Testimonial:
“I recommend that anyone who is looking to bring in a great speaker and trainer for workshops should hire Kristen Birkmeier. She’s easy to work with and always provides great hands-on instruction during the labs. Attendees always have favorable reviews for Kristen’s training sessions.”
Lana Phillips – Continuing Education Coordinator
1. “An Introduction to NDT: Assessing, Treating, and Managing the Child with Neurological Involvement”
(this can be presented in a 2- or 3 day format and can be co-taught with either or both an OT and SLP). This workshop is designed for the PT, PTA, OT, COTA, and SLP who works with the 3-10 year old child with neurological involvement and desires to learn the NDT best practice approach to treatment. The participants will learn how to specifically address the underlying sensorimotor impairments that their clients present in order to minimize their functional limitations and achieve positive functional outcomes in a timely manner. Format includes lecture/discussion, and videotape presentations, lab sessions, and daily treatment demonstrations that can be concurrent for different disciplines if more than one instructor teaches the workshop. Maximum class size is approximately 40 participants if labs desired.
2. “Intermediate Level NDT Workshop: Optimizing Treatment of the Young Child with Cerebral Palsy or Other Neurological Involvement”
(this can be presented in a 2- or 3-day format). Selected topics are presented at a higher (more advanced) level than presented in the “Introduction” course. Format includes lecture/discussion, videotape presentations, and lab sessions (depending on size of audience). Treatment demonstrations are scheduled for each day. Maximum class size is approximately 40 participants if labs desired.
3. “Optimizing Treatment of the Infant and Toddler”
(this 1- or 2-day workshop is focused on assessment and treatment of the Birth-to-3 year population with neurological involvement. Format includes lecture/discussion, videotape, lab sessions, and treatment demonstrations. Participants are asked to bring soft dolls of 30”. Maximum class size is approximately 40 participants if labs desired.
Course #1, #2, or #3 can be presented in conjunction with either or both OT and SLP disciplines added to the PT as described above. This would entail expanded information presented regarding fine motor/adaptive behavior as well as respiration, rib cage, and oral motor development in addition to the gross motor information. The treatment demonstrations (live or video) would then be concurrent as presented by PT, OT, and/or SLP in different rooms so that application of the didactic information is pertinent to the participant. Lab sessions can also be designed to be held concurrently rather than all participants in a large group session. Class size is limited to 40.
“I enjoyed today’s workshop. Kristen is always an excellent presenter. I try to go to any of her courses because I think she is such a good teacher & instructor.You should always go whenever you get the chance. She’s an excellent instructor.”
Lynn Rupert – Pediatric Physical Therapist
4. “Focus on Treatment”
(this is presented in a 1-day format). This workshop is designed for the therapists (PT, OT, and SLP) who treat children with neuromotor dysfunction and would like to have individualized assistance in regard to the more challenging children on their caseload. Participants are asked to identify a challenging child who demonstrates neurological involvement and invite their caregiver(s) to have the child participate in the demonstration sessions. Prior to the workshop, the instructor will select four (4) children from those identified by participating therapists, and these children will come in for individual assessment/treatment demonstrations during the workshop. Each assessment/demonstration will be followed by a discussion focused on identifying the child’s functional abilities and limitations, critical underlying sensorimotor impairments, functional goal setting, and treatment planning to achieve positive functional outcomes. Class size is limited to 16 – 20 participants or taught specifically for a multidisciplinary facility staff.
5. “Using Balls and Bolsters to Help Kids Learn Better Balance”
(this can be presented in a 1-day format). Practical information includes development of postural control, assessment and treatment for postural alignment, trunk mobility, and postural control. Lab sessions are focused on the therapeutic use of moveable surfaces (e.g. therapy balls and bolsters) to assist the child in developing postural control. Class size is limited to 24 to allow for afternoon lab session using large therapy balls and bolsters.
6. “The Pediatric Foot: Assessment and Orthosis Fabrication”
(this is presented in a 1-day format with practical hands on fabricating). Didactic information includes typical/atypical musculo-skeletal development, physical assessment, manual treatment of the LE and foot, and orthotic fabrication using J&J Casting Tape. Class size is limited to 24 participants.
7. “An Introduction to Early Intervention Therapy for the Special Educator”
(this can be presented in a 1 or 2-day format). The instructor will cover such topics as typical/atypical development as they relate to the development of postural control; the primary problems, major treatment considerations, and specific treatment strategies used to assist the infant and young child with neurological involvement in the achievement of positive functional outcomes. Special handling strategies will be demonstrated that are applicable within the natural environment and daycare setting. Instruction will include lecture, discussion, videotape presentations, and lab sessions. Class size is limited to 40 participants.
8. “Helping Kids with Special Needs Reach for the Stars”
(this can be presented in a 1-day format and can be co-taught with a social worker). This is a workshop designed for the child’s caregivers (parents, foster parents, grandparents, older siblings, etc.) and the professional (PT, PTA, OT, COTA, SLP, RN, MD, Special Educator, etc.) who is interested in learning how to collaborate more positively and effectively to assist the child with special needs in achieving optimal functional outcomes. The workshop will cover an in-depth discussion of the normal process of grieving that parents go through in order for the professional caregivers to better understand and collaborate with them. In addition, special attention will focus on the assessment and treatment planning process, as well as strategies that nurture and empower parents and other caregivers to partnership in the therapeutic intervention process. The workshop format will include lecture and discussions, videotape presentation, group problem solving session, and facilitated group discussion/interaction. Class size is not limited.
“The part of the workshops that I like the best are the hands-on demonstrations. I love that she brought a child into the discussion today so that we actively see her assessing the childs mobility and then addressing any tightness the child showed in actual, playful activities the child enjoyed.”
Laurie Vreeman – Physical Therapist