AOTA Approved Provider. As such, AOTA requires that we give you more info, so please take a quick minute to click here and learn more.
TherapyWorks, Inc. is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. PD activity approval ID# 13174. This Distance Learning – Independent online course activity is offered at 2.0 CEUs, introductory education level in the OT Service Delivery category. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
The Illinois Early Intervention Training Program has approved these courses for EI credential credit.
TherapyWorks, Inc. is listed as an approved provider on the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare. For more information, visit www.cebc4cw.org.
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