First Bite #57 – July 23, 2019

Therapeutic Handling for the Critical Core

(.1 ASHA and AOTA CEUs) For more info, click here.

Course Description

In this episode, Michelle is joined by her mentor, colleague, and “Brother by a Different Mother”, Paul Tardy, OTR/L, of “PT the OT Therapy and Wellness”. Have you ever seen an OT palm a child like a basketball, or bounce them in varying directions on a ball like a wobble head, or seen the kiddo crawling across the floor and observe an OT roll a therapy ball…crash boom bang…right into them and subtlety, or maybe not so subtlety wonder “What in the world are they doing to that kid?!?”. Well, wonder no more! This episode is all about Therapeutic Handling! Paul takes time to explain in detail why handling a pediatric patient in a certain way can reignite, or maybe ignite for the first time, neural connections that encourage the development of a strong core, proper physical alignment, encourage sensory regulation, all of which set a child up for success with life…and for PO intake! Come prepared for the passionate powerhouse that is Paul Tardy OTR/L!

Objective

By the end of this PodCourse, participants will be able to identify and describe:

  • 3 parameters of therapeutic handling.
  • How therapeutic handling correlates to brain input for motor control for speech.
  • How therapeutic handling positively correlates and impacts PO intake.

Co-Presenter

Paul Tardy, OTR/L

Paul and his wife Jennifer are the owners of “PT the OT Therapy and Wellness” established in 2007. He provides home based early intervention OT services to kids throughout The Midlands. Paul grew up in Maine and after high school, he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed Alaska! After serving a four-year tour with the military, he was encouraged to become an occupational therapist by his brother who was studying to be a physical therapist at the time. Paul earned his Bachelor of Science degree as an occupational therapist from the University of New England in 1995.

Paul has 24 years of clinical expertise in a variety of settings using an array of therapeutic applications to include: Sensory Processing/Sensory Integration; NDT (Neuro-developmental Treatment); PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation); Rood Technique; manual therapies; ‘Wilbarger Protocol’, Brain Gym®, ILS(Integrative Listening System); RMTi (Rhythmic Movement Training); The Haller Method / Foundations for Clinical Neuroplasticity; therapeutic feeding and positioning; splinting; wheelchair assessments; assistive technologies and other Durable Medical Equipment; and occupational performance applications.

Paul is a teacher/encourager at his core and is using his education as well as his passion as a consultant to help develop more of a sensory friendly preschool in the area. He also created and developed a sensory gym at a local pediatric therapy company. Currently, Paul’s focus is centered on helping medically fragile children reach their highest functional potential.