Ithaca College

Speech and language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists interested in learning more about improving feeding and swallowing in young children participated in a two-day workshop at Ithaca College. The 51 attendees included clinicians in professional practice in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Ontario, as well as Ithaca College graduate students in speech-language pathology.

The workshop was designed to provide professionals with an introduction to the neurodevelopmental treatment (NDT) approach and its relevance to the assessment and treatment of feeding and swallowing function. Rona Alexander, Ph.D., CCC-SP, a speech-language pathologist from Milwaukee and an internationally renowned speaker, offered a workshop entitled "Introduction to NDT Strategies for the Improvement of Feeding and Swallowing in Children with Neuromotor Involvement." Alexander presented on current theory and principles of NDT, relating their significance to intervention provided for infants and young children.

IC associate professors Luanne Andersson (Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology) and Hélène Larin (Department of Physical Therapy) collaborated with the Division of Graduate and Professional Studies to organize the workshop. CEUs were offered through Ithaca College as well as through the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).

Based on the success of this workshop, plans are to offer similar summer workshops to assist clinicians in SLP, OT, and PT in maintaining the knowledge and skills needed for excellence in today's clinical environments.