Building for the Future – Comprehensive Evaluation and Interview to Address the Equipment Needs of the Pediatric Client
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: TBD
Etac/Ki Mobility

Children with special healthcare needs may have many needs that differ from their typically developing peers.  This may include adaptive equipment to maintain or improve health status, help them function, and meet developmental milestones.  Refined assessment tools allow for early diagnoses, which then leads to early therapeutic intervention.  As a result, we can anticipate what the functional impairments are going to be, and what type of equipment may be indicated.

The timing of interventions, including provision of adaptive equipment, can be a critical contributor to success in meeting therapeutic goals.  Professionals involved in equipment prescription should recognize what types of equipment may be helpful, based on timing and diagnosis.  This presentation will review childhood development and disability and encourage the learner to consider the scope of possible equipment needs for the child with special healthcare needs.  

Increased Confidence: Building Success with Power Standing Mobility
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: TBD
Permobil

Providing standing power wheelchairs does not need to be a complicated or overwhelming experience.   The weight of ensuring that your clients get the best outcomes and do not lose confidence in the device can keep even the best clinicians and ATPs from going down the path of standing.   What does successful standing look like?   In this course we will review what makes successful standing, how dosages and expectations can make it easier for the client to achieve their goals, as well utilizing programming for standing success.

By the end of this course, participants will demonstrate an enhanced understanding of power wheelchair mobility, including the application of power wheelchair driving principles, occupation-based use of power seat functions, and the integration of seating and programming considerations to support clients’ daily occupational performance and participation.

Integrating Expertise: Speech-Language Pathologists Collaborating with OT/PT for High-Tech AAC Evaluation and Treatment
01. CEU / Beginner
Presented by: Sarah Schnierle, M.A., CCC-SLP, ATP
RM Speech

This course is designed to provide professionals with an in-depth understanding of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) types, with a focus on high-tech AAC solutions. Course emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, demonstrating how speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, & physical therapists can work together for eval/treatment.

When You Know Better, You Can Do Better. A course highlighting learning opportunities through less-than-ideal initial outcomes
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: Leah Cole, OTL, MOT, CEAC
Ride Designs

When providing custom seating systems, successful outcomes are dependent upon proper execution of standardized procedures including: A thorough discussion of needs, detailed mat assessment, precise measurements, accurate installation of components, individualized fitting protocols, and follow up appointments for fine tuning. Seems easy enough, right? A missed opportunity at any of these steps can leave the recipient with unintended struggles. How do we move past obstacles that inevitably arise during the process? This course is designed to highlight my personal experiences of overcoming inadvertent errors, strategy changes and less than desired outcomes.

Building Firm Foundations in Early Intervention: Adaptive Standing as AT
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: TBD
Rifton

This course highlights the critical importance of early diagnosis and the timely use of assistive technology to support children from birth to age three. Assessments for early diagnosis can identify the risk of cerebral palsy as early as four months of age. Current participation-based practices will incorporate equipment such as standers to implement postural management, promoting engagement in daily routines while leveraging crucial early brain plasticity. Specific strategies will strengthen communication among providers, families, and the EI team. Understanding key laws under IDEA will enable the team to successfully navigate funding for standing devices and similar essential assistive technology. 

A Twist on Power Assist for the Manual Wheelchair Rider
0.1 CEU / Intermediate to Advanced
Presented by: TBD
Etac/Ki Mobility

It is well documented that there is a high rate of upper extremity repetitive strain injury (RSI) among manual wheelchair riders. In addition to the risk of RSI, physical ability and the environment of use can pose further challenges to mobility. These factors can affect accessibility, speed, distance, and duration of travel, potentially limiting an individual’s social participation. Even the act of propulsion itself can hinder tasks that require the use of one or both hands during movement. Power assist technology has provided a solution to these challenges for many wheelchair riders.

While power assist technology has been available for some time, its popularity is increasing as more professionals and users recognize the advantages it can provide. To assist users in making informed prescriptive decisions, professionals must understand this evolving technology and be aware of the increasing diversity of product choices available. This presentation will discuss the mobility and health-related challenges that come with propelling a manual wheelchair. We will consider alternatives to address these challenges and review the various types of power assist devices currently available. 

Making Power Wheelchairs Smarter: Exploring the Continuum of SMART Technology
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: Lindsey Sharpe, PT, DPT, ATP
LUCI

Many power wheelchair drivers face a variety of issues related to their independence, safety, efficiency, and accessibility as a result of impaired motor control, visual deficits, impaired reaction time, inattention, and various other deficits that are common among wheeled mobility users. This course will review the continuum of currently available SMART technologies that can be incorporated into the power wheelchair to address these issues and improve driver safety, confidence, and independence.

Changes with Age: Giving You the Justification for Custom Manual Wheelchairs for the Geriatric Client
0.1 CEU / Beginner
Presented by: Erin Maniaci, PT, DPT, ATP
Motion Composites

The geriatric client can be easily overlooked as one who could benefit from a custom fitting, ultralightweight, adjustable manual wheelchair. They are too often provided the “basic” wheelchair without much thought. This course with review normal physiological changes that come with aging, and how proper wheelchair seating, base selection, fitting, and set up, can be justified for the geriatric client.

3:00-4:00pm

Clinically Speaking: The Difference Between Standard and Complex Rehab PWCs
0.1 CEU / All Levels
Presented by: Jennifer Janowicz PT, DPT, ATP/SMS
Quantum Rehab

This course will discuss the minimum performance characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of each power wheelchair group to help clinicians and supplier ATPs match the consumer’s needs to the technology solutions available.

4:00-5:00pm

Dialing It In: Drive Wheel Configuration and the Impact on Programming Alternative Drive Controls
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: Jennifer Janowicz PT, DPT, ATP/SMS
Quantum Rehab

Control of a power wheelchair with a proportional control vs an alternative switched control is very different and should be treated as such. To make things more challenging adding in different drive wheel configurations and personal preference complicates it further. This course will review drive wheel configuration and programming parameters and how to integrate both together to optimize the consumer’s experience. To drive this point home there will be a driving experience for a limited number of participants to conclude the class.

3:00-5:00pm

Clinical Implication for Power Wheelchair Technology
0.2 CEU/ Intermediate
Presented by: Lisa Rotelli
Invacare/ASL

This course will review the complexity of patients with the most involved bodies. People with limited access points that are speech impaired, mobility impaired and need to have support to access technology. 

We will discuss the integration of controls to connect technology that can optimize solutions for clients with limited control.