Live Webinar for Therapists. Complete both sessions for 13 Contact Hours (1.3 CEUs)
April 10 and 11, 2025
9:10 am EST • 8:10 am CST • 7:10 am MST• 6:10 am PST (US)
EARLY BIRD RATE!
Register by February 27, 2025 to receive $20 off your registration. Enter coupon code EARLYBIRD20 at checkout to receive the discount. Must be used at time of registration.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course delivers clinically relevant assessment and intervention strategies for infants and children with neuromuscular impairments and challenges to their oral, pharyngeal, feeding/swallowing and respiratory function. Special emphasis is on postural alignment and control as well as on sensory factors that can influence a child’s feeding and swallowing. Effective intervention strategies to improve cheeks/lips, tongue, jaw, pharyngeal and rib cage/diaphragm function will be highlighted. Participants will engage in extensive clinical problem-solving via group case analysis and patient demonstration sessions.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Clinically assess oral pharyngeal, feeding/swallowing and respiratory coordination function in infants and young children
- Detail the essential components of comprehensive intervention programming for young children with neuromuscular involvement
- Implement effective body alignment/positioning for the modification of
oral, pharyngeal, and respiratory function in intervention programming
- Perform treatment strategies to improve the function of the cheeks/lips,
tongue, and jaw in children with neuromuscular involvement
AUDIENCE:
Professionals who have a foundation of knowledge in the components of typical and atypical oral, pharyngeal, feeding/swallowing, respiratory, and general movement development. Participants should have practical experience in providing assessment and intervention services for infants and children with neuromuscular involvement who exhibit problems in oral motor, oral sensory, pharyngeal, feeding, swallowing, phonatory, and respiratory coordination function.
Rona Is Speaking at our Birth to Three Conference!
If you work with the birth to three population, or are interested in transitioning to the birth to three setting, check out our upcoming virtual conference on March 20 and 21, 2025. Rona Alexander will be presenting on the topic of Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing: Treatment Strategies Focusing on Postural Alignment, Respiratory Coordination and Oral and Pharyngeal Function. With over 500 OTs, PTs and SLPs in attendance last year, we’re looking forward to another exceptional event and hope you can join!
Rona Alexander, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, C/NDT is a speech-language pathologist specializing in the assessment and treatment of oral, pharyngeal, feeding/swallowing, and respiratory coordination function in infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with primary neuromotor, musculoskeletal, and sensory systems impairments. She maintains a private practice; provides consultation services; provides short-term treatment intensives; and conducts workshops/courses/seminars/webinars on oral movement, oral sensory, pharyngeal, feeding/swallowing, and thoracic cage/respiratory coordination development, assessment, and treatment.
Dr. Alexander is an active advanced speech instructor in Neuro-Developmental Treatment (NDT). She has contributed chapters on oral, pharyngeal, feeding/swallowing, and rib cage/respiratory coordination function to numerous publications; is co-author of the book entitled, Normal Development of Functional Motor Skills: The First Year of Life; is author of the CEU product, Focus on the Rib Cage for Improvement of Respiration, Phonation, Movement, and Postural Control; and is co-developer of the CEU product, The ABCs of Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing.
DISCLOSURES:
Rona Alexander receives an honorarium from Education Resources, Inc., as well as royalty payments from Clinician's View and a co-author of the book published by The Hammill Institute on Disabilities. Non-Financial: She is a member of the NDTA and the NDTA Instructor Group.
Rona's class provides a systematic and wholistic view in assessing and treating feeding/swallowing. The class is great for different levels of feeding therapists. -Iwei C., OTR
I learned great techniques to prepare the oral mechanism including how to properly complete facial massage and oral exercises to elongate the cheek and lip musculature and provide sensory input. -Lesley L., OTR
Ms. Alexander's explanation of the GI medications and there impact on feeding was excellent. She explained the considerations of the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems impact on feeding in an impactful way. -Rhonda M., OTR
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