8:30am Eastern / 5:30am Pacific, 2 hours

Instructor: Colleen Williams, PT

Description:

Scientific advancements in the knowledge of the many functions of the cerebellum has exploded over the last several years. This structure known as the "little brain" was once thought to control only motor functions. Researchers now know that the cerebellum is an important structure for a multitude of functions. These many functions include motor control, coordination, rhythmic movement, executive functionskills, attention, and modulation of sensory input. Cerebellar dysfunction has been found to be associated with ADHD, autism, Parkinson’s disease, and other disorders.Using this new research, therapists can facilitate activation of this very important brain structure through rhythm, balance,and coordination activities. As your understanding of the importance of this structure develops, you will be able to incorporate these activities into your treatment sessions.

Highlights:

• Recognize the influence of the cerebellum on balance, movement, coordination, executive function skills, learning and social skills

• Improve your understanding of the influence of the cerebellum in various disorders including ADHD, autism and Parkinson’s disease

• Develop effective treatment strategies to promote activity within the cerebellum

11:00am Eastern / 8:00am Pacific, 2 hours

Instructor: Robyn Otty, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, FAOTA

Description:

With the explosion of technology in the classroom, it waspredicted students participating in handwriting-based activities would become obsolete. However, handwriting continues to be essential to a child's ability to participate in their school/academic environment. More than half of the preschool Common Core standards address handwriting (Tortorelli et al. 2021). It is also concerning that even neuro- typical children have shown reduced motor proficiency (Benda et al. 2021). Based on the evidence, the influence ofenvironmental factors and societal differences in how children play can influence the development of the underlying components (cognitive, sensory, motor, visual-motor, and visual perceptual skills) needed to attain proficient handwriting. Clinicians who work with children in a variety of settings are equipped to support and facilitate handwriting development and confidence. This course will provide the latest evidence-based approaches and strategies to address handwriting. Additionally, it will provide hands-on strategies toevaluate and develop interventions that can have a profound functional impact within their practice setting.

The content of this program is germane to children, students and clients 5-11 years old.

Highlights:

• Impactful strategies to influence improved dexterity skills using approaches based on neuroplasticity

• Effective, evidence-based interventions to address handwriting confidence and performance

3pm Eastern / 12pm Pacific, 2 hours

Instructor: Michele Alaniz, OTD, BCP, OTR/L

Description:

Sensory integration sessions are, by nature, child-led. Child-led therapy can be challenging to navigate and measure, as it relies on the child's spontaneous exploration. To support clinicians in this approach, it is helpful to have a clear framework of the neurological processes involved in sensory integration. Once you understand the "why" of the neurology you will have a clear understanding of how to planyour sessions. This course provides a comprehensive overview of sensory processing theory and practice, with a focus on how it relates to common motor challenges such as trunk weakness, balance deficits, bilateral coordination deficits and dyspraxia. By applying sensory processing principles to these areas, therapists can enhance the child's engagement, motivation and progress. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists will all benefit from this course. Learning how to identify a child's unique sensory profile and in turn, plan sessions with "just right" challenges, will translate into improved outcomes.

Highlights:

• Review underlying neurology of sensory processing and how this relates to treatment planning

• Plan effective sensory Integration sessions whilemaintaining a child-led approach

• Take quality information into work the next day and provide better sessions for your kiddos!

9am Eastern / 6am Pacific, 7 hours 30 minutes

Instructor: Catherine Valentino, OTD, OTR/L, MS, MAAL, BS, FMT

Description:

According to the CDC, the incidence of stroke in the US rose between 2020 and 2021 (2023). Realizing occurrencerates are increasing and the severity of possible deficits following cerebrovascular accident (CVA) increasing theclinical skills of practitioners is vital to providing the best possible outcomes for our patients. This course aims toimprove a clinician's confidence throughout the entire stroke pathway from infarct to discharge.

This course will highlight the anatomy involved and how the location of the infarct can produce unique challenges for function in our clients. As deficits are defined, best practices for assessment and treatment options will be applied to set our clients up for the best possible position to achieve functional gains, restore confidence in their interactions with loved ones, safety with moving around their environments, and return to the activities they love.

Highlights:

• Personalized plan of care based upon the stroke location and involved anatomy impact clinical presentation

• Practice and compare tests and measures specific to stroke survivors

• Hands-on demonstrations that apply best- practice approaches in stroke rehabilitation interventions

• Utilize immersion experiences and simulations to improve clinical understanding of the patient experience

• Examine the complete path to recovery our patients take from infarct to discharge and what challenges they encounter throughout the rehab process and the cognitive and behavioral impacts of stroke

10:00am Eastern / 7:00am Pacific, 2 hours

Instructor: Paul Frizelle, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, MTC, CSCS, PES, CES

Description:

Individuals engaged in sports activities frequently attend rehabilitation due to knee injuries. The diversity of knee injuries means that the rehab professional must be well versed in a wide range of clinical presentations along with understanding the best approaches to rehabilitate thesepatients. This course will provide the practitioner with the most current evidence for commonly encountered sports knee injuries and how to manage them in rehab settings. The discussion will include both conservative and post-surgical management strategies along with a discussion on the optimal choice of treatment based on the specific injury.

Highlights:

• Enhance your knowledge on a diverse range of sports-related knee injuries and how to treat them in the clinical rehab setting

• Ulilize practical treatment strategies, includingtaping, neurorehabilitation, and therapeutic exercises tailored for knee injuries

6pm Eastern / 3pm Pacific, 2 hours

Instructor: Catherine Valentino, OTD, OTR/L, MS, MAAL, BS, FMT

Description:

An estimated 285 million people are currently suffering from low-vision and visual impairment impacting their daily tasks world-wide (Zetterlund, Lundqvist, & Richter, 2019). In the United States alone these deficits are costing over 16 billion in healthcare dollars which carries a significant burden for patients (Shah et al, 2018). As rehabilitation professionals we have the unique opportunity to identify ways to maximize a patients' function and reduce burden of care. This course will aim to better equip therapists in the understanding of low vision diagnoses and how to service this population in orderto maximize function safely.

This course will focus on the ability select appropriate functional evaluations for their discipline in order to modify and establish treatment plans for the low vision patient. Immediate-use resources will be identified for therapists toimplement next-day in clinic for treatment effectiveness. Participants to this course will be able to identify the common low vision diagnoses impacting patient function. Participants will leave understanding the link between balance and visionwill be defined with patient risk factors discussed fortherapists to better identify "at-risk" clientele and grow their practice.

Highlights:

• Immediately identify treatment resources and strategies to maximize your patient's function and safety

• Standardized tests which produce data on vision and functional performance skills including balance and ADLs

9am Eastern / 6am Pacific, 3 hours 15 minutes

Instructor: Catherine Valentino, OTD, OTR/L, MS, MAAL, BS, FMT

Description:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2020), Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are the number two cause of death in high-income countries and close to 10 million new cases are diagnosed annually worldwide. This has several implications for rehabilitation clinicians with one of the most significant being the likelihood of dementia as a comorbidity in geriatric clients. Having a thorough understanding of the functional mobility, communication, and cognitive factors that will impact clinical approaches to care will be vital for practitioners as they develop client-centered care plans for patients who areexperiencing dementia symptoms.

This course aims to broaden the clinician's knowledge base of the various types of dementia, their unique characteristics, and examine current best-practiceapproaches for assessments tailored to patients with a diagnosis of dementia. Using case study examples, in-depth differentiation of dementia types, and a hands-on lab for assessment application, clinicians will be able to walk awayfrom this course with improved next-day confidence to meet these unique clients' needs.

Highlights:

• Develop confidence in working with dementia patients through an in-depth focus on the four main dementia diagnoses

• Practice and examine dementia-specific clinical testing measures you can apply in your clinic next day

• Differentiate the needs of various types of dementia to improve your skills in creating client-centered plans of care

11:00am Eastern / 8:00am Pacific, 2 hours

Instructor: Michelle Millner, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT

Description:

One third of people over the age of 65 fall every year. Loss of core and extremity strength may be contributing factors to postural changes, decreased function and fall risk in older adults. This course provides clinicians with simple and effective tests and measures to assess patients quickly in most clinical environments. By utilizing these strategies, therapists will be able to establish baseline measures of function and track progress through a plan of care. Additionally, clinicians will be able to use these measures as a foundation for building focused exercise programs.

Highlights:

• Examine the link between anatomy and function as it relates to core strength and posture

• Utilize practical assessments for breathing, posture, and core strength in older adults effectively and objectively

• Strategies for assessment that can be applied to functional movements including transfers, walking, activities of daily living performance and recreational activities

1:30pm Eastern / 10:30am Pacific, 3 hours 15 minutes

Instructor: Catherine Valentino, OTD, OTR/L, MS, MAAL, BS, FMT

Description:

According to the National Safety Council, 30% of all workinjuries are injuries to the upper extremity. While occupational injuries may trigger the need for hand therapy interventions, overuse, tissue degradation, and other trauma may all cause patients to seek services. Injuries to the hand and hand dysfunction impact how our patients interact with their environment, loved ones, and activities.

This course will build the foundational knowledge of the structures of the arm, wrist, and hand while defining functions and motions needed for everyday tasks including work, self- care, and leisure demands. Through hands-on lab, assessment examination, and discussion attendees will be able to gain skills in differential diagnosis as well as functional assessment skills.

Highlights:

• Improve your confidence with the functional anatomy ofthe elbow, wrist, and hand

• Practice multiple hand-specific tests and measures to improve client assessment for a functional plan of care development

• Hands-on labs for palpation of landmarks and application of differential diagnosis techniques