Follow me on my NEW blogstop- ttapmethod.blogspot.com

Follow me on my NEW blogstop- ttapmethod.blogspot.com

Training Videos on the TTAP Method

Coming Soon --The TTAP Method Training Videos.

These five -one hour each videos (5 hours of educational training)
include:

VIDEO ONE- Overview of the TTAP Method, and how it incorporates 3 bodies of science; neuroscience, Psychology (behavioral/ cognitive) and the learning theories (Bloom and Gardners multiple intelligences) into a dynamic group approach.

VIDEO TWO- Summary and indepth discussion of past 10 years of neuroscience research on how the brain can regenerate, brain regions and functions and how art and the process of art making positively affects the brain.

VIDEO THREE-Theoretical perspectives on developmental theories and how the TTAP appraoch incorporates all.

VIDEO FOUR- An in depth view of the TTAP Method and expereintials done by international professionals.

VIDEO FIVE-Focuses on research, how to conduct research in the Social Sciences, what are dependent and independent variables and how to develop and conduct your own research wherever you work with one person or a group of indivdiuals. Finally discussion of the research studies conducted and those EFFICACY STUDIES being conducted presently using the TTAP Method. Results of efficacy research showing positive correlations to improved cognition and psychsocial well-being will be reviewed.

These tapes will be on-line and accredited for CEU's with easy access. Please go to my website http://www.levinemadoriphd.com/ by September 15th, where you will find more information and how you and your staff can go online globally to access these training tapes.

Certificate Training Course available on the TTAP Method

The TTAP Method© Training Course
A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

Author and Trainer:
Dr. Linda Levine-Madori,
CTRS, ATR-BC,LCAT

Educational Information for Completion of
Therapeutic Thematic Arts Programming
The TTAP Method© Training Course
15 hours ceu’s -plus case study

I will offer starting in September, 2009 a 15 hour- 2 day certificate training program (scheduled on Sat. /Sun-throughout the year) on the TTAP Method in the United States. Participants would attend the 2 day training, recieve a 100 page manual including 3 bodies of knowledge-

the most recent neuroscientific information on the BRAIN,

how we learn through MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES,

and history of PSYCHOLOGICAL APPRAOCHES TO AGING.

The TTAP method offers multiple opportunites for optimizing brain wellness in a structured person centered approach designed for well elderly and those affected with Alzheimer's Disease.

Certification will be provided after completion of 15 hours and a case study utilizing the TTAP Method (completed at your own pace). All participants will receive 15 hours of continueing educational credit (ceu's), this certificate course is available for various heathcare disiplines, including art therapists, recreational therapists, activity personal, directors of activity programs, etc.

If interested in having your staff, or your students attend a course please email me at

Linda@levinemadoriphd.com

DENDRITES and your Brain--USE them or LOOSE them!

I am in the process of writing my second book entitled: The New Psychology of Alzheimer's Disease; the TTAP Method (c) and in my research I found some interesting photographs taken inside the human living brain. Scientists were only able to "see" into a "living" brain in 2000 when CAT and PET scans were invented first at Harvard Medical University. Dentrites carry electric impulses through the brain cells. This then fosters cell growth, enhanced communication, between cells that eventually turn into thoughts, memories and all the other cognitive processes that happen deep within our brain. The image above is of an "ENRICHED DENDRITE" , the reasons that keep our Denrites rich, thick and plump is by stimulating our brains through our envionment, our thoughts and our behaviors. Scientists relize that if we read, write, paint, sculpt, play music and dance our dentrites grow and continue to grow until the day we die (Faul, 2008). On the other hand, lack of mental stimulation, excess alcohol, drugs, lack of education, and a boring job will in fact directly effect your Denrites as seen below.

So, today think about how you use your thought process, which effects your brain and start creating your own brain wellness!

Returning To New York From my Travels

Hello from Long Island, New York where I have spent the last month since returing on my travels. I do want to say that I have returned with a full heart. To all of you whom I meet, spoke to, taught or shared a drink over lunch- A BIG THANK-YOU for giving me such a great expereince and I look forward to my return to teach in March and May, 2010!

My Fulbright experience was amazing and it is because of all of you out there in our Global community who embraced my philosophy, teaching and experiences.
I thought I would post a few pictures of where I am now and what I am watching and witnessing.

Back here in New York, the summer weather has been either hot and humid or cool and rainy or rainy and humid. But as I wondered around my town of Easthampton, I can across these images that I wanted to share with all of you who watch this blog. The photograph below is my squrrel, who visits me, in my backyard every day and watches me through my window, as I watch him.

I will be continuing to write on this blog about what I am writing and researching, so please keep visiting and have a great few last weeks of SUMMER fun!

Next post on dendrites and your brain-stay tuned!

Research on the TTAP Method accepted at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease, Vienna, Austria 2009

Preliminary research on the TTAP Method (c) in a pilot study with 25 Spanish speaking individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease utilizing the TTAP Method after a 12 week period in a community day center, showed positive and significant correlations to improved cognitive abilities and increased psychosocial wellbeing in those participating in the 9- step structured multimodal intervention. July 11-14, Vienna, Austria.

TTAP Method (c) featured in the American Journal of Therapeutic Recreation- Summer 2009

Uses of therapeutic thematic arts programming,

TTAP Method©, for enhanced cognitive and

psychosocial functioning in the geriatric population

Linda Levine-Madori, PhD, CTRS, ATR-BC, LCAT

Currently, there is a need for strength-based recreation therapy approaches which promote
the retention of skills and abilities of the growing older adult population. This article
introduces an emerging multimodal intervention: Therapeutic Thematic Arts
Programming for Older Adults (TTAP Method©), an approach that provides stimulation to
three distinct brain systems, encouraging brain wellness and neural regeneration, thereby
providing a viable means for enhancing cognitive functioning in older adults. Research on
TTAP Method© efficacy is currently being explored at Cornell University and previous pilot
studies strongly indicate that the TTAP Method© may be an effective intervention for slowing
the progression of mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease. TTAP Method© is
person centered and culturally competent, and engages a variety of creative activities.

Please go to http://www.pnpco.com/pn10000.html to learn more about the American Journal of Therapeutic Recreation, published by Weston Medical Publishing.

HAMK University officiates contract to translate TTAP Method into Finnish for 2010!

Today, Saturday June 21, otherwise known here in Finland as Mid-Summer Night, Dean of Social Sciences, Dr. Merja Saarela seen above with Dr. Levine Madori, announces HAMK Universities collaboration with Health Professions Press to translate the TTAP Method into Finnish by early 2010. Professor Jari Aho will be the translator of the book and will be incorporated into the core curriculum of the Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Program starting in the Spring of 2010.

Students will study and utilize the TTAP method in their clinical research and will be advised by Dr. Levine Madori via the internet blackboard system in Finland. Both Dr.'s Saarela and Levine Madori hope this collaboration increases international research collaborations as well as international studies in the area of the Arts and Recreation Therapy through St. Thomas Aquinas College and HAMK University.

Vassa, the ship that stayed afloat 30 minutes, then sank.

The Vassa, is a truly interesting story about a boat that was built in 1600"s by the king of Sweden , King Vassa. 30 minutes at sea on route to Poland the ship sank, off the coast of Stockholm infront of hundreds of onlookers, the Vassa suddenly started to pitch back and forth. It took on water and suddenly sank, to the horror of the entire city. It took the Swedish goverment 333 years to build technology of boats and lifts to recover the Vassa from the sea. Now the Vassa has its own museum which was built around it once the boat was placed back on land. It towers 10 stories high, and the Museum hold the treasures that were brought up with the boat including ceramics, clothes, pipes, and personal items of those aboard the ship in 1600's.

Tomorrow,back to Helsinki - more pictures to come.

WINDOW INTO MY FUTURE, STAY TUNED...

Stocholm, up close

The capital of Sweden, Stocholm, is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen and I have travled to over 20 countries worldwide. Take a look at these magnificant views as I traveled and explored the city.

Sweden, a land of 1000 Islands

As the cruise ship gets closer to the center of Stockholm, the beautiful islands that make up the country start to pop up out of the sea. It is estimated that 30% of all Swedish people have summer homes on these private islands to get away from the city summer heat.

From Russia to Sweden by Boat

Inside the cruise ship is a large moving city, stores, resturants and even gambling casinos can be found by the travelor.

The overnight boat to Sweden is a great way to not only travel and be able to sleep in a nice size room , with free entertainment which starts as you walk on the boat and doesnt stop until you depart in the morning at 9 am.

Peterhoff; The summer island off the coast of St. Petersburg

The island of Peterhoff is absolutely breathtaking, it was built after the Palace's in France. The entire island is a maze of trees, bushes, and fountains.

Inside of The Hermatage, one of the Worlds largest museums

As seen in the images above the entrance to the hermatage was designed to fully impress all who visited. Inside, the rooms all had different color themes ranging from the pink to blue to reds.

The artwork itself range from Michealangelo's, Rembrant's, and Picasso's and Miro's.

From Finland to Russia by Train

The train from Finland to Russia takes about 7 hours and is very unique. It truly feels as though you are stepping into the past, James Bond 's past. As you walk from one train car to the next, the halls are very narrow and there are security passport checks every hour. If you are sleeping, as I was during one of these checks, they actually wake you up to see your face, to make sure you are really you!

ARRIVING IN ST.PETERSBURG

St. Petersburg is also known as the Venise of the north, due to the many canals and waterways throughout the city.

The buildings are full of gold and the magnitude and size of the buildings are quite magnificent.

Above is the Church of the most well known churches, the Church of Spilt Blood.

Personal art creations from the last day in Finland.

Hello global community,

Please enjoy some images taken from the last day of the certificate course in Finland. Participants created their own individual piece for a group art piece. One of the steps in the TTAP Method is to first create a sculpture (step 4) and then go back and reflect on the artwork. Then ask the individual to write a reflection of what was created (step 6).

As seen in this last photograph, some individuals go further, they utilize all different materials such as photographs (step 9) drawing (step 3) clay (step 4) and even add materials such as pipe cleaners, butterflys, etc. The TTAP Method gives structure to what is done within creative arts program, and identifies the learning process along with exactly what region of the brain is being stimulated during the art process. The charts and graphs utilized along with this structure give the researcher, masters degree student or professional, to structure collect data, write observations and add to efficacy research on the arts, healing, processes and effects.

Samuli Jokinen, a young Finnish boy's music to leave you with!

Samuli is playing A. Diabelli, Allegretto zu vier handen above.

Samuli, as I promised you when you come to New York to play your music I will provide the Limousine for you to drive in!!! Linda

St.Thomas Aquinas College, back to the United States.

To all of you who have been following this educational journey; professionals, students, colleagues, friends and mostly family, your emails and supportive letters you have shared with me over the past 6 weeks have made it emotionally possible to complete this task knowing that you have all been with me in spirit. The deep feelings of love and support I have received from those of you whom have written to me after a presentation, have touched me more deeply than words can describe.

I truly feel blessed that I have been able to witness all of you share a special moment, realize and learn a new idea and /or shared a personal memory throughout my travels to Helsinki, Turku, Salo, Seinajoki University, Tampere University and HAMK University. Please keep coming to this blog as I move back from Finland to the United States and will continue posting all the new details that will unfold through the late summer into the autumn. Please go to www.levinemadoriphd.com to visit the many new presentations of the TTAP Method that are being scheduled and will be posted September, 2009.

Finally, to the Fulbright Organization who continues the pursuit of academic international teaching throughout the world, thank you for this amazing second opportunity to dynamically change peoples lives through teaching!