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Course Description

This course is the second part of the Pediatric VitalStim Therapy: Enhancing Decision Making series. Both the first and second part are included in your purchase and will appear as individual courses on your Online Course Menu. Participants will be able to activate each part separately at your discretion (within 6 months of purchase). Separate CEU certificates will be available to print upon successful completion of each part.
See Prerequisite below

Part 2 is where the fun begins! With the foundational review behind us, lots of time and attention will be given to review and discuss videos of treatments, pour over case studies and identify key components of successful treatment. Therapy techniques are peppered throughout this section as well. Therapists will feel empowered and strengthened in their knowledge base and treatment tool box to maximize the potential of the pediatric patients.

Completion of this course includes a 10 question quiz and 3 short answer questions which will be submitted to the instructor for grading.

NOTE: Registrants must be VitalStim Providers.
Prerequisite:
1. VitalStim Providers who completed the Adult Focus class must first take a foundation of pediatric anatomy/physiology of the swallowing system course Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Skill Acquisition Around Developmental Milestones prior to taking this course.
2. VitalStim Providers who completed the Pediatric Focus class may proceed with this advanced class.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify pediatric patients who are appropriate to receive VitalStim therapy
  • State at least 2 strategies to prepare a child for NMES therapy
  • Enhance therapeutic decision making and strategy development for management through dissection of case studies and their clinical outcomes
  • Discuss therapy techniques to use in addition to NMES to optimize therapeutic outcomes

Karin Mitchell

M.A. CCC-SLP

Karin Mitchell is a worldwide respected Speech Language Pathologist specializing in the care and treatment of pediatric feeding and swallowing, developmental care of the medically fragile infant and child, and pediatric traumatic brain injury. Her love of teaching and helping others drives her to create and deliver fun and empowering continuing education courses across the nation and internationally. Areas covered are Developmental Care in the NICU, Cue Based Feeding, pediatric feeding and swallowing analysis and treatment, including the use of VitalStim, swallow studies, enhancing decision making and clinical analysis, breast feeding the medically fragile infant and child, and developmental milestones supporting feeding skill acquisition. Beginning her practice in 1995, Karin sought out learning opportunities and creative ways to teach others. She now serves as a lead therapist for the NICU and Feeding Teams at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange, CA. With a clinical practice formed by a strong theory base in NDT and SI therapies, Karin is also NOMAS trained and VitalStim certified. She provides ongoing education in-services and hands-on labs for appropriate developmental care, positioning, handling, and feeding skills for clinical staff including medical residents, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists. Karin was a key player in the development of unit protocols and care plans for evidence-based developmental care in the highly specialized Small Baby Unit (ELBW) at CHOC which includes an ongoing education series required by all medical and support personnel. She is an active committee member for multiple qualities of care committees including Skin to Skin Care, Developmental Care, Infant Driven Feeds, Breast Feeding Coalition, Palliative Care, Neuro NICU Team, Trauma Team, and Family Centered Care. A dedicated leader, Karin devotes much of her time to the support and development of clinicians, serving as a mentor committed to building therapist's skills in clinical analysis and therapeutic effectiveness with medically fragile patients. She is a strong advocate for her patients and their families and speaks at local associations, community centers, local universities, and school districts to support medically fragile infants and children.

Financial Disclosure: Karin receives an honorarium from CIAO for the presentation of this course. She also receives royalties for the purchase of her recorded course(s)
Non-financial Disclosure: Karin uses VitalStim in her clinical practice.

26 Minutes
Placement Strategies
9 Minutes
Placement & Feeding Video
28 Minutes
Keys to Effective Therapy
17 Minutes
Decision Making for an Effective Treatment Plan
19 Minutes
Case Study #1
23 Minutes
Case Study #2
11 Minutes
Videos of treatments
10 Minutes
Case Study #3
4 Minutes
Video Test
10 Minutes
Case Study Reading
10 Minutes
Case Study Assignment 1
10 Minutes
Case Study Assignment 2
10 Minutes
Case Study Assignment 3
3.1 Hours
Total

Delivery VIA:

  • Online - This course is offered in an online, on demand format.

Contact hours pre-approved for:

  • 3.0 Hours
  • CIAO is an ASHA Approved Provider #AAWA (0.3 ASHA CEUs) bubble sheet required
  • CIAO is an AOTA Approved Provider #4119 (0.3 AOTA CEUs)
  • This course meets PDU Requirements for NBCOT (3 PDUs)
  • As an IACET Authorized Provider, CIAO offers CEUs for its programs that qualify under the ANSI/IACET Standard
  • CIAO is authorized by IACET to offer 0.3 CEUs for this program
  • 4.0 Hours OTs in CA - Advanced Practice Swallowing #25-S15

Course meets requirements for:

  • AOTA Classification Codes OT Process: Intervention


  • The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.



    0.3 ASHA CEUs
    Advanced level



    CIAO is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). CIAO complies with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognized internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices. As a result of this accreditation, CIAO is accredited to issue the IACET CEU.



    CIAO Automatically reports to CE Broker for Florida Occupational and Physical Therapists and Assistants. Florida SLPs can either use the ASHA CE Participant Form (Bubble Sheet) or self-submit through CE Broker.


    Reviews

    The case studies are new to me. I really enjoyed the challenge of independent thinking and carryover to practical therapy.

    - Albuquerque, NM / Aug 2023

    This was a very informative course. Thank you.

    - Harlingen, TX / Jul 2023

    I love courses taught by these two instructors! The information is clearly presented and easy to follow.

    - Frisco, TX / Jan 2023

    This was a recertification, nice review, but I am really stingy with my "highly capable assignments. Thank you, great as always.

    - Spokane, WA / Aug 2022

    I would love to have a place to ask quesions. Outstanding course and instructors!!!

    - Twin Falls, ID / Mar 2022

    Thank you for a great course.

    - Pottsville, PA / Mar 2022

    Loved the case studies!

    - Dallas, TX / Mar 2022

    Great info!

    - Clinton , MS / Feb 2022

    Thank you!

    - Meridian, ID / Feb 2022

    Another great CIAO course! I did the Adult certification course but work in the pediatric population and this was a great supplement for the course! I feel so much more equipped to treat my caseload. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

    - Owens Cross Roads, AL / Jul 2021

    I enjoy these instructors so much. There passion for pediatric treatment helps me strive to improve my skill set for this population. Thank you for the feedback on my answers. I have more confidence in the application of NMES for my pedi patients.

    - Palmer, AK / May 2021

    Thanks for offering this course. I feel more confident transferring what I learned in the adult course to my pediatric population.

    - Henderson, KY / Apr 2021

    I took another course and this one is by far the most informative. Thanks!

    - Midland, TX / Mar 2021

    These coures have been some of the best I have taken in years! I love learning with these instructors. I would recommend this course to any SLP, no matter how much experience.

    - Denver, CO / Jan 2021

    This course had some good information. I do think that some of the material assumes a lot of knowledge of appropriate developmental care, which depending on your audience may or not be true and may cause some confusion or missed information.

    - Hayden, ID / Jan 2020

    Kathy and Karin are great presenters and really know their stuff! I love how relatable they are and how they make the anatomy make sense. I am grateful for the case studies in both of these sections with responses from Karin. So helpful!

    - Burnsville, MN / Oct 2019

    Love the videos and cases in this course! Seeing is so powerful! Cannot have enough of these. Thank you!

    - Bethlehem, PA / Oct 2019

    I’m really excited to have completed this excellent course presented by Karin and Kathy. I have taken quite a few feeding courses and these therapists are exceptional with teaching. I will recommend them to our new CFY SLPs that have been starting with our clinic. The enthusiasm and knowledge that they provide will spark more enthusiasm with our new SLP,s with our little patients that require pediatric swallowing and feeding. Thank you for offering such a valuable course??

    - Petoskey, MI / Sep 2019

    This was a great course and it really illuminated how to begin to start treating peds with the use of NMES .

    - Danville, VA / Aug 2019

    I really learned with these courses and appreciate the feedback provided by the instructors. I have been an SLP for 6 years now and just recently took up the challenge of doing feeding therapy at Rehab center I work at and I'm excited to keep learning so keep up the great work providing all this great knowledge and skills!

    - BONITA SPRINGS, FL / Aug 2019

    Great course - I loved the information on how best to secure electrodes (i.e. warm washcloth). I also appreciate the information on best tape to use as we've been struggling with that. Thank you!

    - Fergus Falls, MN / Jul 2019

    I learned useful information and new perspectives pertaining g to vital stimulation and treatment. I enjoy the presenters they are clear and concise in their presentations.

    - Oklahoma City, OK / Jul 2019

    Excellent instructors! Very practical. I really like how much time they took with their responses in the case studies as well. Thank you!

    - Edina, MN / Jul 2019

    I have thoroughly enjoyed this course!!! The content was extremely relevant and helpful. I also really enjoyed having feedback from the instructors w/ each part of the case study that was submitted. It was great to have them take the time to give us feedback as well as direction when needed throughout the process of responding to each part of the case studies. I would highly recommend this course to other SLPs!!!

    - Hampstead, NC / Jun 2019

    Great course!! Thank you!

    - Athens, PA / Jun 2019

    This was a beneficial course for me. It was helpful to hear input regarding swallowing tx for pediatrics, particularly infants. I appreciate the additional suggestions given on the case study questions.

    - Talihina, OK / Jun 2019

    Excellent course!

    - Claremore, OK / Mar 2019

    Really appreciate the thorough feedback given on response questions. Truly made me feel like I have a great grasp on the material. Also enjoyed the videos as part of the learning process. Great course, thank you!

    - Coral Springs, FL / Jan 2019

    Loved the direct interaction with the instructor. What a great learning opportunity. Karin's feedback was direct, supportive and helpful to stretch my thoughts for the best treatment plan possible. Would highly recommend this class!

    - Kihei, HI / Mar 2018

    Loved the course. It re-enforced what I've been doing but also reminded me of items to use. thanks

    - Olathe, KS / Dec 2016

    Another great course helping to solidly my knowledge and skills with NMES! Thank you Kim and Kathy!!

    - Flower Mound, TX / Mar 2016

    I really enjoyed this refresher and have already incorporated strategies into my practice. It is nice to have a course like this because when your first learning about VitalStim it is overwhelming all the information presented to you, but this course has been a great addition having been certified and actually doing NMES for a while. Really enjoyed this!!!

    - Sachse, TX / Jan 2015