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

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: 8:00 AM Central (9:00 AM Eastern; 7:00 AM Mountain; 6:00 AM Pacific)
Please contact our office if you have any questions. 850-916-8886.

Facial palsy brings about psychosocial and musculoskeletal challenges which have a significant impact on communication and bolus management. A diagnoses familiar to the rehabilitation clinician, there remains limited access to education and therapeutic applications for the re-education of the neuromuscular system. In this course, the instructor will guide participants through a variety of treatment options including myofascial release, kinesiology taping and biofeedback. Etiologies of facial palsy such as, Bell's, Ramsey Hunt, Myasthenia Gravis, stroke and more will be discussed. This course will discuss strategies that offer muscular inhibition in synkinesis and craniomandibular spasticity, muscular recruitment for orofacial control. Course instruction will demonstrate approaches to minimize headaches, jaw pain and cervical pain as a result of postural compensations of the jaw and poor breath patterns. Laboratories will broaden your therapeutic toolbox to improve patient outcomes with evidence-based approach to exercise, sEMG use, Myofascial Release and kinesiology taping. John Kelly is a one-of-a-kind instructor who is helping to redefine the medical practice of Speech Language Pathology and interdisciplinary rehabilitation providers.

Disciplines

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

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
• Student

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

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.

Course time(s):
8:00 AM Central (9:00 AM Eastern; 7:00 AM Mountain; 6:00 AM Pacific)
OR
12:00 PM Central (1:00 PM Eastern; 11:00 AM Mountain; 10:00 AM Pacific)

Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) has devastating effects on an individual's quality of life. The complexity of rehabilitation needs can leave the PT, OT and SLP feeling overwhelmed. Patients require specialized, interdisciplinary rehabilitation throughout treatment and survivorship. This intermediate level course for PTs, OTs, and SLPs provides an overview of the evaluation and treatment of dysphagia, dysarthria, trismus, laryngectomy, lymphedema, radiation fibrosis, pain, shoulder dysfunction, cervical and thoracic mobility, and cancer-related fatigue with a multidisciplinary, collaborative rehabilitation approach. Following this course, participants will be able to develop and implement an interdisciplinary, comprehensive rehabilitation program to address the complex needs of this population.

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapy Asst
• 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

So much of what we know about our world comes through our visual system. It affects reading, writing, posture, use of a communication board and so much more, yet we are taught so little about this system that has such a huge impact on the functional abilities of our children. This engaging course will explain the anatomy and physiology of the visual system through evidence-based research and demonstrate the role vision plays in making academics more difficulty for some children. Therapists will learn to recognize the simple signs of undiagnosed vision-based learning impediments so they might better interpret the results of standardized testing. Through lab practice and case studies, attendees will gain confidence in assessing ocular motor and near vision focusing skills then design programs and use modifications to get the best possible outcomes. Attendees will then learn easy and fun techniques for improving these skills.

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

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

Vision is our furthest reaching sense, telling us 75% of what we know about the world around us. Stroke, brain injury and concussion can disrupt the visual system, affecting not just our patient's knowledge of the world around them but also how they interact and move through that world. This course will explain the most common visual consequences of stroke and brain injury from double vision, near vision focusing problems to visual cuts. Participants will learn to assess and document these deficits and learn modifications to improve performance and safety during treatment sessions in the clinic and at home. The participants will learn simple, inexpensive techniques to improve visual symptoms and patient outcomes. Physical, Occupational and Speech therapists will all benefit from a deeper understanding of the functional role of the visual system in their patient's recovery.

Disciplines

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