Annual School Conference – Speaker Highlight – Barbara Connolly PT, DPT, EdD, C/NDT, FAPTA

We are thrilled to bring ERI Faculty member and expert Barbara Connolly to our Annual Therapies in the School Conference. 

Her keynote address: Decisions for Today, Implications for Tomorrow: Long Term Outcomes over the Life Span for Students with Special Needs and concurrent session: Assessment of Sensory Processing Issues in High-risk Populations: Down Syndrome will give you tools to implement immediately.

Dr. Barbara Connolly received her BS degree in physical therapy from the University of Florida; a DPT degree from the University of Tennessee; a M,Ed. degree in special education with a minor in speech pathology and an EdD in curriculum and instruction from the University of Memphis.

Barbara Connolly PT, DPT, EdD, C/NDT, FAPTA

She is Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center where she served as Chair of the Physical Therapy Department for 24 years and Interim Dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences for 2 years. She was a Trustee for the Foundation for Physical Therapy , a foundation dedicated to funding physical therapy research and served as President of the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research from January 2015 – December 2016. She served as President of the International Organization of Physical Therapists in Pediatrics, a subgroup of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy from it’s inception in 2007 until 2015. She also has served on the APTA Board of Directors, on the APTA Pediatric Specialty Council and the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialists. She was President of the Section on Pediatrics of the APTA from 2002 – 2006.

 

She received the Bud DeHaven Leadership Award, the Research Award and the Jeanne Fischer Distinguished Mentorship Award from the Section on Pediatrics. She is a recipient of the Golden Pen Award from the American Physical Therapy Association for her publications. In 2002, she received one of the highest honors from the APTA when she was named a Catherine Worthingham Fellow. In 2014, she received the Marilyn Moffat Leadership Award and in 2015, she received a Lucy Blair Service Award.

She is the first author of more than 32 publications in peer reviewed journals, has written 21 book chapters and has coauthored or edited seven textbooks for physical therapists. In February 2020, the 4th Edition of her textbook, Therapeutic Exercises in the Developmental Disabilities was published. She is certified in NDT and in SI. She continues to provide professional development courses both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Connolly will present on the second day of the conference:

Decisions for Today, Implications for Tomorrow: Long Term Outcomes over the Life Span for Students with Special Needs

Learn the effects of aging in children, adolescents, and adults with lifelong disabilities (LLDs). Effects on the somatosensory, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular/pulmonary systems are discussed. Implications for interventions during the school age years will be emphasized.

Assessment of Sensory Processing Issues in High-risk Populations: Down Syndrome

Children with Down Syndrome are at risk for sensory processing problems due to neuroanatomical
differences in the structure of their brains when compared to the “typical” brain. Additionally, recent
research has shown that children with Down Syndrome score differently on standardized tests of sensory processing when compared to the typically developing child. This course will provide an overview of the etiology of sensory processing problems in children with Down Syndrome and discuss the evaluation tools that can be used to identify problems in this population.

Find out more information here:

Therapies in the School Conference 2021
November 18-19, 2021

Create your own track with 5 afternoon sessions to choose from on each day. Something for everyone.

Download the Brochure Here: Therapies 2021 Brochure

Annual School Conference – Session Highlight – Sarah Ward M.S., CCC/SLP

Don’t miss this dynamic keynote session on Day 1 of Therapies in the School with internationally renowned faculty Sarah Ward

Learn it Today, Use it Tomorrow:
Practical Strategies to Facilitate Independent Executive Function Skills

Whether your student needs to complete homework or do classwork, or be attentive and productive during independent work time or group instruction, in this practical strategies seminar you will learn concrete tools to help students efficiently initiate, transition, plan and manage their tasks, time-space, and materials (and keep their emotions in check!). This seminar is all about providing dozens of practical strategies that you can learn today and implement tomorrow! From task initiation and execution to time management, practice using strategies such as ‘Future Sketch’, ‘Get Ready, Do, Done’, ‘STOP and Read the Room’, and seeing and sensing the passage of time. Many useful resources, guides, and learning tools will be provided.

Sarah Ward M.S.,CCC/SLP

This session will be taught by Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP who has over 25 years of experience in diagnostic evaluations and treatment of executive dysfunction. Sarah is an internationally recognized expert on executive function and presents seminars and workshops on the programs and strategies she has developed with her Co-Director Kristen Jacobsen. Their 360 Thinking Executive Function Program received the Innovative Promising Practices Award from the National Organization CHADD. She has presented to and consulted with over 1600 public and private schools in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Awards received include: Bette Ann Harris Award (2017), MGH Expertise in Clinical Practice Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award(2005) and the Faculty in Excellence Award from the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions (2002, 2011) and ACE award from ASHA 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

 

Find out more information here:

Therapies in the School Conference 2021
November 18-19, 2021

Create your own track with 5 afternoon sessions to choose from on each day. Something for everyone.

Download the Brochure Here: Therapies 2021 Brochure

Special Offer to Celebrate All Neonatal Therapists

As we round out International Neonatal Therapy week we would like to offer a special discount to our community of passionate neonatal therapists:

Receive a $25 discount when registering for one of the following 2021 live webinars

Use Code INTW2021 before October 8 2021

Discounts apply to the following courses. Not to be used in combination with other discounts or course credits. Non-Transferable. Must be applied at the time of registration.

Challenges and Solutions for Infants and Children with Complex Feeding and Swallowing Disorders
Course Faculty -Joan Arvedson
October 1 and 2, 2021
8:40 am EST • 7:40 am CST • 6:40 am MST • 5:40 am PST (US)
Learn to treat children’s complex feeding challenges in a variety of settings including NICU, schools, and rehabilitation clinics.

Babies’ Bodies and Brains: Multi-System Assessment and Treatment of the Premature/Medically Complex Infant for the Rehabilitation Professional
Course Faculty -Holly Schifsky
October 15 and 16, 2021
8:40 am EST • 7:40 am CST • 6:40 am MST • 5:40 am PST (US)
(Formerly named “Baby Beats – Level 2:  Multi-System Assessment and Treatment of the Premature/Medically Complex Infant for Rehabilitation Professionals”)
Building on “Baby Beats and Breaths”, advance your knowledge further to learn a systems-based approach to assessing and treating the premature/medically complex infant in the NICU/PICU setting to advance motor and feeding skills

October 22 and 29, 2021

9:40 am EST • 8:40 am CST • 7:40 am MST • 6:40 am PST (US)
Learn how to treat the complex neonate using a neuroprotective framework in this interactive and engaging course.

October 29 and 30, 2021
9:40 am EST • 8:40 am CT • 7:40 am MST •  6:40 am PT (US)
Expand evaluation skills and learn intervention techniques for infants struggling with feeding or swallowing.

November 5 and 6, 2021
8:40 am EST • 7:40 am CST • 6:40 am MST • 5:40 am PST (US)
(Formerly named “Baby Beats – Level 2: Multi-System Assessment and Treatment of the Premature/Medically Complex Infant for Rehabilitation Professionals”)Building on “Baby Beats and Breaths”, advance your knowledge further to learn a systems-based approach to assessing and treating the premature/medically complex infant in the NICU/PICU setting to advance motor and feeding skills.

Intervention in the NICU: A Neurodevelopmental Approach
Course Faculty -Roberta Gatlin
November 12 and 13, 2021
9:40 am EST •  8:40 am CST • 7:40 am MST •  6:40 am PST (US)
A hands-on course designed to increase the NICU therapist’s knowledge through evidenced-based assessments and interventions.

NEW Bridging the Gap: Outpatient Rehabilitation Considerations for the Infant with Cardiopulmonary Compromise
Course Faculty – Holly Schifsky
December 3, 2021
11:40 am EST • 10:40 am CST • 9:40 am MST • 8:40 am PST (US)
Learn assessment and treatment skills to maximize infant development and feeding skills for the premature or medically fragile infant with cardiopulmonary compromise who is transitioning to outpatient rehabilitation.

This was literally one of the BEST courses I have ever taken! I feel like I got so much valuable information that can change the way I treat in the NICU. These speakers are such a wealth of knowledge and presented in a way that way easy to follow.
Jennifer Quaranto, OTR/L

We offer a comprehensive selection of live courses and webinars:
Continuing Education Courses for Neonatal Therapists
Please look out for new speakers, topics and dates being added in 2022

Thank You to Our Community of Dedicated Neonatal Therapists!

NANT and ERI are professional partners

At ERI, we know that neonatal therapists have an emotional connection to their profession and are always looking for ways to improve upon their practice. To help these therapists meet their professional goals, we have partnered with National Association of Neonatal Therapists (NANT) and offer exceptional neonatal continuing education courses taught by renowned faculty.  

Our courses teach the latest techniques and treatments that can be immediately applied to practice helping therapists improve outcomes in the NICU and beyond. The CEU hours from our evidence-based NICU courses count toward the required 40 hours of education for certification offered by the Neonatal Therapy National Certification Board (NTNCB).

If you’re a neonatal therapist looking to grow your career and improve outcomes, register for one of our life-changing neonatal courses which will remind you why you became a therapist and why you love what you do.  

We offer a comprehensive selection of live courses and webinars:
Continuing Education Courses for Neonatal Therapists

And use our advanced search feature, to search by date, speaker, topic to find an upcoming course. New speakers, topics and dates are continually being added to meet your needs.

Look out for special offer coming for neonatal therapists!

“This was one of the best courses I’ve ever taken! ……………………….. Holly’s expertise and ability to educate yet engage the audience was phenomenal! Thank you for bringing this course to us! Many immediately applicable items I was able to take back to the NICU the very next day”. Laurie Niederhauser, PT

Scholarship Winners Announced! Advancing Excellence in Infant Care 2021

Thank you to all for applying for the Advancing Excellence in Infant Care Scholarship that Dr. Brown’s Medical has generously funded. We were inspired by each of your compelling submissions.

We are thrilled to congratulate the scholarship recipients:

Julie Blanshan Brett an SLP working in the NICU, cleft palate team and CVICU at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida. She exemplifies the value of leadership through her role as the clinical team leader for her site. She has practiced in the NICU for 22 years and has remained committed to providing supervision and mentorship to fellow clinicians and students throughout her career.

AND

Mary Cooper an OT working in the NICU at Beaumont Children’s in Michigan. She exemplifies the values of leadership and passion for improving the lives of infants and their families through her 4 years of experience in the NICU. When she was hired into her multi-disciplinary outpatient clinic, there was not a NICU presence. After identifying the unmet needs, she started to build a presence in her NICU and now serves as the part-time OT and has added a part time PT. She is committed to learning and enhancing NICU care.

Annual Awards Provide Neonatal Therapists Exceptional Continuing Education Opportunities

The scholarships are awarded to two neonatal therapists who demonstrate the core values of collaboration, integrity, and a passion for improving the lives of the infants and families they serve.

Julie and Mary will receive free tuition to an ERI continuing education live webinar to help them further their potential to significantly contribute to therapy practice in the NICU

CONGRATULATIONS!