Funding for iPad?

Hi again!

I have been asked to write a letter of support for a young boy to receive funding for his iPad.  The teacher and SLP have already spoken to the therapeutic, functional and school-based relevance of this tool for the child.  I just wondered if anyone has ever tried to get funding for an iPad and if so - any tips?  Also, does anyone have any current evidence or literature that may be referenced in discussing the therapeutic benefit of an iPad?

Any help is much appreciated!

Nicole Ebbesen Rowan
n.ebbesen.rowan@blackgold.ca

School Based Practice Guidelines

Hi everyone!

I was reviewing my old "burgundy binder" documents that included not only our Standards of Practice but also Guidelines for School Based Practice.  I do not see this document on ACOT's website, nor have I found where (if anywhere) that information has been amalgamated into our Code of Ethics or Standards...  I did email the ACOT Registrar but she could not provide clarification about where this document/information went, or whether it is still relevant.  Does anyone have information about this?

Thank you,
Nicole Ebbesen Rowan

Private OT needed in Medicine Hat

I have been asked by a Calgary based Developmental Pediatrician to find an occupational therapist who has experience and does treatment with children who have sensory processing and motor planning challenges (SPD) in the Medicine Hat region. If this is you or you know of an OT that does assessment and treatment of SPD kids, please email me at crbotecs@hotmail.com .

I look forward to connecting with you.

Colleen Basaraba

Utilizing a Sensory Integration Theoretical Framework in the Home, School and Preschool

Please see the attached workshop flyer and accommodation information and share with your networks. Book early. Accommodation and registration is limited.

Hope to see you April 27-28 for "Utilizing a Sensory Integration Theoretical Framework in the Home, School and Preschool" from a Canadian perspective with Ellen Yack, Toronto ON, at Manteo Waterfront Resort, Kelowna, BC!

See www.therapybc.ca/eventdocs/kelownaSIworkshop2012.pdf for workshop brochure or contact kidscan@telus.net for further information. You can also view the workshop brochure on google docs here.

ADDED BONUS: Evening Reception, Fri. April 27 - COTBC will provide an update and presentation on the OT Role in Diagnosing SPD and DCD from a regulatory perspective.

Private OT with Feeding Experience Needed

Private OT with feeding experience needed for a 2 and a half year old boy living in Cranston. Significant limitations in food intake, essentially only drinks pediasure and is not successful in swallowing solid foods. Child experiences gagging, vomitting and suffered from reflux as an infant. He has been followed by the Feeding Team at the ACH; however, his mother is interested in pursuing in home treatment. Please contact Debbie Caffrey (Psychologist) at 403-955-1292 or debbie.caffrey@albertahealthservices.ca for more information. The family is looking to start services as soon as possible.

CORTICAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT (CVI) WORKSHOP

If you have several children with vision impairment on your case load, you may be interested.

Dr. Christine Roman-Lansky is reported to be very good and that is why we are hosting this workshop in Toronto on March 7-8, 2012.

There is also a book she has written available through Amazon

Information found here.

Calgary OT Interest Group Meeting Feb 27, 2012

Calgary OT Paediatric Interest Group

We meet the last Monday of the month in October, November, February, March and April at 7:30. The location varies around the city.

This is very casual where everyone can share information, new toys or books, discuss case studies or any other burning questions people may have. We also try to have someone/a group of people share information on a specific topic, such as a course they have been to or an interesting book they have read.

We are always looking for someone to share information. If you would be willing to do so, please contact Carol Vickery at kids4ot@gmail.com

Our next meetings are:

Monday Feb. 27, 2012
Location: IDEAS Therapy Office
Suite 405 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure Dr. S.E.
Topic: Cathy Schneider OT, has been doing Neuro-feedback training using the NeurOptimal system by Zengar. She has been using the system with good success with many clients with ASD and clients with ADD/ADHD. Cathy will discuss what this is and how she is seeing it work

Monday March 19 or 26 – I realized March 26 is Spring break. If you normally come and would prefer not to have on spring break for the CBE. Please let me know and we will see what the majority is.
Location: TBA
Topic: Brenda Wilson will be facilitating a discussion on the “Best Practice Guidelines on Sensory Processing” developed by Australian OT’s.

Monday April 30
Location: TBA
Topic: Dr. Charles Boulet works out of Black Diamond area and is a 'developmental optometrist', but has a particular take on it given that his background is initially in neuropsych and education. He does full visual rehabilitation, but he also includes many other elements necessary for building success in schools, elements such as self-awareness and self-control, mental focus, varied gross and fine motor skill activities, as well as numerous cognitive skills. Charles finds OTs much more realistic about the impact of visual dysfunction vis-a-vis reading and he would like to engage in related conversations. He will be bringing some activities and resources to share. You can check out more information at www.LearningManagement.ca or http://archieslaw.com/

Greenspan Floortime Online Course for Professionals or Parents

Floortime Online Video Course

The professional course examines the DIR Model, which explains a child’s developmental stages and individual differences in a child’s sensory processing and family dynamics, and the role emotion plays in a child’s development. It also presents an in-depth presentation on the Greenspan Floortime Approach™, including developmentally appropriate interactions, interventions, and practices geared to each child’s developmental profile. This includes various interventions for special challenges, including aggression, avoidant behavior, sleep problems, compulsive rituals and more.

Upon completion of the course, there is an optional free mastery test and documentation of mastery.

The Floortime course is offered 24/7 until Sunday, May 13 2012. Log-in as often as you like during that time.

Community Workshop on ABA on March 3

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) & Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT)

Saturday, March 3rd , 2012 from 9 am - 4pm

This introductory community workshop on Applied Behaviour Analysis and Discrete Trial Teaching are an essential foundation for ABA programs and will provide excellent information and strategies for parents of children with autism as well as those working in this field. We encourage you to pass along this information to anyone who may be interested in learning more about ABA or effective treatment of autism.

Information found here.

Astronaut Training Workshop in Toronto

We are excited to confirm that Sheila Frick and Mary Kawar will be presenting the Astronaut Training workshop in Toronto on October 4 and 5, 2012. The techniques that will be reviewed in this workshop will meet the needs of Canadian paediatric occupational therapists as they are easily implemented in clinic, home and school settings. We will be forwarding brochure and registration forms shortly. We hope that you can join us for this very exciting workshop!

Regards,

Ellen Yack and Associates

www.ellenyack.com

OT in Saskatoon?

Does anyone know of any O.T’s in Saskatoon who work with children with sensory/oral feeding issues? This could be either private or through the hospital or other programs. You can let me know by commenting on this post or through email bhmck@shaw.ca

Heather

Pediatric CIMT Course in Ontario

Pediatric Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) being hosted by the OT department at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario on May 11-12, 2012

Brochure found here.

Dynamic Core for Kids Course

Hello all,

Well, registration has finally gone out for the Dynamic Core for Kids course. Things did not quite turn out as I had originally envisioned, and I sincerely regret that there will be many of you who will not be able to attend the course. Below is a letter drafted by Conny Betuzzi, Manager Patient Care at Alberta Children's Hospital which I was asked to send out explaining registration restrictions.

Thank you for your interest in attending the "Dynamic Core For Kids"
workshop that we will be hosting in Calgary in April 20-22, 2012. At this time there has
been a committment from Alberta Health Services to financially support
hosting this workshop through various internal budgets within the Calgary
Zone Rehabiltiation programs. This will provide a significant reduction in
cost for staff to attend. As a result this course will first be made
available to Alberta Health Service (AHS) employees throughout ACH,
Community and Rural areas. Should we be unable to fill the maximum number of
spots with therapists who are AHS employees then we will look to offering
this workshop out to our community partners who are not internal to AHS. If
you have further questions please contact Conny Betuzzi, Manager Patient
Care, at the Alberta Children's Hospital @ 955-7009.

Thank you
Conny

Just to make things more clear, only AHS staff within Calgary Zone and Calgary Rural will be given first dibs on participation in the course, then, if it's not full, others will be given the option of attending. I will send out registration forms to you if there are spots available. I sincerely hope that anyone who really wishes to attend will be able to. If there are any of you who are within Calgary Zone or Calgary Rural and have not received a registration form, please email me asap.

Regards,

Carolyn Fuss, MScPT

Carolyn.Fuss@albertahealthservices.ca

Rhythmic Movement Training Course in Toronto

Rhythmic Movement Training Course is being offered in Toronto this spring 2012.

As an adjunct to clinic therapy, Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT) can increase your effectiveness with families. This approach includes specific rhythmic movements which support your treatment to establish new connections in the brain, help the brain and nervous system mature and integrate primitive infant reflexes.

RMT assists with improvements in:

 self regulation

 anxiety/panic/emotional problems

 hypersensitivity/phobias/overwhelm

 balance/coordination/posture

 dyslexia/attention deficit/impulsivity

 focus/memory

 speech/articulation

You can find the flyer for the course here.

Materials for Sale

I am looking to sell some materials:

1. DTVP Response booklets and examiner record forms (18 sets)- no manual.  These are normally $4.36 per response booklet or $2.04 per examiner record form.  I will do $3.00 per response booklet and $1.50 per examiner record form.
2. The Carolina Curriculum for Preschoolers with Special Needs plus 7  booklets- $25.00 
3. The Carolina Curriculum for Infants & Toddlers with Special Needs plus 6 booklets $25.00

Please contact me either by phone: 403-990-6578 or by email: growingskills@gmail.com

Thanks!

Krista

Private OT needed in Calgary

Family living in Huntington Hills, Calgary require an Occupational Therapist for Specialized Services, FSCD funding. The child is an 11 year old boy with autism, attention deficit disorder and epilepsy. The program will be after school Thursdays and Fridays and Saturdays. They have had behavioual aide contracts prior to this. Significant sensory concerns leading to challenging behaviours are noted as well as perseverative behaviours. The team is also looking for and S-LP and PT. If you are interested please contact Cindy O`Neil at cindy-oneil@hotmail.com or (403) 669-650 she has been providing behavior support to the team and is great to work with!

Autism in Early Childhood: A Comprehensive Workshop

Save the date for a workshop that Renfrew will be offering in may 2012 that will be of interest to families, clinicians, therapy and educational assistants and others working with children on the autism spectrum. Please pass it along to others may be interested. It will be offered on May 4-5, 2012 in Calgary.

Save the Date info found here.

Part-time Continuing Connections Occupational Therapist Position

Reporting to the Manager of Community Geriatric Mental Health Services, the Continuing Connections Occupational Therapist will be working with the Under-65 population residing in supported living facilities, who experience a mental illness, with the goal of optimizing the functioning, independence and quality of life of the patient. Operating within a multi-disciplinary team, which will include psychiatry, and allied health support, the OT will provide evidence-based and therapeutic recommendations to professional caregivers (nurses, health aides, LPNs, allied health) and family physicians regarding the treatment and management of functional deficits as well as behavioral and mental health symptomatology in the under-65 population residing in supported living facilities.

Posting found here.

Brain Highways: The Proprioceptive System and the Vestibular System

Check out these great videos by Brain Highways on the Proprioceptive and Vestibular Systems. They are super simple and would be a great tool to show teachers and parents.

Fine Motor Camp Spring 2012 for Grades 1-5

Growing Changes is offering a Spring Fine Motor Camp for Kids. Check the flyer for more information.

A 6 week fun and interactive camp for children grades 1 - 5 who find printing, using scissors or other fine motor activities challenging. The camp will be run by two experienced pediatric occupational therapists. A multi-sensory approach will be used along with co-operative games and crafts to practice the skills needed for hand functioning. This camp is designed for children who may be experiencing mild to moderate delays in fine motor development or who would benefit from extra practice.

Email growingchanges@gmail.com to register.

Diagnosis of DCD

Does anyone know of any Dr's / clinics who diagnose DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder)? If so, can you send me their full name, contact information, and referral process. We have some families who are seeking diagnosis for their child.

Thanks so much,
Natalie

Natalie.Hutchison@albertahealthservices.ca

Recommendation for DCD Meetings

The Community of Practice on Understanding DCD invites you to our next 2 Open Meetings to discuss the new Recommendations for DCD from the European Academy for Childhood Disability (which are also the new Clinical Practice Guidelines for Germany and Switzerland):

-- Feb 9^th at 12:00, focusing on Recommendations for Treatment, and

-- March 8^th at 4:30, focusing on other Recommendations (TBD)

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology (DMCN) has a 40 page summary of the EACD recommendation here. You can also find the complete long version of the recommmendations (115 pages) and the shorter 'pocket' version (10 pages) on the EACD website here.

For the February meeting, we will discuss how the guidelines might be applicable to your practice setting. You will find it helpful to review:

- part of the DMCN article: pages 74 – 84, Sections 8.5 to 9.4 (quite long, but very descriptive),

or

- 3 pages of the Pocket version “Treatment” Algorithm and the 2 pages of recommendations which follow the algorithm (short, to the point, but lacking in the rationale).

Please feel free to forward this email, with attachments, to invite your teammembers and colleagues in the health or education professions who are also working with children who have DCD (such as psychologists, recreation therapists, etc.) and who would be interested in discussion of the first multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines for DCD.

Both meetings are held at ACH in room B4-011, with other Telehealth sites available.

Email Tammy Nighswander (tammyn@ualberta.ca) if you need more information on Telehealth sites.

Many Thanks!

Tammy Nighswander and Brenda Wilson