STARS - Student Therapy and Resource Services

Upper Extremity Nerve Mobilization & Flossing - Webinar
2025-01-27 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Physical and occupational therapists regularly evaluate and treat patients with upper extremity neuromusculoskeletal pathologies. This course will review indications and benefits of integrating nerve mobilization/flossing techniques with a variety of patient conditions. Participants will learn how to integrate these intervention strategies with their clients/patients to improve outcomes. Current evidence will be incorporated during discussion.
Highlights

Immediately improve your ability to treat your client’s upper extremity conditions
Integrate treatments with visual demonstrations and easy-to-follow instruction
Improve ADL’s involving tasks such as gripping and fine motor skills
Techniques to reduce pain, restore function, and further supplement a patient’s progression towards functional goals

Over 75 Quick "On the Spot" Techniques for Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Problems - Live Webinar
2025-01-24 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix)
Leaving nothing to the abstract, “75 Quick, ‘On-the-Spot’ Techniques for Children and Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Problems” will guide you through focused, clear and successful methods for treating children. Every professional who seeks to fill their toolbox with tested methods will leave this seminar with a wealth of fresh ideas and rejuvenated spirits.
If you do not have a lot of experience working with children and teens, you will leave with a defined strategy for success. If you are a seasoned professional, you will learn new tricks and techniques to re-energize and revitalize your practice!

Integrating Incontinence Into Occupational Therapy Treatment Plans - Live Webinar
2025-01-24 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix)
Incontinence limits occupational performance for many of the individuals we see in therapy, and OTPs will walk away from this course understanding how to address it in their treatments. This course will empower OTPs to address incontinence with patients across treatment settings.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify three different types of incontinence OTPs can address in treatment.

After this course, participants will be able to recognize high-risk conditions in patients requiring advanced interventions.

After this course, participants will be able to list 5 potential treatment interventions for incontinence.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-10 Minutes
OT’s role in incontinence

10-20 Minutes
Anatomical review and movement

20-25 Minutes
Bowel incontinence and constipation

25-40 Minutes
Treatments for BI

40-65 Minutes
Urinary incontinence

65-70 Minutes
Treatments for UI

70-80 Minutes
How OTPs address incontinence across different settings, including primary care

80-90 Minutes
Goal writing to promote function

90-100 Minutes
Complex conditions

100-115 Minutes
Intro to biofeedback and when to use it

115-120 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Animal-Assisted Therapy: Meeting Clients’ Therapeutic Goals One Paw at a Time! - Live Webinar
2025-01-24 06:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a unique and powerful therapeutic approach that harnesses the positive effect of human-animal interactions.
However, it is more than bringing your pet to work. It requires a complex set of skills, knowledge, and considerations to ensure the safe and effective integration of animals into therapy – ultimately to achieve successful client outcomes.
Join Tara Moser, LCSW, and Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist, as she teaches you how to confidently integrate AAT interventions that produce results even at the very first session! You’ll learn how to:

Build positive attachment and trust with clients
Reduce anxiety levels and induce a sense of relaxation
Support co-regulation between client and animal
Promote self-control and impulse management
Develop self-awareness, compassion, and empathy
Create strong social-emotional communication skills

But that’s not all, you’ll also learn to keep everyone safe, including how to:

Detect signs of stress in animal’s and client’s body language
Select animals that are well-suited for the client’s specific situation
Align your client’s therapy goals to appropriate AAT interventions
Integrate AAT with modalities you already use
Know when to and when not to include animals in therapy
Determine best practices for in-person vs telehealth
And so much more!

Through case studies, video demonstration and dynamic discussion you will leave this program with the skills and confidence to integrate dogs, cats and various other animals into your practice!

Proactive Well-Being Strategies For Healthcare Professionals - Live Webinar
2025-01-23 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Clinicians and healthcare professionals provide tremendous support to patients and clients. However, the often ongoing roles, responsibilities, and demands common in these professions can result in burnout and exhaustion. This webinar will provide a framework to understand risk factors associated with burnout and strategies to support one’s overall health and well-being.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify risk factors for burnout, fatigue, and stress.

After this course, participants will be able to recognize strategies to support their overall health and well-being.

After this course, participants will be able to identify what professionals can do to prevent these conditions and promote work-life balance.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-15 Minutes
Risk factors for burnout, fatigue, stress

15-25 Minutes
Identifying personal risk factors

25-35 Minutes
Strategies to support health and well-being

35-45 Minutes
Examples of self-care and making self-care a practice behavior

45-55 Minutes
Preventing burnout and promoting well-being

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Differential Diagnosis of Dizziness after a Concussion - Webinar
2025-01-22 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Concussion is a common injury that is often poorly identified and poorly managed. It can occur with a variety of mechanisms and affects all ages. These injuries can recover on their own but often (10-30%) of individuals will have persistent symptoms. There are a variety of symptoms that can be present after a concussive injury and often dizziness is one of the most common. There is also research that states that dizziness at the time of injury will have an impact on overall recovery timeline. Research has shown that individualized treatment results in the best outcomes secondary to the multiple systems that are impacted after these injuries. A challenge to concussion management is that none of the symptoms that are often reported are unique to the injury itself. It is essential that clinicians who work with client’s post-concussion have a clear understanding of the variety of possible contributing factors to the symptom presentation so that they can create a targeted plan of intervention. This individualized plan and understanding will ensure optimal patient outcomes.
This course will highlight the variety of impairments and systems that can contribute to dizziness presentation. We will review differential diagnosis as well as targeted interventions to achieve optimal outcomes and patient recovery. The course will present a variety of strategies as well as case studies to help support differential diagnosis strategy. There will also be objective measures including questionnaires, assessments of the cervical spine, vestibular/oculomotor systems and evaluation of the autonomic nervous system.The learner will be able to take these strategies and targeted approach and be able to apply them the next day in the clinic.
Highlights

Practical assessment and re-assessment strategies as well as interventions for functional deficits, underlying conditions, and co- morbidities
Improve your client’s outcomes and recovery by identifying the potential causes of dizziness after a concussive event
Best practices to target the appropriate intervention for most successful outcome

Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome: The Opposite Of ADHD - Live Webinar
2025-01-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Phoenix)
We have all heard about ADD without the H. This diagnosis is called CDS (Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome). The signs and symptoms are apparent. These clients are easily confused, daydream, have decreased processing time, and are spacey, lethargic, and sluggish. This seminar will help you to better understand this individual and how best to facilitate success in their lives.
Presented By

Tere Bowen-Irish
OTR/L

Tere Bowen- Irish has practiced Occupational Therapy in pediatrics and psychiatry for over 40 years. Through her business, All the Possibilities, she continues to provide treatment, assessment, and consultation for clients. Workshops for therapists, educators, and parents are offered privately or publicly on a variety of topics such as inclusion, child development, classroom management, behavioral challenges, executive function, and other topics relevant to the 21st-century educational system. The focus is on common sense and a practical approach toward empowering educators and students to create a climate of learning, understanding, and inclusiveness for all abilities.
Tere is also the creator/author of The Drive Thru Menu Suite of Exercises, which is an initiative to bring movement and mindfulness into today’s classrooms. She is a certified YogaKids teacher and a Certified Mindful Schools Instructor. She is the author of Yoga and Me, Come be a Tree and co-authored My Mindful Music with Mary Ann Harman. Feel free to contact Tere at tereirish@gmail.com
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to differentiate between a diagnosis of ADHD and cognitive disengagement.

After this course, participants will be able to analyze the daily impact that the characteristics of this diagnosis have on overall functioning at school, home, and community.

After this course, participants will be able to evaluate interventions and treatment based on signs, symptoms and challenges with daily life skills.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-20 Minutes
Overview of this condition

20-40 Minutes
Consideration of co-morbidity, prognosis, and environmental demands

40-55 Minutes
Interventions to promote success

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Changing the ADHD Brain: Moving Beyond Medication - Live Webinar
2025-01-20 07:00 - 15:00 (America/Phoenix)
Many of our clients diagnosed with ADHD prefer not to take medication. There are various reasons for this including side effects and concerns with long-term use. In this seminar, you’ll learn more about these concerns, as well as alternative interventions for ADHD.
Viewing ADHD from a developmental perspective, we will consider the apparent increase in ADHD diagnoses over the past two decades. By understanding the way brains with and without ADHD function, you’ll be able to better identify a variety of neurodivergent-affirming strategies to significantly impact the nervous system and better manage ADHD symptoms in your clients.
Not only will you walk away with updates about evidence-based non-medication interventions for ADHD such as computerized cognitive training, mindfulness meditation, and neurofeedback, you’ll also learn a variety of practical strategies that you and your clients can implement immediately and at low cost.
We’ll navigate the vast research on exercise, movement, diet, sleep, disruptive technologies, supplements, and the impact of the environment on ADHD, summarizing the findings and applying the information to “real life”. You will leave this seminar with the tools and knowledge to develop a holistic approach to working with adults and children with ADHD.

# 306 CAN-EAT Approach …Using medical, motor, & therapy strategies in pediatric feeding - Live Webinar
2025-01-19 06:00 - 2025-01-20 14:00 (America/Denver)
Pediatric feeding and swallowing problems that effect infants and children may be complex and often involve a combination of factors including issues that can make eating painful or difficult. In order to successfully remediate feeding problems, clinicians must understand how medical and nutritional issues can contribute to feeding disorders and use a comprehensive approach to intervention. The CAN-EAT Approach© is a 2-day workshop focusing on medical, nutritional, and therapeutic strategies for children with pediatric feeding disorders.

This course will allow participants to describe how pediatric feeding disorders are defined in the literature, what the contributing factors include, and how this relates to clinical practice. Identify primary gastrointestinal issues (gastroesophageal reflux, constipation, motility disorders, eosinophilic esophagitis, and visceral hyperalgesia) during a feeding evaluation and explain how these issues affect a child’s feeding skill development and ability to progress. Participants will analyze a child’s oral motor function and apply the knowledge in treatment making recommendations for appropriate diet, utensil use, and development of a therapy plan for skill development. Identify signs and symptoms of pharyngeal dysphagia or risk for pharyngeal dysphagia in a child and make appropriate recommendations for further assessment or treatment. Analyze moderate and complex pediatric feeding cases identifying barriers to feeding progression and apply principles to prioritize treatment strategies and write appropriate goals. Describe and apply examples of therapeutic techniques to reduce gagging, improve liquid and food acceptance, improve chewing skill, and wean from a feeding tube.

In the CAN-EAT Approach© “CAN” stands for comfort and nutrition which come first. Day one will focus on strategies to build GI comfort and good growth as well as explore other medical issues that interfere with feeding progression. Day two will focus on therapeutic strategies from a variety of philosophies. “EA” represents establishing acceptance of the spoon, easy textures or mealtime routine. Then “T” stands for therapy for skill development and feeding progression. Therapeutic strategies for common feeding problems will be explored in depth through lecture and video demonstration.

Information is applicable to infants and children from birth to 21 (class will discuss infants but is not focused on infant feeding issues)

Instructor: Krisi Brackett PhD, CCC-SLP, C/NDT

Supporting Adults With IDD In The Workplace: How OTPs Can Play An Integral Role - Live Webinar
2025-01-17 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Phoenix)
Learn how to best support individuals with IDDs within the workplace through thorough and functional evaluations, adaptive and restorative interventions, staff education, and a guided-discovery approach to learning.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify three ways the CO-OP approach can foster learning in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

After this course, participants will be able to recognize two evaluation tools that can be used within the vocational setting to best capture client’s current level of function and best plan of care.

After this course, participants will be able to list three interventions or supports that can be utilized within the vocational setting for individuals with IDD.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-10 Minutes
Definition of IDD with examples and current need to help increase their employment

10-20 Minutes
Identification and discussion on available evaluation tools

20-30 Minutes
Definition of CO-OP approach and examples of evidenced-based practice

30-45 Minutes
Creating plans of care and implementing them using CO-OP

45-55 Minutes
Educating management and advocating for this population, and for OT

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

Presented By

Bridgette Pepmeyer
MOT, OTR/L

Bridgette Pepmeyer has been working as an OT for 12 years in various settings, with a background focusing mainly on neuro-rehabilitation. For the past three years, Bridgette has been helping to run a Café that employs adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and has found that OTs can play a major role in helping these individuals engage meaningfully in employment. Through both adaptive and restorative lenses, and with a strategy-training guided discovery approach like CO-OP, Bridgette has worked to help adults with IDD soar past functional plateaus and gain vocational independence and a heightened sense of self-accomplishment.

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#7314 Interventions for Patients with Brachial Plexus Injury - Live Interactive Webinar
2025-01-16 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Phoenix)
This two-hour webinar will focus on therapeutic techniques used to facilitate improved alignment and muscle re-education for function for patients diagnosed with obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI). Infants with OBPI are immediately identified at birth. The injuries most commonly occur as a result of a difficult birth. A thorough evaluation of the infant, child, or adolescent is critical to assess specific areas of weakness, abnormal movement patterns, and alignment of the whole body throughout the developmental lifespan.
The occupational and physical therapists need an understanding of muscle function and development that occurs as the infant continues to mature and develop. The OT/PT will learn evaluation and intervention strategies for each stage of recovery throughout infancy, childhood, and teen years. The participants will be presented with a detailed overview of the anatomy of the initial nerve injury and the muscular and bony sequelae that often results in lifelong neuromuscular and orthopedic challenges. Developmental biomechanics in relation to treatment will be reviewed. Treatment interventions used for infant/child/adolescent may include: Kinesio tape®, Fabrifoam wraps, casting, orthotics, and compression orthotics. (Intermediate)

Instructor: Patricia (Trish) Martin, PT, Certified Kinesio Taping Instructor and Audrey Yasukawa, MOT, Certified Kinesio Taping Instructor

Clinical Prediction Rules in Neurologic Physical and Occupational Therapy - Webinar
2025-01-16 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
The complexity of neurologic injuries makes for extremely challenging diagnosis and prognosis within physical and occupational therapy practice. Clinicians need evidence- based, practical tools to assist them in providing optimal care and effective reimbursement for patients with neurologic injuries. This course will examine the available clinical prediction rules that can guide diagnosis, intervention, and prognosis and discuss the practical application of these tools across a variety of clinical settings and neurologic diagnoses. Course participants will not only learn how to integrate the most up-to-date research regarding clinical prediction rules into their clinical practice but also discuss the importance of incorporating clinical reasoning and experience into this application.
Highlights

Integrate the most up-to-date research into your clinical practice to maximize patient outcomes
Recognize practical considerations for using clinical prediction rules in clinical practice

Play the Neurodivergent Way - Live Webinar
2025-01-16 06:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Neurodivergent children represent a unique and large part of young clients in play therapy—Autistic, ADHD, learning differences, sensory differences—yet their needs continue to be misunderstood and neglected.
You may unintentionally implement play therapy approaches that can be harmful whereby promoting masking, ableism, and internalized negative self-worth.
As a therapist, being confident that you’re affirming and effective in your play therapy work is essential!
It’s time to embrace and support the diversity of neurological differences!
Join Dr. Robert Grant, expert in working with neurodivergent kids, as he shows you how to celebrate the unique ways in which individual brains function. You’ll learn how to create a safe play therapy environment through interventions, reflective exercises, and case examples for neurodivergent children to explore, heal, and grow!
Play the neurodivergent way, shows you step by step how to implement non ableist and neurodiversity affirming play therapy by:

Understanding the intake process
Setting up your office and play space to honor child’s play preference
Understanding the child’s individual spectrum of presentation
Establishing therapy goals
Implementation of therapy approach and intervention
Completing therapy – termination

Therapists will gain confidence in applying neurodiversity affirming play therapy to help neurodivergent young clients obtain self-acceptance, self-expression, strengths recognition, advocacy, and personal growth.
Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind chance to confidently support your neurodivergent kids!

ADL Adaptations For The Neurologic Upper Extremity - Live Webinar
2025-01-14 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Phoenix)
Due to atypical movement patterns, the neurologic upper extremity has unique functional limitations regarding ADL skills. The learner will dive into individual ADL challenges within this course and identify specific custom activity adaptations, adapted equipment, and home modifications to compensate for these unique impairments. Supporting research articles are included to optimize the learner’s skill set and ensure the provision of evidence-based treatment interventions for the utmost level of care.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to analyze the atypical upper extremity clinical characteristics within various neurologic upper extremity pathologies.

After this course, participants will be able to distinguish customized activity adaptations and/or home safety modifications to reduce the risk of falls in the neurologic population.

After this course, participants will be able to compare/contrast a variety of adapted equipment and assisted devices to achieve personal, meaningful ADL goals with individuals with sensory and motor disorders.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-30 Minutes
Addressing feeding challenges

30-40 Minutes
Addressing grooming challenges

40-55 Minutes
Addressing toileting challenges

55-75 Minutes
Addressing bathing challenges

75-90 Minutes
Addressing UB/LB dressing and footwear challenges

90-100 Minutes
Addressing IADL challenges

100-110 Minutes
Supporting evidence for home assessments and modifications

110-115 Minutes
Addressing mobility challenges

115-120 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

AI For Innovative School-Based OT: Practical Tools For Enhanced Student Support - Live Webinar
2025-01-10 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Phoenix)
Explore how AI can enhance school-based occupational therapy in this one-hour webinar. Learn practical, evidence-based tools to support student success, streamline workflow, and personalize interventions. Ideal for OTs seeking innovative ways to integrate AI for improved outcomes in school settings. Join us to unlock the potential of AI in your practice!
Presented By

Julia Colman
OTD, OTR/L, BCP

Julia Colman, OTD, OTR/L, BCP is a licensed occupational therapist with nearly 10 years of experience in pediatric and mental health practice. She has additional training in infant feeding and swallowing, lactation counseling, and trauma-informed care. Dr. Colman’s current focus is on addressing sensory processing differences, executive functioning, and self-regulation needs using a neurodiversity-affirming approach across practice settings, promoting optimized occupational performance and participation for individuals and populations. She is a full-time faculty member with the Department of Occupational Therapy at Northern Arizona University. She continues to provide OT services in pediatric acute care and private practice settings. She has presented at conferences at the state and national levels and has been published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. She is a faculty advisor for the Pi Theta Epsilon honor society and is an active member of AOTA and ArizOTA.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to identify key AI tools that can support occupational therapy (OT) documentation, assessment, and intervention in school settings.

After this course, participants will be able to recognize the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into school-based OT practice.

After this course, participants will be able to list practical AI applications that enhance student support and streamline OT workflows.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-15 Minutes
Understanding AI in School-Based OT

15-30 Minutes
Practical Tools and Applications

30-40 Minutes
Benefits and Challenges of AI Integration

40-50 Minutes
Guidelines for Implementing AI in Practice

50-55 Minutes
Future of AI in School-Based OT

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

#7302 SIP: Swallowing in Pediatrics - Live Webinar
2025-01-08 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix)
The SIPS (swallowing in pediatrics) course is designed to equip the feeding therapist with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills essential for evaluating and managing pediatric dysphagia effectively for patients birth to 18 years of age. Pediatric dysphagia is defined as any disruption to the swallowing sequence that results in a compromise and safety, efficiency, or adequacy of fluid and or nutritional intake (Dodrill & Gosa, 2015). Throughout our sessions, we will explore the anatomy and physiology of pediatric swallowing, discuss common etiologies and clinical manifestations of dysphagia in children, and review evidence-based assessment tools and therapeutic interventions. We will discuss crucial differences between feeding disorders versus swallowing problems. This class offers a crucial opportunity to enhance your expertise and contribute to improving the quality of life for young patients with swallowing difficulties. Course instruction methods include lecture, videos, case studies and question/answers. (Intermediate Level)

Instructor: Krisi Brackett PhD, CCC-SLP, C/NDT

Optimizing Core Retraining, Part 1 - Live Webinar
2025-01-07 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Phoenix)
Rehab providers talk about “the core” frequently, especially for their patients with spine and lower extremity dysfunction. However, there is a wide range of practice patterns and little consensus regarding optimally training the core. This two-part course overviews current evidence and evidence-supported practices to optimize core retraining.

This is part 1 of a two-part course. This course includes anatomy and physiology of the core, examination techniques, and case studies.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to analyze the anatomy and physiology of the core system.

After this course, participants will be able to apply the relationship of the core system with the body and movement in order to support functional interventions for occupations and functional performance tasks.

After this course, participants will be able to evaluate for appropriate motor control strategies of the core, including sources of impairment if they exist.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Background, review of learning outcomes

5-50 Minutes
Anatomy & physiology of the core

50-100 Minutes
Examination techniques

100-115 Minutes
Case study

115-120 Minutes
Summary, Q&A

Creating a “Sensory Safe” Evacuation Plan - Live Webinar
2025-01-02 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
As the risk of natural disasters continues to rise and threaten the well-being of all people, individuals with Sensory Processing Disorders face specific challenges that may impede their ability to evacuate to safety. This course provides clinicians with an in-depth look at these challenges and the tools needed to help clients develop a “Sensory-Safe” evacuation plan.
Presented By

Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco
MS, OTR/L

Kathryn Hamlin-Pacheco, M.S., OTR/L, is an occupational therapist, former teacher, author, and founder of the Brain Executive Program. She has combined her clinical knowledge with her experience as an educator to create this program aimed at empowering children and their families through everyday neuroscience to be the power-holders and change-makers in their own lives. Her book, How to Be a Brain Executive: And Get Sensory Sharp! was a top Amazon release in two categories. Kathryn graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, where she also worked with the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program to pursue her desire to be an advocate and leader in pediatric healthcare. She developed the Sensory Safe Evacuation Planner and has shared it internationally at conferences as well as written about it for OT Practice Magazine and Autism Parenting Magazine. She enjoys life with her husband, Justin, and their daughter, Mackenzie, wherever the military sends them.
Learning Outcomes

After this course, participants will be able to differentiate between the experience of a natural disaster from the perspective of a person with and without a disability.

After this course, participants will be able to analyze potential challenges that a person with sensory processing dysfunction/disorder might encounter during an evacuation.

After this course, participants will be able to identify an evacuation plan that meets the sensory needs of an individual with sensory processing disorder/dysfunction.

Agenda

0-5 Minutes
Introduction

5-20 Minutes
Natural Disasters and People with Disabilities

20-35 Minutes
Sensory-Based Challenges During Evacuations

35-55 Minutes
Creating an Evacuation Plan to Support Sensory Needs

55-60 Minutes
Summary; Q&A

"Break Through" Self-Regulation Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Autism, ADHD, Sensory or Emotional Challenges - Live Webinar
2024-12-19 08:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix)
Message from Your Presenter …
No one ever said that working with children with autism, ADHD or sensory disorders is easy. Theo will only eat white foods, tends to be buried in his own world and melts when he is transitioned too quickly. Steven, in 6th grade, has ADHD, poor organization skills and an attitude that is hard to break through. But, how do we help a child break through the self-regulation issues that limit their achievements?
I discovered this was a simple question with a complex answer. I set out to learn as much as I could about theories, techniques, and research that could help make the lives of these young people much more manageable and promising. I took intensive courses on multi-sensory approaches, sensory integration, self-regulation, yoga, autism, ADHD and became a certified autism specialist in 2018. I have extensive experience adapting these techniques to make them usable in a variety of settings while working closely with teachers, aides, child study professionals, and parents.
Join me as I guide you through a broad set of self-regulation interventions culled from my years of research and practice along with strategies for adapting them to your setting. You will leave my program with the essential skills, interventions and strategies to help children find harmony with themselves, their families, and the world around them!
You will learn:

The most effective calming, sensory, motor or behavioral techniques for a given type of behavior
Peer-to-peer video feedback as a social intervention for children and teens with ASD
Sleep interventions for children with erratic sleep schedules
Interventions for repetitive and restrictive behaviors for a child with stereotypy
Organization strategies for home and school for teenagers with ADHD
And more!

I look forward to seeing you there! Register today!

Therapeutic Examination and Diagnostic Testing for Patients with Neurological Conditions - Webinar
2024-12-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Phoenix)
It has been estimated that one in six individuals have a neurological condition (PAHO, 2021). Neurological conditions are among the most complex diagnoses seen by practitioners. Conditions involving the neurological system can affect behavior, cognition, memory, movement, pain, and sensory systems. Many neurological diagnoses affect more than one of these areas; therefore, making therapeutic recovery even more challenging. This course will cover the many medical diagnostic tests and therapy-related examinations used to make an accurate diagnosis by physicians and to guide our therapeutic interventions for safe and effective results.
Highlights

Acquire a deeper understanding of commonly utilized examinations and tests used with the neurologically involved population to determine levels of physical and cognitive abilities
Strategies for creating a plan of care for theneurologically involved population for improved safety and outcomes
Increase knowledge of medical diagnostic testing for alumbar puncture, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasonography, electroencephalogram, and nerve conduction studies

Complex Developmental Trauma: Attachment, Neurobiological and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions to Heal the Traumatized Child - Live Webinar
2024-12-18 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
When children’s nervous systems are activated, they’re engulfed in a flood of stress hormones, setting off a chain reaction.
They experience feelings of unsafety, overwhelm, anger, and disconnection, trapping them in their “trauma brain” and hindering the development of executive functioning skills.
“As emotions and bodies spiral out of control, children are often mislabeled with a multitude of diagnoses—ODD, ADHD, anxiety.
We assume the behaviors are intricately connected, rather than just isolated incidents. But what if we approached each symptom individually?
Rather than assigning diagnoses, we’ll implement anxiety interventions to restore feelings of safety, attachment-based approaches to alleviate feelings of loneliness associated with depression, and sensory regulation techniques to better manage emotions activated by sensory memories.”
Join Dr. Christina Reese, a leading expert in attachment and trauma therapy for children, as she guides you through techniques to:

Restore developmental milestones to support recovery from developmental delays
Harness neuroplasticity to reshape beliefs to overcome oppositional behavior
Quiet the hyper-vigilant nervous system to facilitate emotional wellbeing
Bring dysregulated emotions back to a balanced state to strengthen relationships with caregivers
Unlock potential of executive skills by bringing safety and stability
Build treatment plans that focus on symptoms not disorders to bring healing

Let’s make it our mission to unlock the limitless potential residing within every child affected by complex trauma.
Register now!

Impact of Visual Deficits on Motor and Cognitive Development in Infants and Toddlers - Webinar
2024-12-13 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Phoenix)
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children spend up to seven hours a day in front of a screen. Such exposure to screen time has compromised their ability to participate in movement activities to encourage normal visual, motor, cognitive, and social development. The subsequent complications can include difficulty with visual processing,and motor and cognitive development that impact the child’s ability to learn. Screen time influence, coupled with a need to confine children in equipment, has further influenced how children learn. This session seeks to provide ways to identify infants and toddlers at risk for developing visual deficits that can later influence the child’s motor and cognitive development. Clinicians involved with at-risk children can potentially change a child’s developmental trajectory.
This course will highlight ways in which practitioners who work with infants and toddlers can use visual approaches to influence motor and cognitive development. Participants will gain an appreciation for the complexity of the child’s visual development and how this sense influences motor and cognitive skills. An initial review of the visual system, risk factors, and available assessments will be provided; followed by a demonstration of intervention strategies. Through interactive discussion and analysis of a case example, participants will demonstrate practical ways to influence the visual system and provide supportive home programming to families, caregivers, or teachers. The participants will be able to return to their clinic, school, or home settings with the knowledge to support their client’s visual skill development.
The content of this program is germane to children, students and clients ages 0- 18.
Highlights

Evidence review from over 10 articles that highlight the alarming problem associated with visual and motor development due to environmental influences on young children and unfortunate later effects related to learning
Practical ways to address visual, motor, and cognitive development
Interact with a case to develop solutions and create opportunities for carry-over in the home or school settings
Effective, evidence-based interventions to address visual, motor, and cognitive deficits

Advanced Seating and Positioning Strategies in Pediatrics - Webinar
2024-12-12 15:00 - 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Therapists working with pediatrics will regularly treat patients utilizing mobility devices including wheelchairs and medical strollers. It is imperative that clinicians be moderately familiar with seating principles to facilitate improved outcomes and independence. This course focuses on equipping therapists with advanced skills in pediatric seating and positioning, crucial for enhancing functional independence. Participants will delve into seating principles and recommendations commonly applied in pediatric rehabilitation, with a focus on mobility devices such as wheelchairs and medical strollers. Through case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will explore posture, motor control, and mobility planning to facilitate improved outcomes for pediatric patients.
The content of this program is germane to children, students and clients ages 1-21.
Highlights

Effective strategies for optimizing seating and positioning to promote independence in daily activities
Practical assessment skills for identifying postural support needs and addressing mobility concerns

Vestibular Rehab - Webinar
2024-12-12 07:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Nearly 40% of U.S. adults experience vertigo at least once in their lifetime. Physical and occupational therapists have a key role in the evaluation and rehabilitation for these patients who commonly have balance disorders, impaired mobility or difficulty with activities of daily living. A therapist requires an in-depth understanding of physiology and pathophysiology of the vestibular system to help with the differential diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of individuals with vertigo, dizziness, motion sensitivity, or imbalance. Therapists are often the front-line defense for patients with acute dizziness or vertigo, and must perform appropriate screening, examination, and possible referrals for concerning presentations. Therapists must also understand how to appropriately prescribe interventions that are supported by evidence.
This 6-hour course will enhance your ability to evaluate the cause of dizziness and take appropriate next steps.Participants of this course will confidently organize and execute a full vestibular assessment, including pinpointing the cause of dizziness as peripheral or central in origin. No matter the clinical practice setting, participants will learn how to apply this fundamental knowledge and how to effectively communicate with patients and other members of the healthcare team. This course will also give participants the tools to treat common vestibular disorders such as Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis or Meniere’s disease. This course is applicable both to clinicians without vestibular experience and those with vestibular experience who want to further their clinical skills or expand scope of practice.
Highlights

Accurately identify common causes of dizziness
Confidently execute an exam to differentiate between peripheral and central dysfunction
Utilize various outcome measures for patients with dizziness or balance disorders
Interventions and advance a plan of care following clinical practice guidelines
Hands-on practice labs
Cause-and-effect relationship of positional changes and BPPV
Strategies to improve your team’s multi-disciplinary response to dizzy patients

#7355 Improving Coordination for the “Clumsy” Child - Live Webinar
2024-12-06 08:00 - 12:15 (America/Phoenix)
Many school-aged children struggle with higher level motor skills that their peers have developed. These “clumsy” children may demonstrate difficulties with activities of daily living, handwriting, during recess or athletics. The ability to move safely in a coordinated manner requires upright postural control and an accurate understanding of the relationship between self and the environment. This is developed though movement experiences, both successful and erroneous. In this webinar, the underlying etiology of clumsiness, concepts of motor learning and motor control will be discussed in relationship to neuroplasticity and the NDTA™ Contemporary Practice of NDT. The course will discuss evaluation tools to help identify areas of concern and treatment strategies utilizing an integrated approach. Course instruction method includes: Lecture, Demonstration, Videos, Case Studies, and Question/Answer.

Group Counseling for Students: A Complete Framework for Building Healthy Relationships in School and Life - Live Webinar
2024-12-06 07:00 - 14:30 (America/Phoenix)
Large caseloads, lack of time, an overwhelming number of students who struggle to form positive relationships…
Sound familiar? You’re in good company!
Many of the kids who need intervention the most are challenging to work with and seemingly resistant to intervention. And then there’s TIME… there’s never enough of that.
That’s why Dr. Jennifer Rogers, LPC, school counselor, researcher, consultant, and author, created this one-of-a-kind training that will leave you with the tools you need to immediately expand your impact on students without stretching your schedule any further. You’ll leave with:

Step-by-step guidance to address peer-rejection, externalizing behaviors, trouble working with others, and more in 3rd – 6th graders
Concrete strategies for effective and efficient caseload management
TONS of ready-to-go experiential skill-building activities, such as “Who’s on your team?” and the “Nuclear Waste Activity”
Group engagement strategies that work with the most reluctant students
A complete, flexible curriculum and video demonstrations for each activity!

Gain the skills you need to expand your impact across the tiers of intervention without further stretching your schedule! Register today!

Kinesiology Taping Certification for Pediatrics - Webinar
2024-12-06 07:00 - 14:00 (America/Phoenix)
Kinesiology tape has been utilized since the 1970s as a technique for healing the interconnected body. While often thought of as a treatment for athletes, kinesiology taping is very versatile for many patient populations. The pediatric neuromuscular system benefits from early and continuous input for postural development and motor learning. Therapeutic taping provides an additional modality for optimal results across all pediatric patients.
This hands-on and interactive workshop will empower participants to integrate kinesiology tape into their pediatric practice. Through several lab practices and discussions participants will learn to safely and effectively applytherapeutic tape to multiple areas of the body and improve outcomes in various pediatric conditions. Participants will leave with effective evidence-based kinesiology taping strategies to integrate into their toolbox the next day to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Highlights

Apply and modify evidence-based taping techniques for infants and children with diagnoses including torticollis, cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injury, hypotonia, handwriting deficits, feeding issues, and more
Become certified in pediatric kinesiology taping and applications
Expand your kinesiology taping applications to effectively treat issues outside of musculoskeletal dysfunction – articulation, feeding, respiration, constipation, grasp, handwriting, mobility, gait, and balance
Immediately improve children’s posture, gross and fine motor skills, oral motor skills, and decrease pain and scarring
Hands-on labs to practice and review taping principles which you can safely and effectively use the next day

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence's Rapid Growth on Therapy - Webinar
2024-12-05 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Phoenix)
Discover the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on healthcare in this engaging course designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and athletic trainers. Explore how AI is reshaping therapy practices, from personalized patient care to treatment planning. From understanding existing AI tools to envisioning the future implications, attendees will explore the dynamic landscape of AI in healthcare. Through interactive case studies and real-world examples, participants will gain insights into integrating AI tools into their practices, addressing safety concerns, and evaluating the limitations.
Highlights

Immediately implement artificial intelligence (AI) tools that exist into your practice
Examine the safety concerns that exist surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and how its limitations affect its utility

2-Day Conference: Play Therapy: Engaging Powerful Techniques for the Treatment of Disruptive Behavior Disorders and Trauma - Live Webinar
2024-12-05 09:00 - 2024-12-06 17:00 (America/Phoenix)
Childhood Disruptive Behavior Disorders are on the rise! Tantrums, anger, defiance, threatening behavior …
How can we as therapists more effectively decrease acting-out behaviors and help repair, rebuild and create strong parent-child relationships?
Join me, Clair Mellenthin, expert in child and family trauma and attachment, as we dive into the impact of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder on children, teens, and their families. You’ll learn effective, powerful, evidence-based play therapy interventions including guided imagery, mindfulness, expressive arts, and sand tray play – all of which include parent-child relationship enhancement activities.
This workshop will show you how:

the impact of attachment plays a role in the etiology in childhood disruptive behavior disorders
to utilize attachment-centered play therapy techniques to treat these diagnoses in children
to strengthen parent-child relationships
to improve overall self-esteem and confidence – giving the child tools to control their challenging symptoms and help heal the family system.

Register today to explore the power of play therapy – and incorporate these strategies into your mental health practices with young clients and their families!

#7324 Introduction to Contemporary Neuro- Developmental Therapy (NDT) for the Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists and Occupational Therapy Practitioners - Live Webinar
2024-12-04 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Phoenix)
This course is designed to be an introduction to the Contemporary Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT) clinical practice model and its application to the pediatric speech-language pathologist and occupational therapists. NDT is an interdisciplinary, dynamic, hands-on, problem solving approach used in the treatment of children and adults with neurological pathophysiological impairments. Intervention involves direct handling to optimize function in the areas of swallowing, feeding, speech production, and voice. Participants will learn how positioning of the body relates to the function of the mouth, as well as simple strategies to facilitate improvement of speech and language and feeding functional outcomes. Practical application of material will be presented through lecture, video clips, movement practicum and discussions. Course instruction method includes: lecture, demonstration, videos, group discussion, lab practice, and question/answers.

Instructor: Patsy Tate, MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT
