Beyond the NICU: Making the Transition Home
As the numbers of infants in the NICU are rising, more therapists are being called on treat our youngest patients, but few community-based therapists know what to expect when given the responsibility for assessing and treating NICU graduates. The purpose of this 7-hour presentation is to assist in multidisciplinary staff training of inpatient discharging therapists, outpatient and home health agency personnel as they care for the rising number of NICU graduates and their families as they are discharged to home. The course will cover issues unique to the preemie and the very sick newborn, exploring ways the therapist can care for the infant, and educate and empower the caregivers as they navigate this difficult transition. Participants will be taught how to read the child’s behavioral cues, integrating this information into both assessment and treatment of feeding and developmental issues and possible resources to access. Through labs, each attendee will practice infant handling and positioning techniques. Finally issues surrounding program implementation including suggested competencies will be discussed based on ASHA, AOTA, and APTA guidelines.
To maximize your time and your learning experience, please have a doll (preferably a soft one or one that is easily moveable), baby blanket, bottle (any type), and a washcloth on hand during the course.
- Explain common issues faced by NICU graduates and their families.
- Discuss therapeutic interventions that can support the NICU graduate’s development.
- Describe specific behavioral approach/avoidance cues displayed by these infants that can be used to support successful nippling and breastfeeding.
- List signs and symptoms of GER and compensatory strategies that might be employed to reduce aversion.
- List core competencies necessary to treat this population.
Agenda:
120 Minutes | Where They Came From
|
15 Minutes | Break |
105 Minutes | Common Developmental Issues
|
60 Minutes | Lunch |
90 Minutes | Feeding Development & Dysphagia
|
15 Minutes | Break |
30 Minutes | GER: Signs/Symptoms & Treatment (Direct and Indirect) |
45 Minutes | Family Issues and supportive strategies |
15 Minutes | Program Implementation Guidelines |
15 Minutes | Q and A |
Duration:
7 hours.
Jennifer Meyer, M.A., CCC-SLP

Disclosures:
Financial:Jennifer Meyer is a co-owner of CEU-Espresso, Inc. and was paid an honorarium for this presentation.
She owns a private practice, Feeding and Dysphagia Resources, P. C. in Denton, TX.
Non-financial:
Jennifer is a personal friend of the developer of the Res-Q Infant Wedge, sometimes mentioned in her presentations.
Content Disclosure:
This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
Partial credit will not be awarded.
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Hello Everyone!
We are SO looking forward to our time with you today for “Beyond the NICU: Making the Transition Home”! Please have a doll, baby bottle, blanket and food/drink ready for the course.
If you haven’t yet, please download handout #1 here to reference during the course.
Jennifer will be introducing herself and giving some pertinent announcements and then getting right into the course starting at 8:00am (Central Time) sharp.
Jennifer will be interacting and answering questions in the Live Chat during the course. You MUST sign in, introduce yourself and post at least 1 comment per hour so that we can verify your attendance.
There is also a quiz. In order to receive your Certificate and be awarded ASHA or AOTA CEUs you must answer 80% of the quiz questions correctly. You’ll find the link to the quiz in the “Lesson Content” section at the bottom of this page.
Can’t wait to see you there!
The Zoom Meeting will open at at 8:30 AM Monday 8/15/2022 and the course will start at 9:00.
Please join early to ensure your tech works and call Jim at 214-334-0443 If you have any technical issues.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83329832109?pwd=NGE0MUlDWWRZSmxKTE5NaVVPYXAxZz09Meeting ID: 833 2983 2109
Passcode: 463443