Friday Keynote Speaker
Ginny Stoffel OT, PhD, BCMH, FAOTA
“Moving Forward Into Leadership”

This year, NHOTA is proud to present Dr. Ginny Stoffel, OT, PhD, BCMH, FAOTA as our keynote speaker. Dr. Stoffel is Vice-President of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) as well as associate professor and chair of the Occupational Science & Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

A published scholar, her research interests include mental health, substance abuse and leadership. Dr. Stoffel is a scientist at the Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has served in various leadership roles for occupational therapy at both the state and national levels and has chaired the Board for Mental Health America of Wisconsin. Central to Dr. Stoffel's professional service is her leadership development with AOTA's Emerging Leadership Development Program as well as working with practitioners across the span of their careers to develop leadership.

This presentation will help you blend knowledge into practice and inspire you to be a leader in your profession! Moving forward implies a dynamic path of career and professional development--- and the AOTA Centennial Vision provides a complex common pathway that invites all OT and OTA practitioners to share their talents and accomplishments. Whether your contributions are towards promoting public awareness of occupational therapy, adding and applying science and evidence to our practice, helping to create a diverse and globally connected workforce, or finding creative ways to meet society's occupational needs, you will mark your efforts towards reaching the Centennial Vision.

Identify your own leadership capacities and recognize them in your OT colleagues-- celebrate the OT Champions in New Hampshire, and know that our profession needs each and every practitioner to make a difference in creating lives that are lived to their fullest!

The following conference outline is as follows:

• 7:30 am-8:30 am: Registration. Networking, Breakfast
• 8:00 am-8:30 am: Business Meeting (NHOTA members only!) (members who attend earn 0.5 Contact Hour)
• 8:30 am-9:00 am: Welcome! Presented by NHOTA President Janet Wright
• 9:00-10:00: Dr. Ginny Stoffel, our Keynote Speaker (1.0 Contact Hour)
• 10:00 am-10:30 am: Break ----- Visit our vendors!
• 10:30 pm-12:30 pm: Morning Session Choose from sessions A-D (2. 0 Contact Hour)
• 12:30 pm-1:30 pm: Lunch You may join our Lunch and Learn Session and learn about current legislative issues. (Optional: Earn 1.0 Contact Hour) OR enjoy a social networking lunch in a private room.
  
• 1:30 pm-2:00pm: Awards/Elections/Raffle
• 2:00 pm-4:00pm: Afternoon Session Choose from sessions E-G (2.0 Contact Hour)
• 4:00 pm: Friday Conference Ends

Friday attendees can earn up to 5.5 contact hours at this event.

The following description of morning and afternoon sessions are for Friday October 15th, 2010.  Morning and afternoon sessions will be 2 hours in length.  When registering please list first and second choice for both the morning and afternoon session.

Friday Morning Sessions

1. “Using the Wii With All Ages” - Presented by Mary Forbes COTA/L
   
   Mary is a certified occupational therapy assistant in the Inter-Lakes School District. She has worked in the school settings since 1996. Her caseload currently has an age span of pre-school to middle school students whom have many diverse types of disabilities. Mary has volunteered her time as co-chair of the pediatric special interest section at NHOTA for the past nine years.
   
   
2. “Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Cognitive Assessment” - Presented by Donna Beaudin OTR/L, CBIST, NHA
   
   Donna is an Occupational Therapist with 23 years experience in rehabilitation. Donna has worked in acute inpatient rehabilitation, sub-acute rehabilitation, outpatient and home care environments. Over the last 16 years she has been responsible for development and oversight of various programs, processes, accreditations (including CARF, TJC and CMS) and education including Brain Injury and Cognitive Rehabilitation, Education and Development of Clinical Skills, Certifying Staff in Brain Injury Rehabilitation and the development and execution of Clinical Competencies for OTs, PTs and Speech Language Pathologists. Currently, she is managing programs, accreditation, network development and compliance for Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital.
   
   This session will discuss the importance for forming a solid foundation in ourselves and our therapy extenders as critical thinkers in order to make the necessary decisions as it relates to executing a cognitive rehabilitation program for the patients we serve. The critical thinking process, the clinical reasoning/rationale process and the cognitive assessment process will be addressed including functional examples. It is recommended to attend course G for pm session to build upon concepts presented.
   
   Course Objectives
   1. To describe the theoretical foundations for critical thinking and the clinical reasoning process.
   2. To describe the reasoning process as it related to assessment and treatment
   3. To explore a process to develop reasoning skills in ourselves
   4. To describe clinical reasoning and critical thinking elements used in cognitive rehabilitation
   5. To describe a frame of reference and some of the models/definitions associated with cognitive rehabilitation.
   6. To describe the processes that make up cognition
   7. To describe the general considerations of assessment of cognitive issues
   8. To describe some of the key elements in cognitive assessment and documentation.
      
      
3. “Introduction to Brain Gym” - Presented by Bonnie Hershey M.Ed.
   
   Bonnie is a licensed Brain Gym® instructor and the director of The Kinesiology Connection. She is a graduate of Ohio State University with a degree in Education and a master’s degree from Lesley University in Creative Arts in Learning. Bonnie taught physical education at the junior high and middle school levels in Newton, MA for 25 years, retiring in 1997 from the public school classroom to devote more time to The Kinesiology Connection.
   
   Brain Gym® is an educational program which uses simple, intentional movements to support learning in children and adults. Brain Gym® is based upon 80 years of research by educational professionals, developmental optometrists, and other developmental specialists. It consists of simple movements that children naturally do to accomplish important developmental steps for coordination of eyes, ears, hands, and the whole body. These movements have been shown to prepare children with the physical skills needed in the classroom.
   
   
4. “Reframing Stress Management” - Presented by Barbara Prudhomme White OTR/L, PhD and Barbara P. Kresge OTR/L, MS
   
   Stress as a term is overused to the extent that most people are confident that they know what it means. This belief of common understanding extends to practitioners who intervene using cookie-cutter stress reduction techniques across a diversity of clients. However, stress is a much more complex and individualized state that includes personal preferences and a balance of stressors and resources.
   
   The purpose of this short course is to assist practitioners in developing individualized and practical stress management approaches with their clients. We will review basic anatomy and physiology of the stress response system, and its vital function in regulating human adaptive behavior. This includes presenting a perspective of ‘good’ stress as well as ‘maladaptive’ stress, and learning how to identify relative balance based on different contexts and situations. Once practitioners understand how to better recognize signs and symptoms of ‘maladaptive’ stress (AKA chronic stress or allostatic load) they then discuss how to review situational attributes such as the freedom to choose lifestyle and work activities, preferences, and other resources. Participants will discuss how to incorporate ‘stress profile’ development as a way to approach the selection of stress management techniques. Options for stress management will be discussed and include a diverse repertoire of occupations extending far beyond yoga and meditation. Successful stress management depends on developing an intervention plan that weaves into typical routines, activities and occupations and that fits each individual’s attributes and preferences, much like lifestyle design for long term weight management.
   
   This short course is applicable for practitioners in all areas of practice, but particularly helpful to those working with persons who have chronic disability, cardiac disease, metabolic disorders (including diabetes types 1 & 2), chronic pain, and immune system dysfunction (e.g. autoimmune disorders such as MS, Lupus, etc.). The presenters will give examples about how this approach can be applied in a variety of settings from traditional to emerging practice areas, and facilitate problem solving discussions with participants.
   
   Course Objectives
   1. Recognize both positive and negative aspects of human stress.
   2. Identify an individualized approach to stress assessment and intervention.
   3. Identify a paradigm shift that allows for incorporating stress management into natural life activities.

Friday Afternoon Sessions

5. “Using the Wii in Therapy For All Ages” - Presented by Mary Forbes COTA/L
   
   This workshop is repeated from the morning session to offer more attendees the chance to participate in this popular session.
   
   Mary is a certified occupational therapy assistant in the Inter-Lakes School District. She has worked in the school settings since 1996. Her caseload currently has an age span of pre-school to middle school students whom have many diverse types of disabilities. Mary has volunteered her time as co-chair of the pediatric special interest section at NHOTA for the past nine years.
   
   
6. “Developmental Milestones: Vision and Development” - Presented by Dr. Amy Pruszenski O.D.
   
   When vision does not develop properly it can interfere with overall development and result in learning difficulties, as well as problems with ADL. During this program, Dr. Pruszenski will be explaining the different developmental milestones that are impacted by vision development and what can be done when vision does not develop properly. In addition, Dr. Pruszenski will discuss how retained primitive reflexes can impact visual development and performance. This information is helpful for OT clients of all ages.
   
   Course Objectives
   1. The early indicators of vision disorders
   2. At what ages to start looking for vision problems
   3. The developmental milestones that impact vision
   4. When to do OT first and when it is appropriate to refer for Optometric Vision Therapy
      
   
   
7. “Cognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation in Occupational Practice for Adults” - Presented By Doug Simmons OTR/L, PhD
   
   This session will build on the earlier session presented by Donna Beaudin on the importance of executing a cognitive rehabilitation program that is evidence-based and occupationally grounded. The responsibility of occupational therapists in cognitive assessment and intervention will be defined through the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework. The evolving Dynamic Interactional Approach (Toglia, 2003) and the Information Processing work of Neistadt (1992) will be described allowing for the exploration of executive functioning, a critical cognitive determinant of occupational performance. A key focus of these two models is that cognition is not divided into separate sub skills but rather analyzed according to underlying strategies, ability to monitor performance and potential for learning during occupational engagement. To allow application of this knowledge participants will be introduced to the Executive Function Performance Test (Baum, et al., 2008), Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota (Rustad, et al., 1993) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Nasreddine, et al., 2005), three assessments that follow the principles of the discussed models, and discuss application of assessments for practice. Finally, a review of the Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury will provide the most current research evidence related to occupational therapy intervention in cognitive rehabilitation.  
   
   Course Objectives
   1. Describe the responsibility of occupational therapy practice in assessment and intervention in cognitive rehabilitation.
   2. Understand occupational therapy’s unique contribution to assessment and intervention for occupational performance deficits related to cognitive functioning.
   3. Describe aspects of the Dynamic Interactional Approach to Cognitive Rehabilitation
   4. Describe aspects of the Information Processing Model to Cognitive Rehabilitation.
   5. Understand the utility of the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT) in guiding occupational therapy intervention in cognitive rehabilitation and reporting functional outcomes.
   6. Understand the utility of the Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota (CAM) in guiding occupational therapy intervention in cognitive rehabilitation and reporting functional outcomes.
   7. Understand the utility of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for assessment of mild cognitive injury/deficits.
   8. Practice the use of the Occupational Therapy Practice Guideline as a resource for cognitive rehabilitation.
      
      
8. "Productive Aging through Health and Wellness: the Prevention of Disease and Disability" - Presented by Jennifer Saylor B.S., M.Ed.
   
   Occupational Therapy practitioners are leaders in guiding our clients through the productive aging process by following a model of health and wellness.  Through this model, the participant will explore the prevention of disease and disabilities of our in ever growing aging population. Case studies and clinical examples will be examined to explore this emerging practice area.
   
   Jennifer is the Program Director and Professor of Occupational Therapy Assistant program at River Valley Community College in Claremont New Hampshire.

Following Friday’s conference join us in The Opechee Inn and Spa Lounge for networking 4-6pm.
Hope to see you there!

Saturday
October 16, 2010
9:00am-12:30pm

This year we offer 2 events at a cost that is less than most one day conferences! This Saturday workshop will be held in the same beautiful spot at Opechee Inn in Laconia. It is an intermediate course with 3.5 hours of instructional time. The day includes parking and a continental breakfast.

Presenters Janet Stafford OTR/L, MS and Heather Vasilopoulous MS, OTR/L are national speakers as well as residents of New Hampshire. This workshop teaches techniques to use with clients of all ages!

The following conference outline is as follows:

• 9:00 am: Registration & Continental Breakfast
• 9:00 am-12:30 pm: Sensory Processing Across the Life Span - Presented by Janet Wright OTR/L and Heather Vasilopoulos MS, OTR/L

Janet Wright OTR/L, MS and Heather Vasilopoulos MS, OTR/L review the neurology and etiology behind normal sensory processing and discuss sensory pathology across the lifespan. Participants will leave with new techniques and clinical applications to utilize with clients who present with sensory disorders. You will leave with a renewed sense of understanding how to apply effective techniques for sensory processing issues with clients of all ages.  Well worth the second trip to Laconia or staying Friday night at the Inn!

If you have any questions regarding this year's Annual NHOTA Conference or would like to know how you can support your organization and attend next year's conference at no charge, email MaryJane Stenslie, conference coordinator at vicepresident@nhota.org

Looking forward to seeing you there!

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Friday Only Friday Only (Registering after 9/17) Friday & Satruday Friday & Saturday (Registering after 9/17) NHOTA members rate: OT & OTA $135 $160 $170 $190 NHOTA member rate: student and retiree $80 $105 $115 $135 Non member rate: OT & OTA $195 $220 $240 $260 Non member rate: student and retiree $125 $150 $160 $180

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• Registration fee refunds available only before 10/1/10, minus a $20 processing fee.  Maximum 50% refund provided after 10/1/10 upon review and agreement of NHOTA conference committee.