A Three Part Treatment Plan

Course Outline

This introductory course to OPT (Oral Placement Therapy)™ is the foundation for TalkTools training and is integrated throughout many of our courses. OPT is a type of oral-motor therapy that targets specific movements needed for speech and feeding. This therapy has been found to be particularly effective for clients who are not responding to traditional therapy and may need additional input.
The “3 parts” of OPT are:

1. speech
2. feeding
3. sensory — this “part” is what sets our therapy approach from traditional approaches.
   OPT combines the senses traditional speech therapy relies on — auditory and visual — with tactile, proprioceptive and interoceptive sensory systems.
   TalkTools® training applies a unique, hierarchical approach, where activities and goals build upon each other, resulting in a measurable, results-driven path both therapists and clients across all ages and diagnoses with the goal of:
   • speech clarity
   • improved feeding
   • independence
   • improved QUALITY OF LIFE
   This interactive, hands-on course includes highly motivating activities that concentrate on the WHOLE child: the orofacial region, (jaw, lips and tongue), the sensory system, posture, abdominal strength, tone, seating, and fascia. Techniques learned can be readily implemented across many therapy environments — private practices, hospitals, schools and home.
   This interactive, hands-on course includes highly motivating activities that concentrate on the WHOLE child: the orofacial region, (jaw, lips and tongue), the sensory system, posture, abdominal strength, tone, seating, and fascia. Techniques learned can be readily implemented across many therapy environments — private practices, hospitals, schools and home.

Course Learning Objectives

• Appropriately assess oral placement/feeding/speech problems based on muscle systems.
• Integrate hierarchies for motor dissociation and grading (jaw-lips-tongue).
• Plan programs of therapeutic intervention to address physiological and motor-based speech disorders.
• Be able to apply at least 10 new therapy techniques.
• Properly use oral placement techniques to improve individual speech clarity and production.

Course Instructor

Renee Roy Hill is a speech and language pathologist with 25 years of professional experience. She is past clinical director of Sara Rosenfeld-Johnson & Associates, in Tucson AZ and currently has a private practice, Crossroads Therapy Clinic, in New Braunfels, TX where she provides therapeutic, assessment and program planning for adults and children; many with Down Syndrome; who have oral-placement, feeding and motor speech deficits. She is a Certified Orofacial Myologist working with clients with, myofunctional deficits effecting sleep, breathing, oral rest posture and oral development.

Renee is an national and international lecturer for professional enhancement courses as part of TalkTools® instructor team, author of the TalkTools® Apraxia Kit, Early Communication and Schedule Board Program, co-author of Ice Sticks and other TalkTools products. She presents one- and two-day courses on Oral Placement Therapy techniques, Motor Speech Disorders, and Assessment and Program Plan development and has presented at numerous ASHA state level conventions. She also provides parent/home training seminars to implement home-based oral-motor programs. Renee has been an invited speaker for ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) state conventions and numerous conferences for those with Down Syndrome, Moebius and Spinal Muscular Atrophy. She has is on the Medical Advisory Board for Moebius Syndrome. The classes she provides are approved for ASHA and AOTA CEUs, which include:

“Level 1: A Three-Part Treatment Plan for Oral-Motor Therapy”
“Oral-Motor Speech Disorders: Assessment and Program Plan Development”
“CAS or Something Else? Differential Diagnosis and Applied Treatment”
“Taking your client with ASD from non-vocal to verbal”
“Drinking, Eating and Swallowing: A Global Approach to Assessment and Treatment”

She has professional affiliations with ASHA, the Texas Speech-Language and Hearing Association and is licensed in both Texas and Florida. Renee Currently sits on the Advisory Board for the Oral Motor Institute.

Renee holds degrees from the University of Alabama and has received special training in speech/oral-placement/feeding therapy, Apraxia, sensory processing disorders, Hannen courses, NDT training, Certification in Orofacial Myology, Certified Lactation Counselor, MDTP, Vital Stim and PROMPT Level 1 & 2 Training.

Terms and Conditions
– Registration will be confirmed only upon receiving invoice or full payment.
– If the participant is absent without valid reason or without supporting document, full course fees will be charged with no refund