Neural Mobilization: Examination & Intervention Strategies

Spring 2012 Electives Occupational Therapy Department
26 Winthrop Street Medford Campus

OTS 230 Running Effective Groups:  An Interdisciplinary Experience
This Graduate School of Arts and Sciences interdisciplinary course explores the structure, dynamics, communication, and action patterns of small groups.  Classes and readings will focus on theories of small group functioning and elements of group process that lead to effective group formation, development, and closure.  Group experiences in class will assist in integrating theoretical learning, building upon skills in group observation, leadership, and individual membership.  Understanding personal dynamics with organizational culture in relation to group development in small and large group systems will also be addressed.  The class will be part of its own laboratory in small group dynamics. Maximum enrollment 12.  Cross-listed with School Psychology and Urban Environmental Planning Departments. Dr. Sharan L. Schwartzberg, Mondays 4:00-7:00 PM beginning Mon January 23.

OTS 275-01 Topics in Hand and Upper Extremity Rehabilitation II
This graduate level course is team taught by Tufts faculty and specialists from Massachusetts General Hospital's Hand and Upper Extremity Service. Topics covered include tendon anatomy, injury, intervention protocols and splinting; as well as peripheral nerve injury, sensibility, wound healing and physical agent modalities. This course is part of a four course Certificate in Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy. Students may begin in the spring or the fall. Students are not required to participate in all four courses if not electing to pursue the Certificate.  Dr. Janet Brooks, Mondays 5:30-8:30 PM beginning Mon January 23.

OTS 294-06 INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINAR IN AGING

Health management for older adults is a major issue in contemporary society.  Policy, economics, organizational structure, and clinical care are intermingled in responding on societal, institutional, and clinical levels.  This course will challenge the inquisitive and creative student to approach the health of the older adult by addressing these complex issues.  It will focus on effective outcomes and understanding the range of roles professionals may adopt.  It will provide the knowledge base and skill set necessary for interdisciplinary professional practice. This course is taught at Harvard Medical School (graduate students only) and involves students from a variety of different local university programs.  If interested, contact Dr. Tracy Chippendale at tracy.chippendale@tufts.edu.   The course will be held on Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:00 PM beginning in late January (date to be determined).

Registration:  Graduate Career Advancement Program at gradstudy.tufts.edu or 617-627-3395.  Please contact the instructors for course questions at
617-627-5720 or via email.

NOW IN BOSTON!  LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!

The Spiral Foundation Presents:

Intervention for Children with
Autism Spectrum Disorder: An SI Treatment Mentoring Intensive

Presented by Teresa May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L, Jane Koomar, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Sarah Sawyer, MA, OTR/L and OTA staff therapists

January 15-19, 2012, Newton MA
 
This unique five-day mentorship intensive is limited to eight therapists who wish to develop further expertise in sensory integrative observational assessment and intervention. The course focuses on hands-on experience using specialized therapy equipment.  Therapists work in pairs, treating the same children three times throughout the week.  After each session, ample time is given for in-depth discussion, analysis of interventions, and feedback from our experienced clinicians.

Daily lecture/discussion sessions and videotape presentations encompass your individual requests as well as include topics such as developing the therapeutic relationship, facilitation of adaptive responses, clinical assessment of sensory modulation and discrimination, dyspraxia, development of a fidelity measure, use of goal attainment scaling for SI research, and SI for specific populations.

Suggested Audience: OTRs and RPTs who have taken a Sensory Integration Theory Course (e.g., WPS Course 1) and a Sensory Integration Intervention Course (e.g., WPS Course 4). Those without these prerequisites but with sufficient practical experience may also be considered. For theory background we also suggest reading Sensory Integration Theory and Practice and Understanding The Nature of SI with Diverse Populations.


Tuition:  $1,500
 
AOTA Approved Providers for 3 CEUs, 30 contact hours

 
Application:

*** Please send us a copy of your resume. The registration form and resume must be submitted and reviewed before registration is finalized.  The registration review process will occur on a first-come basis.  You will be notified of course status as soon as possible.  If you are accepted you will need to submit proof of liability insurance.

Visit

To register, visit the Spiral Foundation website at www.thespiralfoundation.org. For more information, contact Maribeth Conway at 617-923-4410 ext 231 or email at courses@thespiralfoundation.org.

 

 

NOW IN BOSTON! LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE!

The Spiral Foundation Presents:

Two Training Programs:

Fidelity to Ayres' Sensory Integration Intervention

with Teresa A. May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L and Jane Koomar, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

And

Goal Attainment Scaling as a Meaningful Outcome Measure for Sensory Integration

with Teresa A. May-Benson, ScD, OTR/L

February 9-11, 2012 in Newton, MA

Fidelity to Ayres Sensory Integration Intervention

Outcomes research on a specific type of intervention must define the intervention including theory, principles and methods and then ensure that the intervention provided during the study is faithful to the descriptions.  The Fidelity Measure of Ayres Sensory Integration (ASI) intervention is a reliable and valid tool that summarizes the essential structural and process elements of therapeutic practice using sensory integration theory and methods.  During this workshop, participants will learn the essential elements of ASI Intervention as delineated in the ASI Fidelity Measure and learn to use this tool to improve research and practice.  
 
AOTA Approved Providers for .9 CEUs, 9 contact hours
 
Tuition: $275 early bird rate offered until 1-9-12 or $325 after 1-9-12 (price includes $50 fee for fidelity scoring and certificate of fidelity reliability, handouts, lab materials and a.m. and p.m. refreshments)
 

Goal Attainment Scaling as a Meaningful Outcome Measure for Sensory Integration
 
This course presents an in-depth look at Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) methodology and its application as a functional outcome measure for occupational therapy using a sensory integration approach. This training program will present theoretical and practical information needed to prepare therapists for the use of the GAS methodology in both clinical and research applications.
 
AOTA Approved Providers for .6 CEUs, 6.5 contact hours
 
Tuition: $200 early bird rate offered until 1-9-12 or $250 after 1-9-12 (price includes handouts and a.m. and p.m. refreshments)
 

Tuition for both courses: $450 early bird rate offered until

1-9-12 or $550 after 1-9-12

Suggested Audience: OTs, OTAs and PTs, Intermediate to Advanced Levels

Register by visiting The Spiral Foundation website at www.thespiralfoundation.org. For more information, email courses@thespiralfoundation.org or

contact Maribeth Conway at 617-923-4410 ext 231.

Subject Heading:         Dementia Capable Care:
         One-Day Foundation Course
         Two-Day Foundation and Dementia Therapy Applications Course
 

Ad Message:                  March 30- 31, 2012
Hilton Garden Inn Worcester
35 Major Taylor Blvd.
Worcester, MA 01608
 

Presented by:   Dementia Care Specialists, a CPI specialized offering
 

This course is designed for occupational therapists and assistants, physical therapists and assistants, and speech language pathologists who work with the geriatric dementia patient. We present a paradigm shift in which therapists and others move from an impairment-based practice to an abilities-based practice to facilitate the improvement in function, safety, and quality of life needed for maximum reimbursement.
 

Participants learn how to evaluate and treat cognitive dysfunction using the Allen Cognitive Disabilities Model, the Theory of Retrogenesis, and Kitwood's Person-Centered Care to adjust all aspects of the clinical path, treatment plan, and documentation based on the patient's cognitive stage. Day One establishes a framework for promoting best abilities. Day Two focuses on application of new skills. 
 

Course Fee:                    One-Day Foundation Course - $149
Two-Day Foundation and Dementia Therapy Applications Course - $448
Group discounts available
 

Contact Hours: Up to 14
Continuing Education: AOTA Approved
 

For more information or to register, visit crisisprevention.com/dcs or call 877.816.4524.
 

BIA-MA Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts

2012 Annual Conference

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Best Western Royal Plaza - 181 Boston Post Road West

Marlborough, MA  01752

The 2012 BIA-MA Annual Conference will feature workshops for professionals, family members, caregivers, survivors, and others on the latest treatments and trends in brain injury rehabilitation.

Topics Includ:

• Assistive Technology including the use of iPhones and iPads during therapy
• Neuroplasticity, Neuromodulation and Cognitive Rehabilitation
• Seizures adn Epilepsy Associated with Brain Injury
• Vestibular Rehabilitation

CEU's will be offered in more than a dozen fields.

Exhibitor and Poster Presentation Opportunities are Available.  Sign-up today!

Don't miss the chance to reach over 600 individuals in the brain injury field.

For more information, visit www.biama.org or call (508) 475-0032

Looking for Reliable, Relevant Continuing Education?

If you're looking for reliable, relevant continuing education, you can get help from AOTA's Approved Provider Program (APP).

Organizations in the APP must meet standards and complete AOTA's rigorous application review process in order to become approved. The APP is intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of continuing education. The program is designed to give you confidence in the providers you choose.

Texas is one of 25 state licensure boards that have adopted AOTA's APP, either by regulation or by letter of support. Jean E. Polichino, MS, OTR, presiding officer of the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, recently explained, "Texas wants licensees to feel confident about courses they can take. The burden for meeting the APP standards is on the continuing education provider. Practitioners want to know that the CE provider offers a product that will benefit them."

The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) recognizes continuing education from AOTA's Approved Providers toward NBCOT's Professional Development Units (PDUs). When asked about the Approved Provider Program, Nancy Richman, OTR/L, FAOTA, chairperson of the Illinois Occupational Therapy Licensure Board, said, "We wanted to give OTs and OTAs an opportunity to meet licensure CE requirements in the most convenient way possible and to meet NBCOT's PDU requirements. We were confident that the AOTA program would help practitioners identify the CE quality that the Illinois Occupational Therapy Licensure Board was committed to providing."
 

So how does an occupational therapy practitioner find out about continuing education offered by AOTA's Approved Providers?

Look for the AOTA APP logo on materials you receive from CE providers, and check online at AOTA's CE WebFind, a searchable database at http://www.aota.org/nonmembers/area3