Greetings from Florida! teaming up with Calgary's vision mechanic

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Calgary’s own Dr. Charles Boulet (visionmechanic.net) and me, Robert Constantine, OTR\L (VisionRehabOT.com) are teaming up to present two days of vision instruction that will take you from curious to confident.

This conference promises to be full of usable information that you can use on your first day back to clinic. 

Feb 29-March 1 

Delta Hotels by Marriott Calgary South

135 Southland Drive S.E
Calgary, AB T2J 5X5

It will be loaded with activities from myself and Dr. B that are easy and inexpensive to make and fun for your pediatric patients to do.  

Here is a video to get you really excited. You can sign up today at VRROnline.com

https://visionmechanic.net/the-rehabilitation-therapist-as-vision-mechanic/

I look forward to meeting you all!!

Robert Constantine, OTR\L

visionrehabot@gmail.com

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Advice re: using digits and other goals for Apert’s syndrome and ASD

 I was hoping to brain storm some ideas for couple of kids who have Apert’s syndrome, one of them also has Autism. They are 3 years old. I work with them in a school setting and I am also new to the peds. World.

Child A, who also has autism, has d2-d4 webbed. Child B has D3-4 webbed. However, the child does not use D2 functionally (will not attempt to oppose or use it to grip toys. It typically sticks out with d3 and 4).

The tips of D1 are radially deviated. So, even if the child were to oppose d1 and2, the tip won’t align. There is no PROM or AROM in the DIPs or the PIPs of either child. They are stuck at around 0 degrees. The tip of d5 has a mild flexion contracture.

To pick up tiny objects (e.g., small blocks, cheerios), both children oppose d1 with d5. But, objects fall frequently despite how much they have adapted their skills to be more functional. However, they enjoy their play time without being frustrated frequently. Other compensation techniques noted are racking and cupping  motion to pick up heavier objects.

To my knowledge, there is no confirmed surgery or plan of one as of now to separate digits or address joint issues. Meanwhile, I have been doing general fine-motor activities and hand strengthening. As far as I know, they are not being followed up in the community else where regarding hand function.

Any thoughts on,1.       What could I work on besides general hand strengthening?

2.       At present, my goal was to develop a functional grasp to manage playing with everyday toys without dropping them 80%. Any thoughts on this goal? Additional goals?

3.       What about preparing them for printing skills? If they continue to have no AROM in their PIP and DIPs of  in their d2-d4, what kind of assistive technology could be used potentially at their age.

4.       Community referrals to other rehabilitation options (who would be agreeable to follow-up knowing that the child has access to specialized services).

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks so much.

Please reply here and/ or to: 

Sally Habashy (OT)

ot1@elves-society.com

Visual Processing Impairment I - Evaluation and Intervention for Adult Acquired Brain Injury

Presented by: Mary Warren PhD, OTR/L, SCLV, FAOTA

Location: Calgary, AB

Date: June 12 and 13, 2020

Cost: $475 early bird

Registration begins: January 13, 2020

To register: see attached brochure/registration form

Contact: ot4lifecalgary@gmail.com

VISUAL PROCESSING IMPAIRMENT I
EVALUATION AND INTERVENTION FOR
ADULT ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY
June 12 and 13, 2020                      Calgary, AB

MARY WARREN PhD, OTR/L, SCLV, FAOTA is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and instructor in the Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation. Dr. Warren developed the Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation at UAB and served as its program director and as Co-Director of the UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation before retiring in 2018. She continues to teach in the certificate program. Dr. Warren lectures extensively on vision rehabilitation for persons with age-related eye disease and vision impairment from adult acquired brain injury and is an internationally recognized authority in this area. Dr. Warren is the author of the Brain Injury Visual Assessment Battery for Adults (biVABA), co-editor of the textbook: Occupational Therapy Interventions for Adults with Low Vision and has contributed chapters to several rehabilitation textbooks.  In addition, Dr. Warren chaired the AOTA panel that developed specialty certification in low vision rehabilitation (SCLV). She was named a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association in 2006 for her work in vision rehabilitation. Among her many honors, she received the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Envision Foundation and the Presidents Award for Excellence in Teaching from the UAB School of Health Professions.

DESCRIPTION
This intensive workshop provides therapists with the skills to effectively
evaluate and treat visual perceptual dysfunction in adult patients
following stroke and head trauma. The course addresses: visual neglect
and inattention, oculomotor dysfunction, visual field deficits, reduced
visual acuity and disorders of complex visual processing. Participants
are taught how to identify deficiencies in functional performance which
are caused by visual perceptual impairment and design practical
interventions which increase independence in daily occupations. The
course emphasizes a functional and practical approach to evaluation,
treatment and documentation of visual perceptual dysfunction.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

·       Identify the basic neurological foundations underlying adult acquired
visual perceptual dysfunction.

·       Correlate deficiencies in visual perceptual processing with changes in
performance of daily occupations.

·       Identify client behaviours that may indicate deficiencies in visual
perceptual processing.

·       Select appropriate assessment tools to measure deficiencies in visual
perceptual processing.

·       Use assessment results to select appropriate treatment interventions.

·       Formulate appropriate treatment interventions and progression of
treatment to enable the client to use visual perceptual processing to
complete daily occupations.

·       Document deficiencies in visual perceptual processing and set
objective, achievable goals.

·       Collaborate with ophthalmologists, optometrists and other rehab
professions to maximize the effectiveness of treatment intervention.

                                      
                                                     Don’t miss out!
               This workshop has not been offered in Canada since 2013
                                        $475 CAD Early Bird Rate
                                              

INTENDED AUDIENCE
Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Physiotherapists.  Although the workshop is specifically designed for therapists who work with adults with acute brain injury, the evaluation and treatment principles are applicable to pediatric and cerebral palsy populations. The workshop is taught from the OT perspective but the information provided is applicable to PTs and SLPs.

LOCATION
The Winston Golf Club
2502 6 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 3Z3
Phone: 403-984-1700   Free parking on site

TUITION AND REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Early Bird Rate: $475 CAD by May 1, 2020.
Regular Rate: $525 CAD by May 22, 2020.
U.S. residents - please contact ot4lifecalgary@gmail.com for pricing

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE
Registration begins: January 13, 2020
1) Scan and email registration form to: ot4lifecalgary@gmail.com 
    (with payment via cheque or e-transfer to follow)            OR
2) Mail registration form and payment to:
    OT4LIFE Calgary, 1421 41 ST SW, Calgary, AB, T3C 1X7    

Registration is first come, first serve.  Registration confirmation and
receipts will be emailed within two weeks of receiving registration
and payment. Payment is required to reserve your spot.

METHOD OF PAYMENT
We accept cheque or Interac e-Transfer.  Unfortunately, we do not accept credit cards.  Tuition is in Canadian Dollars.
Email Interac e-Transfer to: ot4lifecalgary@gmail.com (no password required).  Please make cheque payable to:
“OT4LIFE Calgary”.  Post-dated cheques are accepted (dated up to May 22, 2020).  NSF cheques are subject to a $50 CAD fee.

REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Receive a full refund minus a $75 CAD processing fee before May 22, 2020. No refunds will be given after the registration deadline May 22, 2020.  Workshop may be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances or if sufficient enrollment is not reached by the registration deadline.  Upon cancellation, a full refund would be provided.  In no event shall “OT4LIFE Calgary” be responsible for any costs, losses, damages or liabilities related to this workshop. 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - REGISTRATION FORM                                                                        Presented by Mary Warren PhD, OTR/L, SCLV, FAOTA
Visual Processing Impairment I - Evaluation and Intervention for Adult Acquired Brain Injury
June 12 and 13, 2020                                                                                                                                                     Calgary,  AB                                     

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Please select rate and method of payment:     __  $475 CAD   Early Bird Rate until May 1, 2020    __  $525 CAD   Regular Rate until May 22, 2020   __   Cheque    __   Interac E-transfer

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