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

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

Childhood through young adult is a formidable time for cognitive development - but what happens when that is disrupted by an acute brain injury? Our assessments and treatment approaches need to be age appropriate for behavior, communication, and cognition. Functional cognitive skills allow us the ability to be functional and independent individuals -and that independence varies according to age. This course will review the neuroanatomy of the brain and theories of neuroplasticity. Participants will learn how to assess cognition and develop a treatment plan based on specific evaluations for acquired neurological injury in the medical model, and also address some of the challenges associated with this population.

Disciplines

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

This intermediate level workshop offers PTs, OTs, ATs and Chiropractors an opportunity to gain new knowledge through lecture and a focus on the hands-on application of electrotherapy, including acute and chronic pain treatment approaches.

Disciplines

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

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

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

Are you an SLP or OT and are struggling to treat Pediatric Feeding Disorder or Selective Feeding Disorder? This course will give you the nuts and bolts of feeding therapy, so you have solid tools for evaluating and treating kids as soon as you go back to work! Build your confidence evaluating and treating a variety of children with sensory, behavioral, and oral motor concerns so you know how to plan your sessions and counsel parents. From evaluation to discharge, we will cover case studies, sensory and behavioral feeding treatment techniques, and what to do in tricky situations. Leave this course feeling ready to take on complex and challenging feeding patients including children with sensory concerns, ASD, oral motor deficits, gastrointestinal concerns, and more.

Disciplines

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

Getting outcomes in wound care requires putting an array of puzzle pieces together. This course will show participants how those pieces fit together. Seeing the full picture will help the therapist's clinical understanding of causes, assessments, treatments and prevention. This course will focus on the underlying factors that increase the risk for wounds so a more effective interdisciplinary team can prevent or help with the successful healing of the many different types of wounds. Common problems associated in wound care such as staff education and obtaining the necessary items needed to assist with positive outcomes will be presented. The course will review common misconceptions and mistakes when classifying wound types and staging pressure ulcers. For individuals with diabetes, neuropathy and its consequences will be presented. Participants will leave this course with knowledge to help bring healing and relief to their patients.

Disciplines

• Physical Therapist
• Physical Therapy 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.

Course time(s):
9:00 AM Central (10:00 AM Eastern; 8:00 AM Mountain; 7:00 AM Pacific)


Outpatient therapy services continue to be on the audit radar for various Medicare and private insurance carriers medical review entities for coding and billing issues. The seminar will teach participants the correct use of CPT codes for modalities and interventions used by physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and speech-language pathologists in all outpatient settings. The seminar will discuss Medicare's "8-minute rule", definition of substantial per the American Medical Association, and provide billing scenarios to ensure therapists bill correctly to all insurance carriers. Finally, the seminar will teach participants the latest on the Medicare therapy threshold, targeted medical review for claims exceeding $3,000 in a calendar year, how the application of the multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) policy impacts your payment for Medicare beneficiaries receiving outpatient therapy services and when to and when not to issue an ABN to a Medicare beneficiary.

Due to the disproportionate amount of CPT codes for OT's and PT's, the CPT portion of the webinar is divided into 70% OT/PT specific guidelines and 30% SLP specific guidelines. All other course material is applicable across disciplines.

Disciplines

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

Get ready for a logical and clear approach to the evaluation and treatment of the fascinating, yet sometimes intimidating injured shoulder! Effective treatment strategies will be presented, continually applying the theory in practical lab sessions. Click on Course Details/Registration to the right for more information

Disciplines

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

Poor reading, poor handwriting, clumsiness…it all ends in a referral for the school-based therapist. But is it sensory? Behavior? ADHD? Dyslexia? Something else?? This course will teach the school-based therapist to recognize the signs of a vision-based learning problem, then assess the visual system to uncover the root cause of academic difficulty. The therapist will learn the best standardized assessments to capture the visual dysfunction and simple, inexpensive techniques to improve ocular motor skills to improve academic performance.

Disciplines

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

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

Have fun at the course, have fun with your clients! Join us in therapeutic play - the NDT way! This interactive basic level course for OT/COTA 's, PT/PTA's and SLP's will emphasize treatment strategies to promote "natural ways to play" in the child with neurological involvement. Therapists will learn introductory handling techniques to optimize postural control and visual/perceptual skills. Participants will learn how neuromotor control and influences of the sensory systems impact functional outcomes. Participants will learn basic components of Integrative Yoga Therapy (IYT) and how these strategies relate to NDT. Therapists will be challenged to facilitate creative play with the children they work with and gain knowledge in the value and foundation of "play". This course will take you through lecture, handling and movement labs, interactive discussions and problem -solving to spark individual creativity and basic understanding of NDT and IYT.

Disciplines

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

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

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

Children with autism who are nonverbal can be a challenge to work with. From aggressive behaviors to slow or no progress, clinicians and parents may face many obstacles. Melodic Based Communication Therapy (M.B.C.T.) has been shown to be a successful method for improving social skills, imitation, and verbal expression in this population. Participants will explore the impact of melody and rhythm on the human brain, review the history of the use of melody for the nonverbal population with autism as well as the current evidence to support its use, actively participate in and master the 10 steps to successfully using M.B.C.T. to elicit verbal communication, and discuss modifications to the program in order to use it effectively in any clinical or home setting. Become an M.B.C.T. Level 1 Certified Provider and join a registry of professionals proficient and qualified in this technique. Be ready to implement strategies learned in this course the very next day.

Disciplines

• Speech Language Pathologist
• Speech Language Pathology Asst
• Various Important Professions
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Occupational Therapist
• Teacher

NEW COURSE FALL 2011!
The “Mobile Electrode Technique”(MET) is a moveable e-stim application that brings much more flexibility to treatment compared to the static limitations of traditional e-stim. It’s simple and precise. MET will be discussed, demonstrated and practiced as a means to enhance clinical applications in which e-stim is integrated for therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, patient education and other therapeutic interventions.
Note: Bring appropriate clothing for labs (shorts, short sleeve shirt, etc))

Disciplines

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

Challenging caseloads requires multi-discipline interaction and a skilled treatment methodology. This course is designed to introduce the rehabilitation specialist to treatment techniques appropriate for soft tissue restrictions that contribute to dysfunctional movement patterns in neurological diagnoses. Individual lectures review involved muscular and fascial anatomy tying biomechanics and kinesiology into specific soft tissue mobilization techniques appropriate to improving functional independence. Case studies are designed to correlate common functional symptoms that contribute to clinical impairments and exemplify the application of suggested manual techniques. The emphasis of this practical seminar is placed on the relationship of soft tissue restrictions to functional impairment whereby applying theory to practical intervention with manual therapy adds a whole new dimension to patient care.

Disciplines

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

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

This practical, interactive two-day workshop for rehabilitation teams will address evaluation and treatment techniques appropriate for soft tissue limitations that contribute to compensated functional mobility and caregiver dependence. An informative and focused laboratory component provides PT’s, OT’s and their assistants with basic practical skills in palpation, seating and positioning, soft tissue assessment and mobilization as it pertains both to functional reach of the upper extremity and the gait sequence in clinical practice.

Disciplines

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

This course, titled Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for the Management of Muscle Wasting, consists of an online video and a live component. The online video course lasts 2 hours and is divided in two parts. The first part of the deals with the fundamentals of electrical stimulation and the second part focuses on the fundamentals of the neuromuscular system.

Completion of the 2hr online video course is a prerequisite to attending the live course. The live course is 1.5 days and includes lectures on evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making process, research-based evidence, and contraindications and risks associated with the practice of NMES. It also includes the presentation of clinical protocols and plenty of hands-on sessions under supervision.

Disciplines

• Occupational Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Physical Therapy Asst
• Chiropractor, DC

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

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

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

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

This course will provide a review of the history of enteral/parental nutrition as well as the factors involved in the decision making process. Various Advance Directives will be reviewed specifically looking at their nutrition/hydration choices.

Disciplines

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

Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) for the Rehab Professional (Blue Track) is designed to educate occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in the use of electro-physical agents in the areas of electrical stimulation (pulsed, alternating, and direct current), and superficial and deep thermal agents. This course is open to ATs, OT/COTAs and PT/PTAs.

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

Disciplines

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

Physical Agent Modalities (PAMs) is designed to educate occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants in the use of electro-physical agents in the areas of therapeutic electrical current and therapeutic ultrasound. The course also serves as a modalities update for physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and athletic trainers.


Please bring lab attire that allows for access to the shoulder (e.g. loose fitting t-shirt, tank top etc.)
Equipment and electrodes are provided for hands-on labs. Each participant will receive a course manual at check-in

Disciplines

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

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

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

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.
The process of sensory integration was first described in-depth by occupational therapist A. Jean Ayres in 1972. Since then, awareness by physicians, teachers, therapists and parents has soared; which means a greater prevalence in therapists' caseloads. The challenges therapists, educators and families face can be daunting. This workshop offers evidence-based sensory strategies to bring to the classroom, clinic or home the very next day. Tools from this course include the curriculum from the instructor's book "Learn to Move, Move to Learn!" The instructor will walk participants in this interactive course through the neuroscience foundations of sensory processing disorder (SPD) to understand the "why" of certain behaviors and how best to address the client's and family's needs. Participants will receive treatment plans for early intervention, preschool and elementary school children. They will also learn to design their own sensorimotor play-based lessons and benefit from the numerous videos, case studies and hands-on labs throughout the course.

Due to price changes with the publisher, the book, "Learn to Move, Move to Learn" will no longer be included as part of the registration.

Disciplines

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

This workshop helps us understand and recognize the differences in "Normal" and NOT "Normal" aging. Demonstrate, participate and develop new skills related to Approach, Cueing, and Ability to connect with people living in a relationship with dementia. Typical issues that occur from early stage, mid-stage, and end-stage dementia will be identified, problem solving scenarios and discussions. Learners will develop better observational skills to be able to recognize and intervene effectively when behavioral challenges occur. This workshop emphasizes the value of matching helping behaviors to a person's needs and their retained abilities. By creating a positive, caring environment and decreasing combative situations we learn to share information and pay attention to what people living with dementia are able to still do.

Disciplines

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

This one and 1/2 day highly interactive course uses lecture, clinical expertise, and guided practice to teach therapists “how” to approach the (older) adult with degenerative conditions and/or chronic diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis, heart disease and in particular Parkinson’s Disease (PD) to be more effective in clinical outcomes, thus enhancing a fuller life.

Disciplines

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

This session will explore the scientifically-based practice of progress monitoring, a set of activities which assesses student performance. Progress monitoring will also be examined from the lens of understanding intervention effects, including the fidelity of implementation when specially designed interventions are assigned to instructional partners for delivery. Participants will experience how progress monitoring works in the context of both the therapeutic and IEP processes, the benefits and challenges of progress monitoring IEP goals, and how progress monitoring is particularly valuable in curriculum-based IEP development, documentation, and effectiveness assessment.

Disciplines

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

In this hands-on program you will discover how to manage conflict resolution; learn techniques for sustaining a positive therapeutic atmosphere anchored in the patient’s motivation for improvement; practice communications that empower patients; and develop successful strategies for reducing caregiver burn-out and empathy fatigue. Click on Course Details/Registration to the right for more information

Disciplines

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

So much of what we know about our world comes through our visual system. It affects reading, writing, posture, use of communication, and some 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 course presents the most complete pediatric vision course curriculum ever offered. This expanded course will explain the anatomy and physiology of the visual system and, through evidence-based research, demonstrate the role vision plays in making academics more difficult 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. Therapists will learn the common signs of dyslexia and get the truth on computer vision syndrome. Attendees will then learn easy and fun techniques for improving these skills. This course offers a curriculum to make the novice therapist into the "go-to" vision resource.

Disciplines

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

Learn the primary factors and strategies of pediatric feeding, Sensory/Motor/Behavioral and how to analyze them for treatment.

Disciplines

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

This brand new course will teach therapists to integrate health and wellness strategies into the daily lives of children and teens who struggle with sensory disorders that impact emotional regulation, attention span, problem solving skills, social interactions, and physical health. As the number of children with sensory processing disorder increases and the correlation between nature-deficit disorder and prevalent childhood disorders is established, it is imperative for therapists to incorporate sensory wellness strategies into their therapeutic interventions. Implementing these strategies into daily life activities improves a child's neurophysiological symptoms resulting from sensory processing disorder.
In this course therapists will learn about the evidence-based therapeutic benefits for youth of yoga, exposure to nature such as green and blue spaces, therapeutic gardening, and much more. Participants will develop a repertoire of fun sensory wellness strategies which can be applied to daily life experiences ultimately helping children develop skills for physical and emotional well-being. What to bring: Yoga mat, feathers, bubbles, straws, streamers, small bean bag or bean bag animal, small stickers that can be placed on fingers

Disciplines

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

Have you encountered a family who is struggling to feed their child? Perhaps the child only eats a few select foods or is unable to sit at the table peacefully. These challenges are global and unfortunately threaten, not only the child's nutritional well-being, but the relationship between caregiver and child. According to a recent publication in Pediatrics, Feb 2015, "Parents of young children worldwide are concerned about feeding difficulties". Feeding disorders are recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Addition (DSM-V) and it is concluded that eating a restricted number of foods or displaying a fear of eating is disordered and may have long standing health implications for those who suffer from such challenges. Seiverling et al. estimated up to eighty-nine percent of children with Austism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit problematic feeding and eating habits, including food hyper selectivity, food refusal and disruptive mealtime behaviors (2011). In this intermediate course, we will examine prevalent diagnosis associated with such feeding disturbances (ASD, neophobia, ARFID) and explore the underlying causes of selective eating in order to develop clinical treatment pathways. Areas of impact will be examined, and treatment solutions will be derived as we work as a team to assist our children and families navigate extreme food hyper-selectivity. Strategies to create peaceful mealtime experiences while increasing the child's comfort level with food will be discussed. Case studies and learning activities will be used to facilitate problem solving and global application of evidence-based intervention. Practitioners who serve children and families impacted by feeding challenges are encouraged to attend.

Disciplines

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

A two-day hands-on interactive splinting course designed for therapist and other health professionals interested in advancing their splinting skills!
Click on Event Detail/Registration to the right for more information and Course calendar

Disciplines

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

Course time(s):
9:00 AM Central (10:00 AM Eastern; 8:00 AM Mountain; 7:00 AM Pacific)

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

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

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

There are two ways to participate in this live event, as either part of the live studio audience in Gulf Breeze, Florida or via live stream around the world. Live stream participants will receive instructions in the confirmation e-mail on how to access the event from their computer and interact with the instructor. Studio audience seats are limited - so register now! Please contact our office if you have any questions. 850-916-8886.
Course begins: 9:00 AM Central (10:00 AM Eastern; 7:00 AM Pacific)

Aging impacts all the systems in the body including the respiratory system, sensory system, gastrointestinal system, endocrine system and muscular system. This course will discuss the physiological changes that occur in the body with aging and how these changes impact our swallow, nutrition and diet selection and create challenges for mastication, swallowing, digestion and nutrition/hydration. This course is beneficial for any discipline working with our growing geriatric population.

AOTA Factors: Domain of OT: Client Factors, Performance Skills

Disciplines

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

Juggling a challenging caseload of vestibular and balance patients? This 2-day interactive introductory course for PT/PTA’s, OT/COTA’s and ATCs will walk you across the tight-rope of assessment, treatment plans, exercise programs, documentation, billing and successful program development for patients needing intervention with various balance challenges.

Disciplines

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

The range of function in older children with "hypotonia" varies greatly. Hypotonia can impact function greatly or slightly. In this introductory course, the participants will learn through lecture, labs and videos intervention ideas for promoting play and function in older children (3-13 years). The intervention ideas will be based on NDT and SI approaches as well as some ideas from the sports medicine arena. This course will include postural control activities and interventions, activities to integrate ATNR and STNR reflexes, assistive devices for upright mobility, as well as visual motor activities and midline crossing skills required for higher level gross and fine motor skills. Speech therapists will learn the importance of postural alignment and support for breath control as well as play ideas to promote language and communication through play.

Disciplines

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

This introductory level course will utilize lecture, video and hands-on lab sessions to teach participants in this course therapeutic techniques and interventions to help the young child (birth to 3 years) with hypotonia, regardless of the cause, through the developmental stages from supine to standing. This course will be based on NDT and SI principles to facilitate functional skills including gross motor, fine motor and postural control. By considering the internal and external factors which can impact arousal, posture and functional skills, participants will help young children achieve their highest functional level.

Disciplines

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

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

This is a course for therapists who are interested in learning about tracheostomy and ventilator dependent assessments and treatment approaches. Improve your knowledge base and skills; whether you are an SLP who is currently working with tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients or if you would like to develop the knowledge and skills to help you learn more about this subspecialty. Learn about the types of tracheostomies, speaking valves, and treatment strategies available to you to help your patients wean off the vent and successfully decannulate. This is an intermediate course, and basic knowledge of dysphagia and voice therapy is required. SLPs working with trach and vent patients are challenged with getting instrumental assessments, treatment strategies, and communicating the role of the SLP in assessing and treating this unique population to their multidisciplinary teams. This course will present the physiological and structural changes of the trachea following a tracheostomy and offers guidelines and treatment strategies to initiate po intake and achieve voicing using speaking valves. This course aims to educate SLPs on everything related to working with patients that have acquired a tracheotomy and are vent dependent.

Disciplines

• 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. as part of 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.

This interactive course will take the fear out of helping patients with severe dysphagia who require tube feeding. Participants will leave this course with a strong foundation, and a better understanding, of the many considerations involved with tube feeding. 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 during this transition period. This course is designed for anyone working with individuals who are facing, or living with, a feeding tube such as SLPs, OTs, Dysphagia Specialists and Nurses. Family members are also welcome to attend. Discussion will include topics such as history, tube basics, feeding methods, tips and techniques, common complications, equipment care and medical considerations. The psychology of tube feeding, impact on the family and mealtime dynamics as well as the heart and mind connection will also be discussed.

Disciplines

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

Your patient complains of double vision, and dizziness. The chart says your patient is "legally blind". Your patient is having problems reading. These are common issues for adult patients of the rehab therapist, but the root causes of these issues are frequently misunderstood, so interventions are not effective. Therapists are presented the functional problems of visual dysfunction every day. Many therapists do not recognize these complaints as visual issues due to a lack of understanding of the changes that may occur in the adult visual system. This course will help therapists recognize how naturally occurring changes in the visual system affect function. They will learn the questions to ask when your patient tells you they had cataract surgery, or they see double. Attendees will know the visual issues that can cause falls or reading problems and how to assess and improve the visual system so their patient can continue the activities they love. Attendees will learn to assess the adult visual system and develop activities to improve the most common visual complaints. They will even understand glasses better and be able to help their patient pick the eye care professional to best manage their visual complaints. This course will make you into a vision-aware therapist so you can recognize visual dysfunction better and provide interventions that get results where others have not.

Disciplines

• Certified Occupational Therapy Asst
• Physical Therapist
• 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 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)

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

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

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

Exercise is the key ingredient to rehabilitation and dysphagia rehabilitation is no different. The skilled clinician must have a variety of treatment tools available to facilitate an effective exercise program. Ten years ago, VitalStim Therapy introduced NMES as such a tool and it has proven very effective. This course will take the VitalStim Provider to a new level using NMES for dysphagia therapy. The course will review the core concepts underpinning successful use of NMES in the dysphagic patient. 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. This dynamic course will focus on hands on skills. The participants will work with the latest technology combining VitalStim, NMES, sEMG and sEMG triggered stimulation.

The participants will receive one-on-one attention from a certified VitalStim instructor.


NOTE: Participant must be a VitalStim Provider to attend this advanced level course. This course focuses on combining VitalStim, NMES, sEMG and sEMG triggered stimulation using the new VitalStim Plus technology, therefore it does not count toward VitalStim renewal.