| Description |
Early intervention and pediatric treatment are changing. There are not enough resources to serve the numerous children with feeding, speech/communication, and mouth function problems (e.g., those with prematurity, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, other congenital disorders, etc.). Occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, early intervention specialists, dieticians, pediatricians, nurses, and others need detailed information to make appropriate referrals, choose appropriate treatment techniques, divide team responsibilities, and train parents/care providers. Techniques (learned in this course) are functional practices interventionists can safely teach parents/care providers. Participation experiences and DVD demonstrations encourage clinical problem solving throughout the course.
Objective
Upon full-course completion, participants will:
1. Identify oral sensory-motor problems that impact feeding, speech, and mouth function in children with prematurity, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disorders.
2. Identify typical and atypical anatomy/physiology and feeding/speech/mouth function.
3. Identify appropriate treatments for feeding/speech/mouth function problems.
4. Practice general oral massage for appropriate populations (e.g., children with oral defensiveness, oral awareness problems, tonic bite, hyperresponsive gag, etc.).
5. Practice feeding techniques that can be safely taught to parents and care providers.
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