NEW Feeding Course for Pediatric Therapists

Sensory processing, structural differences and varying experiences can each play a role in feeding challenges for children through adults. Join speaker, Danielle Carey, CCC-SLP, during this live webinar to strengthen your holistic approach to assessment and intervention for clients with feeding challenges, looking at muscle weakness, abnormal rest posture and swallowing patterns, sensory processing differences, retained reflexes, the mealtime environment, and more. 

feeding and swallowing disorders

Pediatric Feeding Difficulty in Infants through Adolescents

Feeding challenges in childhood through adulthood can arise from sensory differences, structural differences, a lack of experience with advanced textures, or all the above. Enhance your feeding knowledge with this holistic approach that acknowledges the role of structural differences, retained reflexes, sensory differences, muscle weakness, and abnormal breathing/rest posture/swallow patterns on mealtime participation and eating. We’ve offered three dates to choose from: 

Danielle will take the therapist through determining how to functionally assess for tongue ties and to determine when releases are warranted. You’ll also learn and embrace a neurodiversity affirming approach that accounts for individual differences including emotional support and counseling techniques that contribute to positive outcomes for clients and families struggling with feeding. This new course is full of insightful strategies and practical information that feeding therapists can start using with their families immediately. 

Looking for Ways to Save?

Save $50 on any of the above course dates by using coupon code SPRING25
by April 25! If you’ve taken four or more courses with us, you’re eligible for $100 off your next course. Check your ERI dashboard and call our office for this loyalty discount. Additionally, you can save money by bundling courses or registering as a group. Check out all the different ways you can save!

NEW On-Demand with Bertie Gatlin “Intervention in the NICU”

Learn at Your Convenience with this NEW On-Demand

Roberta Gatlin has been a champion in the field of physical therapy, with multiple leadership positions and research publications complimenting her vast clinical and teaching expertise. This newest on-demand course, Intervention in the NICU: A Neurodevelopmental Approach, is recorded from her most recent live webinar and will engage the experienced NICU clinician, as well as those newer to this advanced practice setting and dedicated to gaining competence.

NICU therapist

 

“I have attended many NICU intervention courses; this was by far the best organized, comprehensive, and useful course I have attended. Roberta Gatlin is so knowledgeable in NICU and pediatric concepts. My peers and I took away many ideas and concepts we will integrate into our NICU. This is a great course for both beginning and seasoned therapists.”

Hands-on Demonstration of Positioning and Handling of NICU Patients

With hands-on demonstrations and instruction, this course will provide participants with evidence-based assessment and intervention skills for the NICU environment. Participants will practice infant handling techniques in this context of evidence-based practice, enhancing outcomes for the babies and families they work with.

Be sure to have a doll on hand for this interactive course as Bertie takes you through identifying common self-regulation signals and different state behaviors displayed by premature infants. She’ll also discuss typical motor and sensory development observed in premature infants; 23-24 weeks gestational age to one month old post conceptual age. 

Designed for therapists and developmental specialists working with the infant and family in the NICU, PICU, EI and home (up to their first year after discharge), this course is relevant not only to NICU therapists but those practicing outside the NICU, as well. Take the course at your own pace – pause, rewind and reflect on each section as she takes you through high-stake clinical situations and makes them well-rounded and approachable no matter your discipline or level of experience. 

Savings You Don’t Want to Miss

You’ll have access to this course for up to one year after date of purchase. Save $50 on this on-demand program by applying coupon code SPRING25 at checkout before April 25. And if April 25th has come and gone, consider bundling this course for additional discounts. 10% off two courses bundled and 15% off 3 or more courses bundled at checkout. Enroll today! Questions? Contact our office at info@educationresourcesinc.com or call 800-487-6530. 

April is OT Month!

 We Love This Time of Year!

April is OT Month and ERI is thrilled to celebrate this vital profession. We are honored to serve our community of Occupational Therapists who help both children and adults flourish in their overall well-being and independence through engaging them in meaningful activities. Thank you for all that you do!

Meet ERI’s OT Faculty!

We are so happy to highlight and share our amazing OT faculty with you! 

Anne Buckley-Reen, OTR, RYT has taught with ERI since 2005. She has been a practicing pediatric therapist for 30+ years and a pioneer in the use of yoga as a therapeutic modality for nearly 20 years. Her work with yoga has been researched, published and cited in numerous journal articles and is the foundation for a researched preparatory program widely used in NYC schools special needs classrooms.

Motor Issues in Autism is Anne’s popular ERI course and teaches therapists how to more effectively expand engagement in clients with ASD while answering questions about self-stimulatory behaviors, preservation, and reactive or self-directed behaviors.


Janine Wiskind, OTR/L, MS has been teaching as an ERI faculty member for the past 12 years. As a pediatric occupational therapist, beginning her career in brain injury, Janine cultivated her specific concentration in vision, which has, in turn, led her to specialize in primitive reflex integration. Working for inpatient rehab, outpatient, home health, the school system, and now within her own clinic has provided Janine with an extensive opportunity to work with a variety of pediatric populations and has led to her diverse array of expertise. 

Janine’s well-known course with ERI is Primitive Reflexes: Strategies to Promote Integration – Strengthening Foundational Skills and teaches therapists how to effectively evaluate primitive reflexes and utilize a functional and play-based approach to primitive reflex integration. Registration for this course is now open:


Holly Schifsky, OTR/L, CNT, NTMTC, CBIS has worked with ERI for over 8 years. She has been in pediatrics for the past 28 years with the past 17 years in a level IV NICU. She is a Certified Neonatal Therapist, Certified Neonatal Touch and Massage Therapist, Certified Brain Injury therapist, a member of National Association of Neonatal Therapists, and has completed 6-month mentorship in infant/child NDT.

Holly has worked within the NICU and NICU follow-up clinic to maximize patient and family outcomes for the most complex premature and medically-fragile term infant. Registration is open for Holly’s upcoming courses: 


Melissa Gerber, OTD, OTR/L has been with ERI for the past 8 years. Dr. Gerber is a seasoned and respected clinician with extensive experience in pediatrics. She began her career in Adult/Pediatric inpatient/outpatient rehabilitation and acute care. Currently, Dr. Gerber has been working for the Great Neck Public Schools for the past 23 years. She is president of 4MYKIDSOT, a private practice where she provides therapy and evaluations.

Dr. Gerber is enthusiastic to share her experiences and provide strategies that can be incorporated immediately. She is also affiliated with Puzzle Art Therapy, and enjoys sharing this program. Learn with Dr. Gerber at her scheduled courses this year: 


Dana Kizer, OTR/L, MS, BCP has a special interest in feeding and sensory processing. Dana has worked in a variety of pediatric settings including a pediatric hospital, specialty clinic, private practice, and home health. She has presented on feeding therapy and interventions nationally and across virtual platforms. Dana is a published author on the subject of pediatric feeding disorders and currently volunteers her time with Feeding Matters by serving on the Family Advisory Council to help families navigate the complex world of pediatric feeding disorders.

Dana brings a family perspective to her treatments and teaching experiences as her initial experience with feeding therapy occurred when she would accompany her younger brother to his feeding therapy appointments. She has seen first-hand the difference therapy can make in the lives of patients and their families. Learn with Dana as she co-hosts these upcoming courses:


Jocelynn B. Wallach, OTR/L, MS, has worked as a pediatric therapist in hospitals, clinics, schools and early intervention programs for more than 40 years. She has lectured nationwide and taught graduate courses on normal development, sensory processing disorder, self-regulation and executive functioning. For the past 25 years, she has worked in the Westwood Public Schools and maintained her private practice/owner of “Capable Hands and Associates.”

Join Jocelynn this summer to learn innovative methods to facilitate the development of self-regulation, attention, organization and memory, as well as environmental accommodations and modifications to improve the independence of students and patients:


Jeryl Benson, OTR/L, Ed.D, FAOTA, has over 30 years working in pediatrics with extensive experience in school-based practice and as an educational consultant for schools and families. She is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test, is a certified infant massage instructor and is trained in Neurodevelopmental Treatment for children with cerebral palsy. As a full Professor at Duquesne University, she teaches both undergraduate and graduate coursework in the areas of lifespan occupational performance, neurological and sensorimotor function, occupation-based theory, and advanced practice. Her research interests include school-based practice, sensory processing and occupation. Her goal is to make an impact by researching best practices in an educational setting ensuring that children have the tools to fully participate in their educational, social, and community environments. Dr. Benson is currently the Editor of AOTA Children & Youth SIS Quarterly Practice Connections. Learn with Dr. Benson at her scheduled ERI courses this year: 


Kristin Jones, OTR/L, MS, a Neurodivergent Occupational Therapist, has been practicing OT for over 23 years. She has worked in multiple pediatric settings including early intervention, outpatient clinic, respectful feeding, and school based. The past 14 years she has been at the Community School of Davidson where she has taken the lead in guiding the administration and staff to become a trauma informed and neurodiversity affirming organization. Kristin has a passion for the latest research in brain development and translating this information for teachers to apply in the classroom. Her favorite quote is “if they could, they would” and believes it is our responsibility as educators to figure out the “why” to provide the most effective strategies for student success and to ensure the student feels understood. Join Kristin this fall for her popular course: 

2nd Annual Birth to Three Conference in the Books!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow! Our 2nd Annual Birth to Three Conference wrapped up last week and it’s safe to say it was a tremendous success! With 410 enthusiastic participants in attendance, this conference aimed to bring together therapists from various fields focused on early childhood education and development in the birth to three setting. From “aha” moments to actionable tactics, these two days of learning provided our therapists with meaningful information, connections and resources they can take back to practice the very next day. The diversity and richness of the sessions kept attendees engaged and eager to learn more!

How to Connect During a Virtual Conference

Our conference may be virtual, but that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of social engagement and networking taking place! Our online platform, Whova, allows for our attendees and speakers to engage in constant communication before, during and after the event. Attendees can network with like-minded therapists, suggest meetups, share resources/information, engage with speakers, and even participate in our fun gamification to win some fantastic prizes. Whova was buzzing with excitement during these two days of learning and we absolutely love how involved these B-3 therapists were. Connections were being made all across the country and beyond – it was thrilling to watch and helped to foster a real sense of community. 

Partners and Sponsors 

A huge thank you to our Facility Partners who helped to collaborate and spread the word about this amazing conference. We so appreciate their partnership and commitment to advancing the learning of their birth to three therapists. 

Additionally, a big shout out to our Sponsors, who so generously donated their products as special prizes and giveaways throughout the conference. These companies create products that benefit the therapist community and can be utilized by OTs, PTs and SLPs alike. Our winners were thrilled with the giveaways and look forward to using them in practice. 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Thank you so much! I had a wonderful time at the conference and am honored to have won this prize! I work in a low income, urban setting, so I’m eager to be able to share these tools with my families who wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise!” – Kimberly A. winner of EaZyHold gift set.

“The conference was GREAT and made even better by the win of the Crawligator! This will be SO used at my facility and all of the Children’s Specialized Hospital staff in attendance were so excited that I won.” – Cheryl P. winner of a Crawligator.


Stellar Speaker Lineup

With 14 different topics presented that spanned across the birth to three field, therapists had a variety of content to choose from when selecting their sessions and earning CEUs. Our exceptional lineup of speakers delivered inspiring presentations full of practical knowledge and tools to bring back to their patients and families. Mary Massery, Liesa Ritchie-Persaud, Holly Schisfky and Michele Parkins were just some of the esteemed speakers whose presentation style and wealth of knowledge left attendees wanting to learn more.

Day 1 Overview:

Michele Parkins session on Connecting with Caregivers:
“This was fascinating. I have realized the parent piece for carryover is essential and I am always trying to connect with them with where I think they are at. I am going to post these descriptions on my bulletin board to reference as I go in and out of sessions to better relate and hopefully be more effective. Thank you.” – Susan G.

Holly Schifsky’s session on the Impact of Prematurity and Prolonged Hospitalization on Early Infant Development:
“This was a very informative session that helped provide a preface for the types of children who I typically see in an outpatient setting after NICU discharge. This is helpful in knowing why these kiddos present as they do and why they respond or don’t respond to certain treatment methods.” – Amanda G.

Liesa Ritchie-Persaud session on Toe Walking: 
“Such an engaging speaker and a fantastic presentation. So much actionable information I can apply to my current clients to improve their outcomes. Thank you!” – Samantha F. 

 

Rona Alexander’s session on Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing:
“The treatment pictures and videos were so powerful and demonstrated the importance of alignment, mobility and impact on function. It was so important for every discipline that you linked the fact that all systems impact on each other and that om function is linked to the rest of the body. Thank you!” – Melissa S.


Day 2 Overview: 

Mary Massery’s session on GERD: 
“Mary’s presentation was AMAZING. Being an SLP who works with reflux infants all the time, I truly learned so much and gained such a deeper understanding of the information you shared. Thank you SO much, Mary!!” – Anna P.

Lori Overland’s session on Tethered Oral Tissue (TOTS):
“This lecture was great with a lot of information. I will use my clinical oral observation with the babies who I work with and refer to get a supplemental evaluation. Thank you so much!” – Rosa P. 

Leslie Paparsenos and Bethanne Mazurczak’s sesion on Motor Learning and Plasticity for the Infant:
“Loved the case examples and treatment techniques. It was nice to see a presentation focus on the “meat and potatoes” and not just the background info. Lots of great treatment strategies, progression, and integrating into the early on setting.” – Jennifer S. 

Subah Gupta on her session CVI: The Who, What, Where and Why of Cerebral Visual Impairment
“Great pacing and explanation of slides with good use of images and videos to get the point across. I learned a great deal that I look forward to bringing back to my clinic! Thank you so much!” – Joanna K. 

Special Guest Lunch Speaker Dr. Becky Kennedy of Good Inside 

What a treat to listen to special guest speaker, Dr. Becky at Good Inside, discuss the parent/provider relationship and how we can try to best relate to our young patients and meet them where they are. Her Q&A touched on both a professional and personal level that was relatable in SO many areas. Our therapists thoroughly enjoyed spending their lunch session with her and hearing about tips and tools that they can not only bring back to practice, but use in every day life as well.

“You’re such a breath of fresh air! Thank you so much for being here. I was thrilled when you were added and it didn’t disappoint.” 

A Heartfelt Thank You!

The ERI Birth to Three Conference 2025 was undoubtedly a resounding success. With our enthusiastic therapists, an impressive lineup of speakers, engaging and diverse sessions, and a strong sense of networking and connection, we successfully created an enriching environment for all. The high levels of attendee satisfaction and engagement fostered a community of learning and collaboration that we hope to build upon in future events. We are already excited for what’s next. Stayed tuned for the 2026 dates…we’ll be reaching out soon!

 

SAVE $50 with ERI’s Spring Coupon!

Spring Savings from ERI!

Happy Spring! Enjoy a $50 SAVINGS off any ERI course (webinar, in-person or on-demand) now through April 25th!

Use coupon code SPRING25 at checkout. Offer valid on any course priced at $189 or above, cannot be combined with other offers or bundling promotions. 

Choose from our robust list of course topics, including: 

NICU
Birth to Three
Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing
Pediatric
School-Based Therapists
Neurology 
Acute Care/Critical Care
Vestibular

Interested in partnering with ERI? We have various partnership opportunities available to organizations looking to either host a CEU course for their staff, or provide customized in-house trainings to best meet your needs. Reach out to Marianne Boynton at mboynton@educationresourcesinc.com for more details on our partnerships.