Torticollis – Course Spotlight – Discount to attend

 

COURSE SPOTLIGHT

We are thrilled to offer you a discount to attend: 

Torticollis - Education Resources inc.Torticollis and Plagiocephaly:
Assessment and Treatment of Infants and Children

Pediatric Clinical Specialist:
Cindy Miles, PT, PhD, PCS, CNDT 

July 18-19, 2015 – Las Vegas, NV
August 21-22, 2015 – Wichita, KS
September 12-13, 2015 – Chicago, IL
October 16-17, 2015 – Portland, OR

 

$50 Discount
Use Code: Torticollis2015 by August 7th 2015

Discount is this course only, and is a one time offer only
Discounts apply to live open enrollment courses only, and are not applicable for online courses. Not to be used in combination with other discounts or course credits.
Non-Transferable. Must be applied at time of registration, not to be used for previous registrations. 

This dynamic evolving course will concentrate on progressive, effective treatment schemes for infants and young children with a diagnosis of torticollis with or without plagiocephaly, including challenging cases. Participants will analyze the implications of torticollis, sleep posture and increased use of positional devices on infant postural and motor development. Red flags for related early infancy and preschool diagnoses will be discussed. Clinical pathways for management of torticollis and infant head shape will be reviewed. Functional, clinically oriented evaluation and evidence based treatment strategies for infants and young children that can be integrated into routines and play will be provided. Diagnostic procedures and surgical intervention will be appraised. Current Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines from APTA – Section on Pediatrics will be discussed and incorporated Emphasis on home exercise programs and effective strategies to team with parents will be explored. Learning opportunities for therapists and medical professionals involved in pediatrics will transpire through lecture, case reports, group problem solving and video review.

“Cindy did an excellent job of presenting the material on both torticollis and plagiocephaly. I gained new strategies to try with clients on my caseload as well as evidence based research to use to advocate for treatment for both conditions.” Sara Feltovitch, DPT

“This was an excellent course! Cindy is a very dynamic, clear, and engaging speaker. As a new therapist, this class provided wonderful, specific interventions and treatments and provided a more complete picture of Torticollis’ effects on the whole person.” -Jennifer Renell, OT

“Cindy Miles was a very informative and knowledgeable presenter. She kept everyone engaged with personal case studies and treatment ideas. I will definitely be using her strategies with my patients!” -Jeanette Palacios, OT

Please click here for course details, faculty description,
to download a brochure or to register

(508) 359-6533 ● (800) 487-6530 info@educationresourcesinc.com
with any questions

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The Power of Music in Teaching Handwriting

This is the third in a series of blogs from Michele Parkins and Carrie Davis.
The first post can be found here 

The second post can be found here

You know that feeling when you turn on the radio in your car after a long day and you perk up as your body starts to move to the rhythm of the music?  Wouldn’t it be great if we could make our clients feel that way while using evidence-based practice?  Well we can!

Research shows that the auditory and motor systems have a rich connectivity across a variety of cortical, subcortical, and spinal levels.  Music leads to movement in an organized way and significant improvement in upper extremity function.   We have a predisposition to rhythmic movement to music over speech.  How can we use this evidence (references in link below) to facilitate progress for our clients?

  • Use up-beat music during gross motor activities to increase pace
  • Play slow rhythmic music when a child is writing cursive letters
  • Play slow music with a distinct base line or drum beat when a child is writing straight letters
  • Sing songs that enhance body awareness – head, shoulders, knees and toes; where is thumbkin; hokey pokey, etc.
  • Use music that talks about spatial concepts – top, bottom, left, right, under, over

For more references: http://www.connectexperiencewrite.com/references-research.html

Michele Parkins MS, OTR & Carrie Davis MS, OTR

Co-founders of Connect Experience Write, a developmental handwriting program using music and movement to teach pre-writing skills and letter formation

www.connectexperiencewrite.com

We are excited to introduce Michele Parkins and Carrie Davis, two new members of our faculty who will be presenting at our Annual Therapies in The School Conference in November: “Using Sensory Motor Integration and Visual Spatial Strategies to Facilitate Success in Handwriting”. 

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Need New Evidence-Based Ideas for Handwriting Instruction?

This is the second in a series of blogs from Michele Parkins and Carrie Davis.
The first post can be found here

Guided practice has been identified as one of the eight most effective, research-based instructional handwriting practices.   http://ldatschool.ca/literacy/literacy-skills-handwriting/  This practice also enhances working memory – which has been found to be equally if not more important to success in handwriting.  *see references link below.

Here are some fun ways to incorporate this into your practice:

  • Use visual landmarks to identify the important spatial concepts for the letter i.e. top, bottom, over, under
  • Use whole body movements to form the letters of the alphabet. Stand in front of the child and model the movements reaching all the way to the ceiling and down to the floor, all the way to the left and right.  This will further facilitate motor learning through observation.
  • Encourage the child to practice forming letters with movements of one part of their body – arms, fingers, legs, feet.
  • Tape letters on the floor and have the child move along the letters – jumping, side stepping, crawling, rolling, etc.

Medwell, J. & Wray, D. (2007). Handwriting: what do we know and what do we need to know? Literacy, 41(1), 10-15.

Berninger, V. W. and Graham, S. (1998) Language by hand: a synthesis of a decade of research on handwriting. Handwriting Review, 12, pp. 11–25.

Berninger, V. W. (1994) Reading and Writing Acquisition: A Developmental Neuropsychological Perspective. Dubuque, IA: Brown and Benchmark.

Christensen, C. A. and Jones, D. (2000) Handwriting: an underestimated skill in the development of written language. Handwriting Today, 2, pp. 56–69.

Graham, S., Berninger, V., Abbott, R., Abbott, S. and Whitaker, D. (1997) The role of mechanics in composing of elementary school students: a new methodological approach. Journal of Educational Psychology, 89.1, pp. 170–182.

For more references: http://www.connectexperiencewrite.com/references-research.html

Michele Parkins MS, OTR & Carrie Davis MS, OTR
Co-founders of Connect Experience Write, a developmental handwriting program using music and movement to teach pre-writing skills and letter formation
connectexperiencewrite.com

We are excited to introduce Michele Parkins and Carrie Davis, two new members of our faculty who will be presenting at our Annual Therapies in The School Conference in November: “Using Sensory Motor Integration and Visual Spatial Strategies to Facilitate Success in Handwriting”.

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Challenging Vestibular Case: Therapists Please Offer Your Help

 DEAR ERI COMMUNITY:

Post from:
Bernadette 
Corporate Rehabilitation Physical Therapy supervisor

I’ve had 2 recent patients with right posterior canalithiasis where there is a short latency, F/B approx 15-20sec right upward torsional nystagmus and c/o vertigo

The CRM maneuver was done with both patients w/o incident.  Though, it’s come back with both of them.  I’ve done the maneuver about 3x each, but it’s not resolved

The one patient is 80 y/o and the onset idiopathic and the second patient is 34 y/o and post concussion(also w/HA’s, but the migraine food diary did not show a + trigger pattern)

Do you have any recommendations for further tx?

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NEW NICU Course for PT's OT's and SLP's

We are thrilled to add this new course for 2015:

NICU: Challenges, Pitfalls and Practical Tips for Successful Developmental Intervention

This beginner- intermediate course will focus on creating change in the NICU in developmental care for the bedside clinician. Content will focus on learning about neuroprotection for infants and how to provide care to assist with best possible development for the infant. Emphasis will be on practical strategies to implement change. Areas of change will incorporate the healing environment, positioning, incorporating families, and feeding. There will be an opportunity for groups to develop their own process change. 

[caption id="attachment_2625" align="alignleft" width="125"]Lisa Kleinz - SLP Lisa Kleinz[/caption]

Taught by a new member of our faculty: Lisa Kleinz, , MA, SLP/L  a Speech Pathologist who has worked in level 3 NICUs for over 20 years. She has also served as a Developmental Care Specialist, working with staff and families to create change in the NICU. She has certifications in Newborn Individualized Developmental Care Assessment Program (NIDCAP), Developmental Care Designation (NANN), Infant Massage Instructor, and Lactation Specialist. She is an active member of National Association of Neonatal Therapists, in addition to being a committee Board member.

In 2015:
September 12-13, 2015 – San Antonio, TX
October 2-3, 2015 – Olathe, KS

With further dates being scheduled for 2016.

 

Please click here for further information, to download a brochure or to register

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