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Speciabilities Development Center would like to invite parents and caregivers to attend a workshop-seminar entitled D.I.Y. Therapy to be held on the 12th of October, 2008 in Quezon City, Philippines.

Topics to be taken up include Sensory Integration, Behavior Management Techniques, Activities of Daily Living, and Language Stimulation Techniques.

Check out the flyer below for more details.

Click to enlarge

Presidential Proclamation No. 558 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on March 25, 2004 declared the period from September 16-22, 2004 and every year thereafter as Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Ang CP na may Kabuhayan, Makakatulong sa Bayan.”  Quoted below is an excerpt of Mr. Cunanan’s Withnews.org article.

Persons with Disability, Differently-Abled Persons

They used to be known as persons with disability. The politically correct term now is “differently abled persons.” And just because they can’t do things the way other people can doesn’t mean they are of less use to society, to themselves, and to their families.

In many instances, when given the opportunity, to be the best that they can be, they fare better than the rest of us.And so society has an obligation to tap their strengths, skills, and talents to make them productive members of the community.

Read more »

Click here to view featured videos at Theraconcepts.

When and Where
19 October 2008
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Function Hall, 2nd floor, EGI Tower, Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila (near Dela Salle University), Philippines

MORNING ACTIVITY: Seminar for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy
Registration: 8:30-9:00 AM
Start: 9:00 AM
End: 12:00 NN

Seminar Objectives:

1. Discuss principles of management/handling of the child with cerebral palsy at home.
2. Discuss specific concerns of parents in the care of the child with cerebral palsy.

Schedule of Activities:
8:30-9:00: REGISTRATION and BAG Announcements
9:00-10:00: Introduction to the Bobath Concept (Specific Needs of the Child with Cerebral Palsy)
10:00-11:45: Management at Home (Discussion and Video-showing)
11:45-12:00: Q&A and Seminar Evaluation

NO REGISTRATION FEE FOR PARENTS.

AFTERNOON ACTIVITY: Management of the Child with Cerebral Palsy in School
Registration: 12:30-1:00 PM
Start: 1:00 PM
End: 5:00 PM

Seminar Objectives:

1. Discuss the Bobath clinical classification of cerebral palsy and principles of treatment.
2. Discuss normal development and its applications in the management of children with cerebral palsy.
3. Discuss principles of management of the child with cerebral palsy in the school setting in the following spheres of function:
   - Transfers and mobility; physical education
   - Object manipulation, play, and handwriting
   - Feeding
   - Toileting
   - Speech and communication

Schedule of Activities:
12:30-1:00: REGISTRATION and BAG Announcements
1:00-2:00: Introduction to the Bobath Concept (Specific Needs of the Child with Cerebral Palsy)
2:00-4:30: Management in School (Discussion and Video-showing)
4:30-5:00: Q&A and Seminar Evaluation

Seminar Fee:
Pre-registration (up to October 12, 2008): 500 PhP
On-site registration: 600 PhP

For reservations and inquiries, please text or call BAG-Philippines at 0917 733 6409 or send an e-mail at bobath_philippines@yahoo.com.

PWD accessibility in full swing

The accessibility for PWD in this latest SM supermall went into full swing.

Facilities like comfort rooms, wider parking lane, wider elevator, elevated pathways, accessible movie houses, priority lanes were all very accessible with facilities designated to be used only by PWD’s so that they can be well attended by SM employees.

The comfort room is designated and reserved only for PWD. It is always closed and if a PWD needs to use it, there’s a doorbell near the door that will signal a janitor to come and open it.

The cubicles and wash basins have railings to make it easier to use and the comfort room is being kept clean all the times.

Inside the movie houses, there are is a special place for wheelchair user with a ramp within it. It is located near the cinema’s entrance so as not to make the wheelchair user go far. The walkway leading to the cinema is also wide and has ramps.

In the ticket booth, there’s a special priority lane for PWD.

The parking area of the mall has reserved area for PWD’s. It has plastic barricades to ensure that the area is reserved only for PWD’s.

Ramps can also be found in the parking and around the mall.

The elevators of the mall are also wide and can hold 2 wheelchair users. And of course, priority will be given to PWD in using the elevators.

Please click here to read the full article from Withnews.org.

Amer de Juan, OTD(C), OTR/L(HTC/PAM) , Neuro-IFRAH Certified®, Neuro-IFRAH Instructor(Cand. ), is sponsoring two Continuing Education Courses for 2009:

1. Introduction to the Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation® (NEURO-IFRAH®) Approach to Adult Hemiplegia from a Stroke and Brain Injury.

It will be held on February 21-22, 2009 at The Tunnell Rehabilitation and Healthcare, 1359 Pine Street, San Francisco, CA 94109.

If you are a PT, OT SP or Physical and Occupational therapy Assistant or a Nurse looking to improve or update your handling skills, this course is for you. This two day is designed to provide participants with an introduction to the Neuro-IFRAH® principles of management and a practical application of these principles to increase function.

Participants will be able to apply the information learned in a variety of treatment settings including acute care, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, home care, and skilled nursing facilities. This course will consist of interactive lecture and hands on lab. Lab sessions will emphasize the development of patient handling skills through working with other participants. Information will be shared by lecture, lab and possibly using video or other visual aids. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be Neuro-IFRAH Trained®. (14 contact hours).

Course Fee: $400, early registration $385.

2. NEURO-IFRAH® Certification Course in the Treatment and Management of Adults with Hemiplegia from a Stroke or Brain Injury

A NEURO-IFRAH® Organization Approved Course that includes basic to advanced concepts of the Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habilitation (NEURO-IFRAH® ) approach by Waleed Al-Oboudi.

This course is specifically designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, physical therapy assistants, and occupational therapy assistants who work with adults with Hemiplegia from a stroke or brain injury.

This course is provided in a two week formats “Format part I (6 days) March 16-21, 2009 and part II (6 days) May 3-8, 2009 for a total of 12 days. The course will provide 98 hours of instruction.

This comprehensive course covers basic to advanced concepts and effective application in a practical, organized manner to enhance learning. The main emphasis is on assessment and management to develop excellence in maximizing functional outcomes throughout the continuum of care. This course utilizes an integrative whole-person approach with emphasis on restoring function and making it functional for a return to independent living and resumption/assumpti on of roles. Challenges encountered by therapists in meeting their patients’ needs throughout the continuum of care are addressed throughout the course. The course consists of lecture, laboratory practice, demonstrations, and patient treatment. Individual attention by the instructors will be provided to enhance participants’ observation, handling, and problem-solving skills.

This course includes the practical application of current basic to advanced concepts sequenced in a creative manner to help all participants meet the course objectives as well as their individual objectives. Waleed Al-Oboudi, who has taught the most multiple-week courses in the past 10 years and the majority of the advanced courses ever taught throughout the United States, specifically
designed this course. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be Neuro-IFRAH Certified®.

Venue is to be announced (Downtown San Francisco, CA) and course fee $2,000 Early Registration, $2150 Regular Fee).

Credit
The Neuro-IFRAH® Organization is an Approved Provider for Continuing Education by The American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. This course is sponsored by the Neuro-IFRAH® Organization in
collaboration Amer de Juan/San Francisco Neurorehabilitation. Participants earn 0.1 AOTA CEU’s for each hour of attendance (contact hours). The assignment of AOTA CEU’s does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products or clinical procedures by the AOTA.

Please register directly with Amer de Juan (650)303-0509, you can also refer to http://sanfrancisco neurorehabilitat ion.com/neuroifr ah.html for more information and updated information. Also see www.neuro-ifrah. org.

September 17 is National School Backpack Awareness Day in the US and it focuses to help students to “Pack It Right, Wear It Light.”

Here are ten tips to avoid backpack-related health problems as published by the American Occupational Therapy Association:

1. Never let a child carry more than 15% of his or her body weight. This means a child who weighs 100 pounds shouldn’t wear a backpack heavier than 15 pounds.
2. Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back and arrange books and materials to prevent them from sliding.
3. Always wear both shoulder straps. Wearing only one strap can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort.
4. Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Too much pressure on shoulders and necks can cause pain and tingling.
5. Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly to the child’s back. The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back, never more than four inches below the child’s waistline.
6. Use the waist belt, if the backpack has one, to help distribute the pack’s weight more evenly.
7. Check what your child carries to school and brings home to make sure the items are necessary to the day’s activities.
8. If the backpack is too heavy, consider using a book bag on wheels if your child’s school allows it.
   Choose the right size pack for your child’s back as well as one with enough room for necessary school items.
9. If a student is experiencing back pain or neck soreness, consult your physician or occupational therapist.

Source: AOTA

Related Link: Study: Most University Students Self-Report Discomfort Pain Due to Backpack Usage

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is once again offering Filipino Sign Language Classes to the public. Quoted below is an excerpt from Withnews.org article.

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) is offering Filipino Sign Language (FSL) Classes. FSL classes are open to all interested Deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing people from within and outside of the DLS-CSB campus. These classes help its students gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the Deaf’s unique language and culture.

Classes are held three hours a week and will be conducted by Deaf teachers. Available class schedule are: Monday/Friday, Tuesday/Thursday, Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday or Friday or Sat.

Course fee is php 2,400.00 (plus php 535 for those who not have a DLS-CSB for generic ID).

Please contact the Filipino Sign Language Learning Program (FSLLP) office of the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) at 526-7441 local 131, email: salazarab@dls-csb.edu.ph

Discounts are available for DLS-CSB faculty through CLCIR and also other DLS-CSB staff upon approval of concerned heads.

Registration Starts from August 26 up to September 13, 2008 while the Filipino Sign Language Orientation Seminar will start on the last day of registration.

The Visual Gestural Communication Workshop part 1 will also start on September 13 and part 2 on September 20, 1-4pm.

Sign Language Class starts on September 15.

Read more »

The Center for Holistic Intervention, Plans, and Services, Inc. and Holistic Optimum Management Experts, Inc. would like to invite you to their seminar entitled Therapy Secrets: What Works At Home.

The seminar will feature discussions and demonstration of essential therapy techniques from each discipline namely the medical professions, occupational, speech and special education which intend
to facilitate appropriate carry over of therapy management from clinic to the child’ s natural setting which is your home.

When & Where
September 21, 2008
1:00 - 5:00pm
Valdez Hall of Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines

Seminar Fees
Fees are inclusive of snack, seminar kit, hand outs and certificate of attendance.

Early Registration (from August 13- September 13)
P 300 - each parent/ guardian
P 500 - if both parents will attend

On-site Registration
P 350 – each parent/guardian

For further queries, you may call Teacher Arlene at (632) 4415018 or Teacher Brenda at (632) 3623156.

Ever heard of the ReWalk™? Well, it was invented and is continually being developed by Israeli high-tech company Argo Medical Technologies. They describe their latest invention as…

… a wearable, motorized quasi robotic suit. It gives users the day-long ability to walk, stand from sitting position, climb stairs, ascend and descend slopes – and drive.

Exercising even paralyzed limbs in the course of movement, ReWalk™ alleviates many of the health-related problems associated with long-term wheelchair use. These include urinary, respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive problems, as well as osteoporosis and pressure sores.

A backpack, leg braces and remote-control wristband comprise the invention. Users initiate movements from the wrist control. Leaning forwards activates body sensors that set the robotic legs in motion.

Read the full article here.

The Écoute Center for Auditory Training cordially invites you a seminar entitled “Brain Gain with No Pain: How the Tomatis Method Helps to Re-Pattern the Connections to the Brain” with Françoise Nicoloff as speaker.

Click on image to enlarge

When & Where
14 September 2008, Sunday
1:00 PM
Quality Life Discoveries
#70 20th Avenue, Project 4, Quezon City, Philippines

For more information, please call (632) 7712046 or send an email to info@tomatis.com.ph. To read more about the Tomatis Method, click here.

When & Where
20 September 2008
9 am – 12 noon; 1-3 PM
CAMP AVR, University of the Philippines, Manila

About the Speaker
Zielfa Maslin was recently awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the United Kingdom (UK). She is the author of “Management in Occupational Therapy”, a book that provides an introduction to the functions and responsibilities of an OT in a managerial role. She was Course Director of Occupational Therapy at Crawley College in the UK. Zielfa is an alumna of the UP Manila College of Allied Medical Professions.

Learning Outcomes
1. Explain rationale of teaching CAA.
2. Define CAA and explain elements of this approach.
3. Explain marking criteria and its use.
4. Practice giving reasons for interventions and using marking criteria.
5. Critique CAA and explore ways of using CAA in clinical supervision.

Registration
Registration starts at 8:00 AM on a first come, first served basis.

Course fee: 600 Php
CAMP Alumni: 500 Php

Limited slots only!

For inquiries and reservations, please call Chrissy Coronel or Eric Aguila at 5267125 or send an e-mail to cmacoronel@gmail.com or eaguila_otr@yahoo.com.

Here is an important announcement from the Department of Physical Therapy and Association of Physical Therapy Students (APTS) of the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), University of the Philippines Manila.

In celebration of World Physical Therapy Day the Department of Physical Therapy and Association of Physical Therapy Students (APTS) of the College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), University of the Philippines Manila will be holding poster presentations on Critically Appraised Topics in Physical Therapy Practice.

This activity is the culmination of the course OPST 199 Methods of Research. One of the course objectives is to develop knowledge and skills in evidence-based physical therapy practice. Faculty members provided practice background to the students that served as groundwork for the process of asking a practice question, searching the literature for evidence, critically appraising the evidence, and making a practice decision. Faculty mentors provided the students guidance and professional knowledge into the decision making.

The purpose of the poster presentation is to provide awareness to physical therapy practitioners and other health care practitioners on the feasibility of teaching evidence-based physical therapy practice. We would like to share our experience in teaching and motivating undergraduate students to develop basic skills required for this type of practice.

The activity will be held on 13 September 2008, Saturday, 9.00 AM at the Damian Hall, UP Manila - CAMP grounds. We have prepared a simple program that will commence with ribbon cutting and opening remarks and will be followed shortly by the poster presentations and simple refreshments. Students and their faculty mentors will be standing beside the posters to answer questions from guests. Posters will be exhibited until 12.00 PM of that day. We encourage you to bring your faculty, colleagues, staff members, and senior PT students to this event.

We would like to request you to inform us of your intention to attend the presentations by 05 September 2008, Friday. This would allow us to estimate the compendiums and refreshments that we need to prepare.

Should you have questions regarding this activity, please do not hesitate to contact me through the CAMP telephone numbers or via mobile phone (0917 8074708) or electronic mail (edward.gorgon@hotmail.com) . You may also contact Prof. Mia Rotor (coordinator of OPST 199) or Ms. Mary Grace Jordan (adviser to the APTS) through the CAMP telephone numbers.

We look forward to seeing you on this event. Join us in celebrating World Physical Therapy Day!

Sincerely yours,
Edward James R Gorgon MPhysio PTRP
Assistant Professor, Chairperson
Department of Physical Therapy
College of Allied Medical Professions
University of the Philippines Manila
Damian Hall, Padre Faura Street, Ermita
Manila 1000, Philippines
Phone: 63.2.5267125, 63.2.5245113
Fax: 63.2.5262271
Mobile: 63.917.8074708
E-mail: ejrgorgon@post.upm.edu.ph

September 8 is World Physical Therapy Day, as designated by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy. The theme for this year is Movement for Health.

The intention is that this day be used to recognise the work that physical therapists do for their patients and their community, and to support them in their efforts to promote the profession and to advance their clinical expertise.

This day marks the unity and solidarity of the physical therapy community from 101 countries around the world.

Celebration of the day is voluntary and activities & materials to celebrate the day are left to Member Organisations so that they can be developed to reflect key national priorities & messages.

Read more »

Download the toolkit of materials here.

Laro, Lapis at Libro Center for Learners will be conducting a series of seminars in the following months.

Seminar 1: Behavior Management
Sept 20, 2008 (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Rooms 5 & 6
Walter Hogan Conference Center
ISO, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines

Seminar 2: Academic Coaching
November 29, 2008 (1:00 pm-5:00 pm)
Walter Hogan Conference Center
ISO, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines

Seminar 3: Emotion Coaching
January 24, 2009 (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Walter Hogan Conference Center
ISO, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines

Taken together, the seminars empower teachers, parents, and other involved adults to bring out the best in grade school children who have lost their desire for learning, or who are lagging behind in school. The seminars may also be taken individually to address specific requirements.

Resource Speaker
Dr. Rosario Margarita A. Aligada obtained her PhD in Education (major in Reading), her Master’s degree in Special Education, and her Bachelor of Science degree in Community Nutrition from the University of the Philippines. She is a Senior professorial lecturer of the College of Education (Graduate School) of Miriam College, and is a member of the advisory board and co-founder of the AD/HD Society of the Philippines. She heads Learning Inn, a Diagnostic and Therapy Center; and is Programs Officer of Eucharistiana Center for Special Children, a school for children with special educational needs.

Registration Fee
Special Price: One-time pre-registration (before Sept. 20) for all 3 seminars: Php1,200
Pre-registration per seminar: Php500.00
On-site registration per seminar: Php600.00

For inquiries, please contact Laro, Lapis at Libro, Inc. at:
110 Amang Rodriguez Jr., Ave, Dela Paz, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel. (632)915-5265, (63927)963-4587
email: larolapislibro@yahoo.com

Alternatively, you may also download their flyer here: Laro Seminar Series Flyer.

Two of the latest updates shared by the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) to its members are “Colors of Autism” and “ALYANA” – Now on YouTube.

Colors of Autism Spectrum
“Colors of Autism Spectrum” is a photo and painting exhibit aimed at promoting autism awareness according to ASP.

When & Where
August 29 to 31, 2008
The Block, SM North EDSA, Quezon City

Click here for related link.

…

Made within a span of two-and-a-half years, the film traces the history of autism in the Philippines dating back to the 1970s when awareness about the disability was practically nil. It shows the plight and the struggle of persons with autism, their families, and those involved in their lives, especially focusing on the experiences of Mothers in handling and coping up with the situation of having an autistic child.

Oral history in treatment, the filmmaker Ms. Mirana Medina takes the audience along with her in a personal quest to find out what autism really is, starting with the case of her grand niece Alyana, the only member of their family with autism.

Source: ASP

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has recently recognised new research on the effectiveness of the Alexander technique in dealing with chronic back pain.

Study Findings
More than 500 patients with chronic or recurrent low back pain took part in the study over a year.

They were given either normal GP care (control), six sessions of massage, or six or 24 lessons on the Alexander technique. A doctor also prescribed half the patients in each group exercise.

Compared with the control group, all interventions showed ’significant’ reductions in days in pain at three months, but the benefits of massage did not last beyond that.

The study found that the Alexander technique and exercise were ‘helpful in the long term’.

Six lessons in the Alexander technique followed by exercise prescription were almost as effective as 24 lessons.

Read more »

Related Link:
Randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage (ATEAM) for chronic and recurrent back pain from the British Medical Journal

Tools for Living Well is a joint project of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the University of Ottawa, sponsored by Health Canada and Veterans Affairs Canada.

About the Project
Assistive devices can enable seniors and veterans to remain safe and active:

• A cane can allow people to continue to walk and maintain their leisure and fitness.
• Bath safety devices, including grab bars, non-slip bath mats, and bath seats can enhance safety and allow seniors continued independence when bathing or showering.
• Hip protectors can help prevent hip fractures if falls do occur.

Read more »

They have several pamphlets featuring the following:

• Hip Protectors
• Avoid falls while travelling
• Bath Seats
• Grab Bars
• Bath Mats
• Canes
• Have a safe home
• Funding for home modifications for seniors and veterans
• Protect yourself from falls
• Reduce your risk of falls
• Seniors are good for business

Source: Otworks.ca

The Philippine Association for Behavioral Analysis invites you to a two-day conference on August 28-29, 2008 at 9am to 4pm at the Institute of Social Order of the Ateneo de Manila University in Loyola Heights , Quezon City, Philippines. The theme for this month’s conference is Autism, ABA and Evidence-Based Practices: A Developmental Pediatrician’s Perspective.

PABA’s main speaker Dr. Linda Copeland M.D., F.A.A.P., B.C.B.A is a Board Certified Developmental Pediatrician & Behavior Analyst, Fellow of American Academy of Pediatrics, and awarded by Families for Early Autism Treatment (FEAT) 2002 Award for Excellence in Services for
Young Children with Autism.

Topics and Speakers

The Withdrawn Child: Is it Autism?
Dr. Linda Copeland

The Big Picture: Creating a Clear Picture of the Future
Anna Luchauco

The Pyramid Approach: Teaching Children with Autism
Maria Rosario Joaquin

There will be a panel discussion after the lectures.

For inquiries please call the PABA Conference Secretariat at (632) 722-0801 or fax (632) 7257610.

1st Asia-Pacific Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) Congress

When & Where
9-11 December 2008
Bangkok, Thailand

Theme: “Community-based Inclusive Development: Persons with disabilities and their families”

The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Royal Thai Government welcome you to the 1st Asia-Pacific CBR Congress, 9-11 December 2008, at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok.

This will be the first opportunity for CBR implementers, policy-makers and representatives of disabled people’s organizations (DPOs) from all over the Asia-Pacific region to share the experiences, to form a network and to be updated with the new trends in CBR within the context of the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (2003-2012) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Click here for more information.

The University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences cordially invites you to its third module of their Certification Course in Manual Therapy. Topic is on the Thoracic Region: Manual Therapy Evaluation and Treatment Techniques.

When & Where
August 31, 2008
8AM to 5PM
Room 209 (Physical Therapy Skills Laboratory), Medicine Building
University of Santo Tomas
Espana, Manila, Philippines

Programme for Module 3
8:00AM – 10:00AM : Biomechanics of the Thorax
10:00AM – 10:20AM: Break
10:00AM -12:00NN : Form and Force Closure of the Thorax
12:00NN-1:00PM : Lunch Break
1:00PM – 3:00PM : Soft Tissue Manipulation of the Thorax
3:00PM - 3:20PM : Break
3:20PM -5:00PM : Thoracic Manipulation

Course Presentors
Valentin C. Dones III, MSPT, PTRP, DMS, COMT
Leomil P. Adriano, MSPTc, PTRP, DMS, PTAc

Registration Fee: Php 2,000 per module

Slots are limited to only 30 per module so early registration is encouraged. For further inquiries, please call (632) 4061611 local 8454/8455 and look for Trina, Janine, Pau or Donald or send an email to k3nalb@gmail.com.

Here is an important announcement from the organizers of the First North Luzon Child Care Development Convention, which will be held on 22 August 2008 in Dagupan, Philippines.

Medialink Events Management after its momentous success in bringing the Information Communication Technology Congress in the region last February will once again launch a new informative and the latest symposium on child care entitled The 1st North Luzon Child Care
Development Convention with the theme “Awareness and Early Detection of Child Developmental Delays for a Healthier Environment” which will be held on the 22nd of August 2008 from 9AM to 5PM at Dagupan Peoples Astrodome. This one-day event has lined up key lectures from doctors, prominent leaders and advocates on early child care development and child behavioral disabilities.

This seminar is highly interactive which will prepare attendees to pursue and maintain global competitiveness in the field of child care development. It explores the current and future directions in
assessing child with behavioral concerns, cognitive and motor delays, causes of behavioral disabilities, promoting awareness on AD/HD and autism cases in the world and the intervention that the community can do for the affected individuals.

This seminar desires to empower the front liners of child care which includes the parents, teachers, doctors, nurses, therapists, health care assistants, social workers, care givers and even school
administrators.

In line with this, we would like to invite you, your faculty and your students’ parents to take a significant part of this event. We assure you that this event will be worth their time and effort.
Your presence will make the event a bigger success. Thank you for your steadfast support. More power and God bless!

Respectfully yours,
Kharmina B. Velasco
Events Chairman
0927-688-8106/ 075-5162114

24-30 August 2008 is Speech Pathology Week in Australia. This year’s theme is: ‘Communication: More than just words’.

Speech Pathology Week will showcase the speech pathology profession and highlight how timely and specialist intervention from a speech pathologist can assist individuals and their families.

What is a Speech Pathologist?

According to Speech Pathology Australia…

A speech pathologist has been trained to assess and treat people who have a communication disability.
Speech pathologists complete a degree at university which encompasses all aspects of communication including speech, writing, reading, signs, symbols and gestures. Speech pathologists also work with people who have difficulties swallowing food and drink. Speech pathologists or speech-language pathologists were formerly known as speech therapists. They are different from speech and drama teachers.

Source: Speech Pathology Australia

When & Where
November 7 & 8, 2008
Boston/Natick, MA
Pre-symposium Workshop - November 6, 2008

“Interweaving the Cognitive Disabilities Model with other Intervention Models”

Program Highlights

Featured Guest Speaker: Joan Toglia, PH.D., OTR

Dr. Toglia is Associate Professor and Program Director of the Graduate Program in Occupational Therapy at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY and a Professional Associate in the Rehabilitation Medicine Department at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill-Cornell Medical Center. With over 25 years of expertise, Dr. Toglia has published and presented nationally and internationally on perceptual cognitive rehabilitation.

“Looking through a Different Lens: Dynamic Assessment and the Multicontext Treatment Approach”

Dr. Toglia’s presentation will describe the theoretical assumptions, methods and characteristics of dynamic assessment and the multicontext approach with clinical applications and research implications for persons with schizophrenia, dementia and brain injury. Comparisons will be drawn between this approach and the cognitive disability model.

Dr. Toglia’s presentation will be followed by a panel discussion comparing the two models and sharing clinical applications that integrate aspects of both approaches.

Additional presentations and posters by OTs, PTs, and SLPs will address the interweaving of other practice and discipline-specific models with the cognitive disabilities model in clinical practice, education, and research in physical rehabilitation, geriatric, mental health contexts.

Click here for more information.

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy will be holding the CSP Congress with “Moving physiotherapy forwards for patient health and well-being” as its theme for this year.

When and Where
17-18 October 2008
Manchester Central Convention Complex
Manchester, UK

What is Congress 2008?
This high-profile two-day event showcases the latest best practice, research, educational and professional developments in physiotherapy.

The programme features keynote speakers, a packed programme of lectures, workshops and debates as well as an extensive social programme.

Congress 2008 is structured around four programme strands: musculoskeletal, neurology, cardio-respiratory, and health, work and wellbeing.

For more information, click here.

For therapists who are working (and will be working ) in skilled nursing facilities, you encounter terms such as  Medicare RUG (Resource Utilization Group) level, reference periods, minutes, etc.  OT-Advantage.com has an article titled Capturing Minutes for Occupational Therapy Treatment featuring tips on maximizing time with patients while helping them reach quantitative results.

Capturing Minutes for Occupational Therapy Treatment

If you are an Occupational Therapy practitioner or even a Level II student at a skilled nursing facility, you have probably found it difficult to strike a balance between giving quality treatments in accordance with meeting a Medicare RUG (Resource Utilization Group) level.  Typically, when a patient is admitted to a skilled nursing facility from a hospital, and has Medicare coverage, the MDS coordinator sets reference periods.  If you are new to this area of practice, the reference periods are critical when establishing how many treatment minutes a client can/will receive for Physical, Occupational, and Speech therapy. 

To give you a crash course with reference periods, there are different levels a patient can reach, dependent upon their therapy treatment minutes, nursing intervention (i.e., IV antibiotics), and the period of time the patient will be receiving these.  Furthermore, the assessment period becomes Medicare’s crystal ball.  They have preset reimbursement rates, given the set criteria.  For example, if the patient is receiving 150 minutes of therapy a day during a reference period, Medicare will reimburse accordingly.  If a patient is receiving 30 minutes of therapy combined (OT/PT/SLP) and IV antibiotics, Medicare will reimburse according to the designated RUG level as well.  Generally speaking, the more therapy treatment time the greater the reimbursement.

What becomes even more tricky is coordinating a patient’s medical status (e.g., patient is nauseated and cannot participate with therapy on the day of admit), the amount of time Occupational/Physical/Speech Therapy has to evaluate and treat the patient upon admission (evaluation minutes do not count), nursing assessment (e.g., wound care or IV antibiotics), and how all of this can be combined to determine a patient’s RUG level.  Usually, the MDS Coordinator and Rehabilitation Coordinator work together when setting assessment dates and the treating therapists assist in carrying out the plan. 

Now that you have a small background on what happens when a patient is admitted to a skilled nursing facility, it is time to tap into a frustrating area for Occupational Therapy practitioners.  Many times OT clinicians feel the pressure to see patients for 75 minutes of therapy a day, from their rehabilitation managers.  Rightfully, the patient’s Medicare coverage is paying your facility based on the reference period RUG level for the patient’s stay.  This is the key reason you cannot see a patient for 75 minutes a day during a reference period and then immediately taper them down to 30 minute treatment sessions a day.  This is a fraudulent act.  The reason being, the crystal ball that I previously mentioned, Medicare wants assessment periods set to pay for future dates of therapy.  If a patient was seen for 30 minutes a day by Occupational and Physical Therapy combined during a reference period, Medicare will pay that designated RUG amount for X amount of future days.

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Source: OT-Advantage.com

There is new information for candidates who wish to take the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination in 2009.

OTR Examination:
Beginning January 2009, the OTR certification examination will consist of three (3) Simulation Test Items and 170 Multiple Choice Test Items.

COTA Examination:
The COTA examinations will continue to contain 200 multiple?choice items only.

Both the OTR and COTA examinations will remain 4 hours in duration.

To read more on this, click here.

Quoted below is an excerpt of the latest news by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).  A survey has revealed that there have been an increase in early motor delays in infants over the past six years.  The lack of “tummy time” was noted to be the number one contributor to the escalation in cases.

LACK OF TIME ON TUMMY SHOWN TO HINDER ACHIEVEMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES, SAY PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
APTA Recommendations In Line with National Survey Findings

ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 6, 2008 — The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is urging parents and caregivers to ensure that babies get enough “tummy time” throughout the day while they are awake and supervised, in light of a recent survey of therapists who say they’ve noticed an increase in motor delays in infants who spend too much time on their backs while awake.

In the national survey of 400 pediatric physical and occupational therapists, conducted on behalf of Pathways Awareness, a non-profit group dedicated to early detection of motor delays in children, two-thirds of those surveyed say they’ve seen an increase in early motor delays in infants over the past six years. The survey was conducted with the assistance of APTA’s Section on Pediatrics and the Neuro-Development Treatment Association (NDTA).

Those physical therapists who saw an increase in motor delays said that the lack of “tummy time,” or the amount of time infants spend lying on their stomachs while awake, is the number one contributor to the escalation in cases.

APTA spokesperson Judy Towne Jennings, PT, MA, a physical therapist and researcher from Fairfield, Ohio, said, “We have seen first-hand what the lack of tummy time can mean for a baby: developmental, cognitive, and organizational skills delays, eye-tracking problems, and behavioral issues, to name just some complications.” She added, “New parents are told of the importance of babies sleeping on their backs to avoid SIDS, but they are not always informed about the importance of tummy time.”

Jennings explains that because new parents now use car seats that also serve as infant carriers - many of which fasten directly into strollers and swings without having to remove the baby from the seat — this generation of babies spends prolonged periods of time in one position. She recommends that awake babies be placed in a variety of positions, including on their tummies, as soon as they return home from the hospital. “Ideally, babies should be placed on their tummies after every nap, diaper change and feeding, starting with 1-2 minutes,” she said. Jennings is co-author of the research, “Conveying the Message about Optimal Infant Positions,” Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, Volume 25, Number 3, 2005.

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The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), Inc. will be holding it’s 14th Annual State Regulatory Conference with “The State of Continuing Competency” as its theme.

This year’s conference features speakers covering a variety of topics, including:
• Effective Rule Writing
• Renewal Requirements for Professional Licensure and Certification
• The Central Principle of Balance in Health Care Regulation
• A Multi-Faceted Approach to Continuing Competency and Competency Assessment
• Top Recent Regulatory Cases
• Challenges to the Occupational Therapy Scope of Practice
• NBCOT Overview: A Statistical and Content Update

When & Where
Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th, 2008
Phoenix, Arizona, USA

For more information, you may download the conference brochure here.

Bobath Philippines would like to invite everyone to a workshop titled Tone Influencing Patterns for Feeding and Oromotor Function in celebration of the Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week (September 6-10, 2008). This is the third of a series of workshops on assessment and management of the child with cerebral palsy based on the Bobath Concept. (Participants of this workshop need not be attendees of the July 20 or August 17 workshops.)

When & Where
September 7, 2008
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Function Hall, 2nd floor, EGI Tower, Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila (near Dela Salle University)

Workshop Objectives

• Discuss the oromotor problems of the child with cerebral palsy and their relationship to the problems in postural tone and movement.
• Demonstrate positions that promote good alignment and preparation for feeding and speech and language activities.
• Demonstrate activities (tone influencing patterns) to promote good feeding and speech and language activities.
• Disuss the application of facilitation, inhibition and stimulation in the planning and implementing of occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy management of the child with cerebral palsy.

Schedule of Activities

8:30 - 9:00 Registration
9:00 - 10:00 Lecture: Oromotor and feeding problems of the child with cerebral palsy
10:30 - 11:45: (with working break) Mat Activity: Handling and Positioning
11:45 -12:00 BAG Announcements
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch Break
13:15 - 15:00: Mat Work: Tone Influencing Patterns in Treatment Activities (Problem Solving)
- Preparation
- Feeding
15:00 - 15:15 BREAK
15:15 - 16:00 More mat practice!
16:00 - 16:15 Q&A about specific problems

Seminar Fee
Pre-registration (From July 28- August 13, 2008): 1, 200 PhP
On-site registration: 1, 500 PhP
(Registration fee includes 2 snacks and handouts.)

For reservations and inquiries, sms or call BAG-Philippines at 0917 733 6409. You may also e-mail them at bobath_philippines@ yahoo.com.

The latest World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) News is now available for download at their website.

Inside

• Physical therapists urgently needed in world disaster zone
• World health professions’ conference on regulation
• Breakthrough on professional recognition in Israel
• Reports of major meetings by WCPT regions and subgroups

Click here to download WCPT News July 2008.