Receive your Specialty Certificate in VitalStim Therapy!

The VitalStim® Therapy Specialty Program includes the online course, MBS: The Clear Picture-Pediatric (12 hrs.) and the two day hands-on "VitalStim® Therapy Course" (16 hrs.) for a total of 28 hrs.

Course Pricing
$775
$350 (Renewal at Live Course - earn 16 hrs. of continuing education credit)

The VitalStim Therapy Course Manual will be issued at the live course.

Disciplines

• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist

• MBS: The Clear Picture - Pediatric
• MBS Course Instructions
• VitalStim Certification Policies
• VitalStim Auditor-Refresher Policies

There are two ways to participate in this live stream event (BOTH count as LIVE CE):

1. in the LIVE STUDIO audience in Gulf Breeze, Florida - Studio audience seats are limited - so register today!
2. via LIVE STREAM around the world - Live stream participants will login to access the event from their computer and interact with the instructor.

Course begins: 9:00 AM Central (10:00 AM Eastern; 8:00 AM Mountain; 7:00 AM Pacific)
Please contact our office if you have any questions. 850-916-8886.


Current research will be reviewed to explore how the NMES parameters such as frequency, phase duration and duty cycle can be changed to maximize impact. Participants will learn about the benefit of using up to 4 channels of stimulation and will learn how to sequence the stimulation between channels to mimic a normal swallowing sequence. In addition, two new modalities will be reviewed and practiced: sEMG Biofeedback and sEMG triggered electrical stimulation.

Disclosure: This course offering will only cover information that pertains to the effective and safe use of VitalStim Plus.


NOTE: Participant must be a VitalStim Provider to attend this advanced level course.

Disciplines

• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist

An ICE Accredited Assessment Based Certificate Program
The VitalStim Certificate Program was introduced to the professional dysphagia community in 2003 as the competency course for the only FDA-cleared NMES device for dysphagia treatment. The program, then known as the VitalStim Certification Program, revolutionized dysphagia therapy!

The popular course has gone through multiple revisions since its inception, incorporating the latest findings from the research and clinical communities. This new course update is the most significant to date. It is the result of several converging trends in the field of NMES for dysphagia treatment. The new content reflects significant growth of scientific research, an increase in available treatment protocols and an expansion of available equipment options.

VitalStim® Therapy and Beyond includes the online course, MBS: The Clear Picture (12hrs) and the two day hands-on "VitalStim® Therapy and Beyond: DINES Specialty Certificate Program" (16hrs) for a total of 28 hours of continuing education credit.

Course Pricing
$775 (Individual)
$350 (Renewal at Live Course - earn 16 hrs. of continuing education credit)

Disciplines

• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist

• MBS: The Clear Picture
• MBS Course Instructions
• VitalStim Therapy Specialty Program Policies

This one day course will focus on utilizing Yoga and NDT techniques and philosophy for those children with neurological and/or developmental challenges. There are many benefits to everyone to incorporating Yoga into their daily routine. Individuals of all ages and abilities can benefit from a yoga practice. It engages every aspect of body and mind connection to include physical gains, organization of the sensory systems, and the connections within the brain. We will discuss and identify how the two theories can overlap, through participation in performing the poses, making adaptations for all levels/abilities, labs and video presentations. This course is appropriate for OT's, PT's, ST's, Educators and Developmental Specialists working in a variety of settings.

Yoga benefits for children, especially for those with special challenges:

• Develop physical strength & flexibility
• Increase active/passive range of motion
• Enhance balance and focus
• Increase bilateral integration and crossing midline
• Improve concentration
• Reduce hyperactivity
• Cultivate confidence & self-esteem
• Enhance self-control & relaxation
• Increase cognitive &motor skills
• Relieve/decrease stress

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

Whether passing the scope or assisting while the endoscopist passes the scope, this course will help the therapist wade through the challenges of interpreting FEES and creating treatment strategies following the assessment. Course material presents interpretation of the instrumental assessment from a physiological standpoint. The instructor will provide guidelines to dysphagia therapists regarding traditional therapy, modalities such as VitalStim®, and pharmacological implications. In addition, participants will gain strategies for collaboration, consultations, and referrals to other disciplines. This course aims to educate SLPs on comprehensive interpretation of FEES and treatment approaches. Course Disclosure: This is an intermediate course, and basic knowledge of FEES and FEES interpretation is recommended.

Disciplines

• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

Evaluation and treatment of cognitive deficits can often be some of the most challenging diagnoses to address because of what seems to be infinite variables. This course focuses on the many factors associated with learning for the cognitively impaired patients who suffer from head injuries, stroke and dementia. Fundamental information includes anatomy and physiology of cognition, clinical neurotransmitters that affect cognition, different types of memory, medications that affect cognition and evidence-based practice access. The instructor will also address cognitive evaluations, goal writing, environmental adaptations, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and the MCI training program. Specific direct cognitive interventions to improve attention, memory, executive function, and visual-spatial functions will be discussed in detail. The importance of correct diagnosis and staging will be emphasized along with staging training. This course, taught by one of the great experts in the field, will help you to narrow your plan to deliver the best patient-specific cognitive rehabilitation care.

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

The four D's - dentition, dental care, dysphagia and diet are intertwined. This seminar will build on our basic knowledge and delve deeper into the role of dentition in maintaining our patient's health. What role does each tooth play in mastication? What disease processes wreak havoc on our patient's dental health? Dental care or oral hygiene takes a toll on our patient's health as well. Not only is dental care imperative for all individuals on our case load, but it is especially critical for individuals with specific diseases. We will discuss the impact of poor dental care on overall health. Individuals on our dysphagia caseloads have any combination of natural dentition, partial or full dentures or are edentulous. What role does dentition status and dysphagia play in diet selection? How does lack of dentition increase the patient's risk of aspiration? Rather than continuing to use the guidelines for the National Dysphagia Diet, the IDDSI should be implemented in our facilities. We will discuss how these two diets compare, and how to educate our staff to recognize and/or test foods to ensure the diet and liquid standards are met. New products that match the IDDSI levels will be introduced and reviewed. Many times, the patient and/or family reject the diet modification recommendations. Some facilities offer waivers, which are not recognized by the courts. Better options we implement are the Shared Decision-Making Algorithm and The Care Planning for Resident Choice.

Disciplines

• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

There are two ways to participate in this live stream event (BOTH count as LIVE Continuing Education!):

1. in the LIVE STUDIO audience in Gulf Breeze, Florida - Studio audience seats are limited - so register today!
2. via LIVE STREAM around the world - Live stream participants will login to access the event from their computer and interact with the instructor in real time.

Course Start Time(s):
Day 1&2 start at 8:00 AM Central (9:00 AM Eastern; 7:00 AM Mountain; 6:00 AM Pacific) see Agenda for full schedule

This course will review the process of the swallow from anticipatory phase through esophageal, including muscle function and nerve innervation. A thorough chart review and medication history is critical to identify key information prior to a swallow screen and bedside eval. Sensory changes due to aging and disease processes impacting the patient's nutrition and diet selection will be discussed. Current research will be presented regarding stroke, Parkinson's Disease, ALS, MS, Head/Neck cancer and other disease processes resulting in dysphagia - what can we expect in each phase of swallow and how it relates to our therapy program.

Disciplines

• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst
• Student

In our role as Speech-language Pathologists we are to practice at the "top of our license", but often don't have the tools we need to get the job done. Most of us don't ask potential employers about the availability of therapy tools or a budget for therapy equipment. PRN staff often realize if they don't bring their equipment, there is nothing to work with. Budget constraints put us in a position of having to create or make our own tools. We can make some tools very inexpensively but there comes a time when purchasing specific equipment is necessary to document our outcomes. This seminar will look at tools we can create and utilize in our therapy room as well as those on the market to improve muscle function for an efficient safe swallow and provide documentation of our outcomes. Therapeutic interventions include swallowing and non-swallowing exercises but what are these and why do we use them? These exercises will be identified with literature discussing their efficacy, utilization and outcomes. In addition, new adaptive equipment for pediatrics and adults will be introduced that can assist with bolus control.

Disciplines

• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

This interactive course will take the fear out of helping adult patients with severe dysphagia who require tube feeding. Participants will leave this course with a strong foundation, and a better understanding, of the many patient and family considerations involved with tube feeding. The instructor will use lecture, videos, pictures and case studies. This course will provide information to support patients and families who may feel overwhelmed facing or living with a feeding tube such as SLPs, OTs, Dysphagia Specialists and Nurses. Family members are also welcomed to attend. Course material will include topics such as history, tube basics, feeding methods, tips and techniques, common complications, equipment care, medical considerations, the heart and mind connection during mealtimes, the role of water, the gut and brain connection, diets, traveling with a tube, the role of the dysphagia therapist and treatment considerations. The psychology of tube feeding, impact on the family, and mealtime dynamics will also be discussed. Participants will leave with a new confidence in helping patients, families and team members through the world of tube feeding.

Disciplines

• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

This introductory level two day seminar will provide a strong foundation in evidence based information, theory and critical analysis of: sub system analysis, swallowing safety and function, appropriate and effective therapeutic interventions, family/caregiver engagement and discharge planning. Infant's communication skills, positioning impact on feeding and swallowing, pre-feeding skills, therapeutic feeding trials, bottle and breast feeding, family involvement, and feeding in palliative care will also be discussed.

Disciplines

• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

This course instruction assumes a prior knowledge of dysphagia and anatomy/physiology of the head and neck. For an excellent review of the normal and abnormal swallow, we recommend bundling the ecourse "Anatomy of Swallowing". Please note that VitalStim Providers and past attendees of John Kelly's Myofascial Release and Other Manual Techniques in Dysphagia Management course may have already completed Anatomy of Swallowing (not sure, just ask CIAO).  We are offering the ecourse at a $20 discount when added as a bundle during registration (price reflects discount).

Elastic taping techniques have gained the attention of rehab providers offering support while allowing functional movement. This research-based modality has a variety of applications to address functional impairment. This course will focus on taping strategies relevant to dysphagia therapy. Therapeutic applications provide re-education of the neuromuscular system, influence lymphatic drainage, improve localized circulation and reduce pain. Diagnoses familiar to the dysphagia specialist benefit from its use. Taping strategies offer muscular inhibition as in craniomandibular hypertonus, muscular recruitment facilitating hyoid movement and minimize postural compensation related to sensory input. This course will educate the dysphagia clinician on the therapeutic benefit of taping to improve motor patterns and facilitate a client's functional independence. Though focused on the adult population, experienced pediatric clinicians can easily apply these techniques to the pediatric population.

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

This interactive two-day workshop for rehabilitation teams will address evaluation and current treatment techniques appropriate for soft tissue and joint restrictions that contribute to an abnormal swallow.
Note: Registration for this course includes the pre-requisite online course "Anatomy of Swallowing" (you will receive an additional 4 hours for completion of this online course)
Click Here for a Preview

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

The journey for a preterm infant or medically fragile and sick newborn is long and arduous throughout their NICU stay. Their story doesn't end at discharge. Learn what to expect as these fragile newborns move into the community based programs and how to help these infants and their families flourish. This course will discuss common problems seen with these most fragile infants and will equip the participants with the knowledge base of, not only what to expect, but with treatment techniques and tools to empower their patient's lives as they make this difficult transition home.

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

Jennifer Jones' new course was created due to multiple requests for a course that addresses assessing and treating children with more involved feeding disorders. The complex medical issues and frustrating behavioral refusals that lead to profound dysphagia are discussed based on current research. The process of completing an educated, differential diagnosis, developing the appropriate treatment plan and performing treatment techniques are the focal points of this course. Dr. Jones teaches a step-by-step process in increasing preferred foods for the pickiest little eater and also how to treat pharyngeal dysphagia without the luxury of the instrumental exam. The class includes case presentations with treatment protocols. This course is designed to provide therapists with the tools to treat difficult dysphagia clients immediately upon returning to work.

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Nurse
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) is designed to educate occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in the use of electrophysical agents in the areas of electrical stimulation (pulsed, alternating, and direct current), and superficial and deep thermal agents (ultrasound, shortwave diathermy and laser). This course is also open to PT/PTAs and Athletic Trainers.

This course meets OT Physical Agent Modalities didactic training requirements in: CA, FL, ID, IL, MA, MD, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NY, PA, SD, WI, WV

Please bring lab attire that allows for access to the shoulder (e.g. loose fitting t-shirt, tank top etc.)

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Athletic Trainer

Respiratory Muscle Strength Training is an important addition to our treatment program. Often our treatment programs do not include this modality. This course builds on our basic knowledge of respiration and its connection to speech and swallowing. However, respiration also ties into cardiovascular function and our immune system. These connections will be investigated. We will identify signs and symptoms occupational therapists, physical therapists and nurses should look for during interactions with their clients that would indicate the presence of respiratory muscle weakness. Various diseases and disorders contributing to respiratory muscle strength weakness including COVID-19 will be discussed as well as the use of respiratory muscle strength training in patient recovery and therapy programs. Inspiratory and Expiratory muscle strength training tools and their protocols will be discussed These will be presented with comparisons of similarities and differences. Studies relating to the efficacy of respiratory muscle strength training will be presented for numerous diseases, including COVid-19 throughout the course.

Disciplines

• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affects the entire person and often the visual system. Patients who suffer a TBI require an interdisciplinary team approach to improve the overall function. The devastating effects on the brain may result in neurological changes to the visual system including double vision, blurred vision, headaches, and balance difficulties. Any of these can impede functional outcomes for all disciplines (i.e. gait training, activities of daily living, social skills, emotional appropriateness, language skills and perception). In this course the instructor will cover evidenced based research on neuroplasticity; causes of TBI; effects it can have on the person; assessment tools for education; and functional remediation exercises. This course will prepare OT/COTA's, PT/PTA's, ST's, educators, psychologists, nurses and other healthcare providers to better understand and treat the underlying visual factors that may be hindering progress. Participants will also gain a better understanding of when to refer to an optometrist/neuro-optometrist. This course will provide functional applications for you and your clients - from pediatrics to geriatrics.

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

This interactive course will take the fear out of helping pediatric patients with severe dysphagia who require tube feeding. Participants will leave this course with a strong foundation, and a better understanding, of the many patient and family considerations involved with tube feeding little ones. The instructor will use lecture, videos, pictures and case studies leaving participants with a new feeling of confidence. This course will provide information to support patients and families who may feel overwhelmed facing or living with a feeding tube such as SLPs, OTs, Dysphagia Specialists and Nurses. Family members are also welcomed to attend. Course material will cover relevant issues from infancy through childhood. Discussion will include topics such as history, tube basics, feeding methods, tips and techniques, common complications, equipment care, medical considerations, the heart and mind connection during mealtimes, the role of water, the gut and brain connection, diets, traveling with a tube, the school environment, the role of the dysphagia therapist and treatment considerations. The psychology of tube feeding, impact on the family and mealtime dynamics will also be discussed. Participants will leave with a new confidence in helping patients, families and team members through the world of tube feeding.

Disciplines

• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

Improve your knowledge base and skills with tracheostomy and ventilator dependent assessments and treatment approaches. Whether you are currently working with tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients or if you would like to develop the knowledge and skills for this specialty, this course is for you! The course material will include types of tracheostomies, speaking valves, and treatment strategies to help your patients wean off the vent and successfully decannulate. Therapists working with patients with trachs and vents can be challenged with getting instrumental assessments, choosing treatment strategies, and communicating the role of the therapist for this unique population to multidisciplinary teams. This course will present the physiological and structural changes of the trachea following a tracheostomy. It also offers guidelines and treatment strategies to initiate po intake and achieve voicing using speaking valves. Participants will walk away with new ideas and understandings ready for tomorrow.

Disciplines

• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst

Using an educational screening tool, participants will examine assessments for 13 skills including eye movement control, eye teaming, focus shifting, auditory-visual integration, and visual memory. Through case studies and interactive demonstrations, students will experience vision problems and be challenged to determine if they can spot a problem as a client would be assessed. Analyze cases of strabismus and amblyopia and plan for referrals to appropriate vision professionals.

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst