Upcoming Events

SAOT – Psycho-Sensory Processing Intervention

Hotel Ruby Foo's - Montreal, QB 7655 bl. Décarie, Montreal, QB, Canada

This three-day workshop will provide an integrated theoretical connection about the neurological interplay between attachment, developmental trauma and sensory processing issues. Participants will develop an understanding of the use of relational attunement as a regulatory influence that supports and stabilizes the arousal and sensory processing systems. This workshop will uniquely blend the integration of attunement skills with sensory processing intervention. Therapists, teachers, and parents will learn how to put these two distinct interventions together as a mechanism for the development of self-regulation and mental health function. A combination of theory and practical trauma interventions will emphasize compassionate dialoguing skills, sensory strategies, postural control and movement techniques together with attachment theory and therapeutic relational process work. Learning will be facilitated through lecture, story-telling, group problem-solving from case examples, role plays and active reflection.

SAOT – Decoding Autism

Maple Leaf Room, Lister Centre 11613-87Ave NW Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H6 Canada Maple Leaf Room, Lister Centre 11613-87Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Presented by: Kim Barthel, BMR, OTR, C/NDT
A presentation of pioneering research in the neurobiology of autism with treatment strategies supporting people who work with individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Topics explored will include epigenetics, the immune system, sensory contributions, functional movement, complex behaviour and co-regulation. Whether you are an educator, therapist of any kind, psychologist, physician, caregiver or keen parent, you will develop a deeper understanding of the brain-body science of ASD, and develop evidence-informed treatment and holistic therapy choices across a wide range of possibilities.

Learning outcomes:
Upon completion of the workshop, participants will:

Have an introductory understanding of the current science of genetic and environmental interaction in the development of ASD;
Have an introductory appreciation of the immune system’s effect upon the brain and the behavior of individuals with autism;
Understand how the neurological wiring of autism impacts attention span, self-regulation, learning and behavior;
Appreciate the sensory contributions of challenges experienced by individuals with ASD;
Appreciate the functional movement challenges experienced by individuals with ASD;
Discuss effective and sustainable teaching, therapy and day-to-day strategies that support individuals with ASD to be their best selves through a relational, sensory and motor lens.
Who should attend?
Therapists (OTs, PTs & SLPs), teachers, allied educators (in mainstream or special needs settings), psychologists, psychiatrists, group home staff, caregivers and keen family members.

Kim Barthel, BMR, OTR, C/NDT is a world-renowned speaker, teacher, occupational therapist and author, actively supporting multi-disciplinary function and healing in many cultures. A pioneer in reinforcing the importance of relationship, she is known for blending cutting-edge developments in neuroscience with the art of compassionate inquiry. With 35+ years as an OT, Kim’s specialties include Autism, Neuro-Developmental Treatment, Sensory Processing, Complex Behaviour, Mental Health, Trauma Informed Practice, and Attachment.

$245.00 – $445.00

SAOT – FMT BLADES & BLADES ADVANCED -RED DEER, AB- APRIL 25-26

The Forum 232 Spruce St #105, Red Deer, AB, Canada

Until now, choices were limited if you wanted to learn how instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) could integrate into your patient/athlete care. You had to buy expensive tools and attend an expensive class that locked you into one way of utilizing IASTM. Not anymore.
The term IASTM or “Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation” is commonly paired with the image of steel tools and deep tissue work that can cause redness and bruising on the skin. FMT IASTM certification courses introduce the concept of movement therapy and performance enhancement with gentle soft tissue techniques. Some of the tools may be hard-edged, but the techniques don’t need to be aggressive to deliver superior patient outcomes. There are many forms of ‘instruments or tools’ that can assist your manual therapy skills and save your hands! You don’t have to buy an expensive set of tools and attend a class that locks you into one way of utilizing IASTM on your patients or athletes.

FMT IASTM Certification courses are led by industry leading experts in movement assessment and therapy AND you get to keep the tools you use in the class.

FMT IASTM Certifications are intended for healthcare professionals, therapists and fitness professionals with all levels of experience with soft tissue techniques. CEUs may be offered for DC, ATC, PT, LMTs, LAc, OTs and personal trainers – depending on location and class type. FMT Certified professionals receive an additional 10% discount on purchases after taking a class.

FMT Blades – IASTM Certification

FMT BLADES introduces the concept of movement therapy and performance enhancement via Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). The FMT Blades certification will review screening dysfunctional movement patterns and utilizing soft tissue tools to improve patient outcomes. The anatomy, physiology and neurology of myofascial soft tissue work is covered. IASTM intervention strategies will also be combined with kinesiology taping and corrective exercise techniques to deliver a comprehensive approach to patient care. workshop, hands-on environment. This course is intended for practitioners and therapists with all levels of experience with soft tissue techniques.

*We recommend buying the ROCKBLADES 2.0 – COMPLETE SOFT TISSUE IASTM SYSTEM with this course.

**If taking both days we recommend buying both Rockblades 2.0 and Mohawk. SEE OPTIONS IN THE MULTIPLE CHOICE MENU.

FMT Blades Advanced – IASTM Certification

FMT Blades Advanced introduces the concept of skin/fascial/nerve gliding and neuro-sensory pain* modulation via Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. The tools may be hard-edged, but the techniques don’t need to be aggressive to deliver superior patient outcomes. The anatomy, physiology and neurology of myofascial soft tissue work is covered, along with a review of the concept of interlayer connective tissue gliding using a rubber sleeve for added tissue traction FMT Blades Advanced also addresses pain* modulation via specific mechano-reception stimulation using the novel hair comb attachment. This course is intended for practitioners and therapists with a more advanced understanding of soft tissue techniques.

*We recommend buying the ROCKBLADES – MOHAWK – ATTACHMENT-COMPATIBLE IASTM SYSTEM with this course.

**If taking both days we recommend buying both Rockblades 2.0 and Mohawk. SEE OPTIONS IN THE MULTIPLE CHOICE MENU.

$300.00 – $600.00

NorQuest International Health Careers Challenge

NorQuest College - Singhmar Centre for Learning - Atrium 10215 108 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The Faculty of Health & Community Studies at NorQuest College is very excited to be hosting the inaugural NorQuest International Health Careers Challenge, “Strength Through Collaboration”.

This three-day event will see teams of students from Alberta and China working collaboratively together to compete in various health-related scenarios. These teams will be evaluated on their skills, and also their team spirit, collaborative nature, and leadership competencies, all while learning about each other’s cultural expectations of health care and education.

Functional Cognition: Cognitive Rehabilitation Assessment and Intervention Methods

Hotel Clique Calgary Airport 24 Aero Cres NE, T2E 7Y5, Calgary, AB, Canada

We are offering a two day course with Joan Toglia on June 4 and 5, 2020 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We are holding the course at Hotel Clique at the Airport to make it accessible for attendees from the Western Provinces. I will include the information and links for the course below.

Joan Toglia - Functional Cognition: Cognitive Rehabilitation Assessment and Intervention Methods

Instructor: Joan Toglia PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Dates: Thursday, June 4 – Friday, June 5, 2020

Location: Hotel Clique Calgary Airport

Cost: $650. + GST (5%) Early Bird Rate, $700. + GST (5%) after May 1, 2020 Price includes handouts, breakfast, breaks and lunches. A block of rooms will be held at the Hotel Clique Calgary Airport until May 14, 2020. Please call and book your accommodation: (403) 460 9588 (front desk). Code to quote: 0604MW or under group name MindWorks.

The Rachel Thibeault series ‘Pathways to Resilience’

This five-module webinar series on resilience is a valued resource for those going through rough times and those providing support through rough times. The ultimate goal is to offer tools which, once embedded in daily life, allow us to better cope with the hardship inherent to life. A Live Q&A session on June 10th completes the series!

All five modules are now available, in both English and French, at no cost and with no registration, as a special gift to the profession of occupational therapy:

Overview of resilience training
Prerequisites and Foundations of Resilience
The compassion protocol
Managing emotions
Intentional activities
Q& A with Rachel Thibeault
Wednesday June 10, 2020 1:00pm EDT- registration required

We invite you to a live Q&A Session with Rachel Thibeault! This is an opportunity for you to address questions, challenges and barriers that you may be facing in applying the knowledge from this webinar series into your practice.

Presenter: Rachel Thibeault, O.C., Ph.D, FCAOT.

An occupational therapist who also holds a Ph.D. in psychology, Rachel specializes in Community-Based Rehabilitation, psychological resilience, and peer support in vulnerable populations. For the past 40 years, as a clinician or as part of her teaching and research career at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa, Rachel has worked worldwide in complex contexts such as war zones and hard-to-access areas. In 2002, she received the CAOT Muriel Driver Award. In 2013, she was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of Canada and, in 2015, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Society of International Health and an Honorary Degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Now a consultant on resilience and psychological wellbeing, she provides training in a broad range of settings, from medical agencies and governmental organizations to student bodies and cancer groups, to name a few.