YOU ASKED… WE LISTENED!

In a recent customer needs survey conducted by TalkTools, we learned that many of you are interested in learning about pediatric dysphagia.

Until now, our dysphagia workshop, instructed by Colette Ellis, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, has focused on the older child through geriatric population. After a thorough restructuring, our dysphagia workshop will now focus on pediatric dysphagia, while still addressing the adult population.

The new workshop is entitled Pediatric and Adult Dysphagia: Do You Know Your “Swallowology?” It is a live, two-day workshop. You will earn 1.2 ASHA/AOTA approved CEUs.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

TalkTools dysphagia expert, Colette Ellis, will be delving into one of the most basic, but also one of most complex, human reflexes: swallowing — and how atypical or dysfunctional swallowing can significantly impact other basic human activities such as drinking, eating and speaking — and overall quality of life.

Day 1 will focus on understanding the 4 stages of typical swallowing and what happens when one or more of these stages fails to take place properly — which many times can be considered dysphagia. Instruction will include key terms, definitions and the latest research to ensure speech and feeding professionals are equipped with the necessary information on this topic. Identifying the differences in pediatric and adult dysphagia through case studies will be outlined.

Day 2 will look at how to recognize, plan for and treat swallowing disorders in pediatric clients. Assessment and treatment tools and strategies will be provided, so participants are prepared to integrate the knowledge and tools learned to properly identify, recommend and implement appropriate treatment for their pediatric dysphagia clients.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participants will be able to:

1. Understand what is considered typical and atypical swallowing function.
2. Recognize 4 causes of pediatric dysphagia.
3. Identify the speech and feeding professional therapist role as part of the pediatric swallowing and feeding team.
4. Conduct and present a basic swallowing and feeding assessment.
5. Apply 3 therapeutic techniques to facilitate improved feeding and swallowing function and safety.

UPCOMING DATES & LOCATIONS

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Colette Ellis, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, BCS-S is a speech-language pathologist with over 38 years of clinical experience, holding Board Certification in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, and is a member of the TalkTools® speakers bureau. She is the owner of 29th Street Therapy Center, and the lead clinician for Grady Memorial Hospital, both in Chickasha, Oklahoma.  She has recently launched a mobile FEES (fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) service to better serve patients and families who may not have access to specialized swallowing and voice diagnostics, (Advanced Diagnostics: Swallowing & Voice Specialists).

She received her Bachelors of Science and Masters of Education in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Oklahoma. Colette specializes in the evaluation and treatment of feeding, swallowing, voice, neurogenic, cognitive and oral placement disorders (OPT) of all ages.  Her areas of expertise include dysphagia, voice disorders, TBI (traumatic brain injury), and OPT. Colette has specialized training in speech/oral sensory-motor/feeding therapy, aphasia, apraxia, aqua therapy, Beckman techniques, MBSImP, video-stroboscopy, and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). She is fluent in French, and has been invited to speak at numerous conferences and seminars across the United States and internationally. She teaches classes on sensory-motor feeding and swallowing disorders for ASHA and AOTA CEUs.