Post-Professional Pediatric Certificate

The Department of Occupational Therapy is proud to offer the Post Professional Certificate in Pediatrics for practicing occupational, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists. The program began with the first cohort of students in the summer 2003 term.

We are currently accepting on-line applications!
Click on the image below to access the application form.

SLP Pediatric Certificate - Summary of Classes

Summer 2013

Fall 2013

Post-professional Pediatric Certificate

This program is offered by the occupational therapy department. Students and therapists from other disciplines, especially physical therapy, speech and language pathology and nursing may find these courses relevant and are encouraged to apply. The program is for occupational therapists at a post baccalaureate level that would like to advance their clinical knowledge in pediatric practice. The certificate is a series of six 3-credit graduate courses. There is one required course (HP 600 Advanced Practice Pediatric Issues and Trends ) and five courses that are chosen by each student on an individual basis. For those students who may wish to continue on to the Post Professional Masters degree program, it is recommended that HP 670 Grant Writing be taken as one of the elective courses. The program is offered in a flexible format for working professionals, primarily in distance formats with short on campus experiences during some weekend "launch" days. There are also some hands-on clinical courses offered in a three to five-day intensive format. Students can choose the courses that meet their needs both clinically and personally. Classes may also be taken individually for continuing education.

The Pediatric Certificate coursework is transferable in varying degrees to the post-professional masters and occupational therapy doctoral requirements. Students who have completed the Pediatric Certificate are eligible for the alumni discount for either of these post-professional programs. Students entering the post-professional master’s degree can apply the entire 18 credits of the certificate to the 30 credit post professional master’s degree program. Students entering the occupational therapy doctoral program after completing the pediatric certificate can apply 6 elective credits to the doctoral program, and will be waived from taking OTD 620 Analysis of Theories. If a student has applied coursework from the Certificate to the requirements for the Post Professional Masters, they may not apply any of that coursework to the requirements for the Occupational Therapy Doctorate.

These new requirements will be applicable to any students beginning their Pediatric Certificate Coursework in Fall 2013 or later. Students who have applied to and have commenced coursework for the Pediatric Certificate in earlier semesters will complete the Certificate according to prior requirements.

Course Offerings for Pediatric Certificate
Fall	Spring	Summer
HP 650 Early Intervention OT 625 Adolescent & Early Adulthood Issues in Autism OT 635 Assistive Technology	HP 630 Childhood Development in an International Setting OT 645 Vision Rehab HP 615 Treatment & Evaluation of Pediatric Feeding Issues HP 660 Autism and PDD	HP 600 Pediatric Issues and Trends HP 635 School Based Practice HP 655 Seating in Pediatric Practice HP 625 Sensory Integration Treatment and Evaluation

HP 600: Advanced Practice Pediatric Issues and Trends
Course Description: This course is designed to explore the most recent issues and trends in the area of pediatric occupational and physical therapy. The course will focus on evidence-based practice, mentorship and leadership, and community based practice within the current profession of the student. The students will apply the course content to their clinical and professional practice settings through course assignments. It will be offered primarily in a distance-learning format with two weekends of on campus experiences. Semester offered: Summer –meets one day on campus.
Semester offered: Summer –meets one day on campus

HP 605: Pediatric Evaluation
Course Description: This course is designed to provide students with an intermediate to advanced level understanding of the process of pediatric evaluation in occupational therapy. The course will focus on the full process of occupational therapy evaluation including referral sources, identifying appropriate evaluation tools, clinical observations, standardized assessment, report writing, evaluation accommodations, and the reporting of assessment results.
Semester offered: Fall- meets 2 days on campus, at beginning and end of class

HP 615: Treatment and Evaluation of Pediatric Feeding Issues
Course Description: This course provides an extensive overview of evaluation and treatment of pediatric feeding disorders. The course will focus on oral motor dysfunction, tube-feeding, sensory issues, positioning and handling, and behavioral management related to feeding/eating. Conditions that effect feeding/eating are explored along with medical and therapeutic assessments. The students will apply the course content to their clinical and professional practice settings through course assignments. It will be offered in both an intensive weeklong on-campus format.
Semester offered: Spring- odd years only-3 days on campus followed by distance learning

HP 625: Sensory Integration Treatment and Evaluation
Course Description: This course is designed to provide an extensive overview of sensory integration theory, neurology, evaluation and treatment related to clinical practice for occupational and physical therapists. Sensory integration theory is explored in relationship to function and occupation. The most relevant evaluations and treatment interventions are presented as well as a critical review of effectiveness research in sensory integration. The students will apply the course content to their clinical and professional practice settings through course assignments. This course is offered in a 4-day intensive course format.
Semester offered: Summer-meets 4 days on campus followed by distance learning

OT 625 Adolescent & Early Adulthood Issues in Autism
Course Description: This course investigates the lifespan challenges of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders transitioning through adolescence and participating in life as young adults. The student will participate in an active exploration of issues of the client with autism including: adolescent social and learning abilities, young adult vocational success, adult transition to independent living, and aging impacts. The student will learn how to evaluate and establish community based treatment plans to support adolescent and adult aged clients with autism in attaining and sustaining the most independent living possible. The student will also gain knowledge in establishing clear resource support for their clients in the community.
Semester offered: Fall- distance learning with 1 on campus meeting

HP 630: Childhood Development in an International Setting
Course Description: This course is designed to provide an opportunity to expand clinical knowledge in the areas of early childhood development, psycho-emotional development, and program development, including community needs assessments. The course content and learning will occur in a service learning format, in which students will travel with faculty to Honduras for the primary portion of the course. The most relevant issues in promoting development for institutionalized and post institutionalized children as well as family training for foster care providers are presented with reflection upon existing evidence within the fields of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech language pathology, psychology, and neurodevelopment. The students will apply the course content to their clinical and professional practice settings through course assignments. This course is offered with an online launch, a 10-14 day intensive in country experience, and closes with online course activities.
Spring-on-line and one week in country

HP 635: School Based Pediatric OT & PT
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with intermediate level knowledge related to the provision of best practice occupational therapy services within the educational environment. Practices particularly relevant to the school setting in terms of assessment, individualized educational planning, intervention, re-assessment and discharge will be discussed. Additional course topics will include legislation, service provision models, evidence based practice in the schools, consultation, effective teaming, and advocacy.
Semester Offered: Summer-meets one day on campus followed by distance learning

OT 635 Special topics: Assistive Technology
Course Description: This course is designed to offer therapists and educators a detailed knowledge and skill level in the areas service provision involving the use of Assistive Technology. These can be low or high tech solutions and can impact areas of gross motor, fine motor, speech and language, self-feeding, social/adaptive play skill domains and education/learning. On site classes include experiential lab and introduction to low and high tech devices.
Semester Offered: Fall odd years only-meets one weekend on campus followed by distance learning

OT 645: Vision Rehabilitation
Course Description: This course is designed to provide the OT or PT with an understanding of the basic principles of the visual system and its influences upon daily activities for the pediatric patient. The course will discuss pediatric vision problems and appropriate therapies. After completing this course students will be able to describe key components of the visual system and how they work, understand Binocular vision, how it develops and its effects on ADLs, understand and treat children with binocular vision disorders and gain useful strategies for dealing with children who have learning related vision problems. This course is intended for OT and PTs who will be or who are working with the pediatric population both in an inpatient/outpatient and/or school environment.
Semester offered: Spring odd years only-meets 2 days on campus, at beginning and mid point of class

HP 650: Early Intervention
Course Description: This course is designed to prepare the student to implement the occupational therapy process along with health care needs with children who are from birth to three years of age and to be knowledgeable about factors that affect service delivery. In-class exercises and out-of-class assignments will be provided to improve students’ skills and increase students’ self-confidence with the new content of the course.
Semester offered: Fall even years only-meets one weekend on campus followed by distance learning

HP 660 Autism & PDD: Evaluation & Intervention Strategies
Instructor: Amy Lynch, MS, OTR/L and Amy Henry MS, OTR/L
Course Description: This course is an introduction to the diagnosis and treatment of Autism-spectrum disorders for pediatric therapists. An introduction of the basic information on how these disorders are diagnosed, what comprises the disorders and how to compose an interpretive report of evaluation findings, including a treatment plan with home and school setting strategies is provided.
Semester offered: Spring-meets online

HP 665 Seating in Pediatric Practice
Course Description: This course will assist treating clinicians in increasing their knowledge and skills when using seating strategies for their children. Seating needs for children include safe passive transport within the community and their environment, adequate support for eating, as well as support for independent postural control for task participation. This course will focus on all the needs for seating, including seating needed for postural management of the child, as well as seating for the child’s development of postural control. The course is offered over 8 hours a day for 5 days with assignments due after the ending of the on-campus portion of the class.
Semester Offered: Summer-meets 5 days on campus

Books Are Available Through The Misericordia University Book Store.
To Order By Mail Please Contact
Diane Morreale
AT 570-674-6271.
The Book Store Will Be Open
Saturdays 11AM-1PM
All Classes are 3 graduate credits and require an on-line tutorial for Blackboard Distance Education Tool and on-campus Library Orientation.

Summer 2013

INTERDISCIPLINARY CLASS for OT, PT, SLP

HP 600: Advanced Practice Pediatric Issues and Trends
Course Description: This course is designed to explore the most recent issues and trends in the area of pediatric occupational, physical therapy and speech language pathology. The course will focus on evidence-based practice, mentorship and leadership, and community based practice within the current profession of the student. The students will apply the course content to their clinical and professional practice settings through course assignments. It will be offered primarily in a distance-learning format with two weekends of on campus experiences.
Instructor: Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L

Books:

Buckingham, M. & Clifton, D.O. (2001). Now discover your strengths. New York: The Free Press. ISBN 0-7432-0114-0
Fazio, L. S. (2007). Developing occupational-centered programs for the community: A workbook for students and professionals. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13-083332-0
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.). (2001).Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. ISBN: 1-55798-791-2

ON CAMPUS SATURDAY, June 1, 2013, 8AM-5PM PLUS DISTANCE EDUCATION THROUGH May 20-August 16, 2013

INTERDISCIPLINARY CLASS for OT, PT, SLP

HP 625: Sensory Integration Treatment and Evaluation
Course Description: This course is designed to provide an extensive overview of sensory integration theory, neurology, evaluation and treatment related to clinical practice for occupational, physical therapists and speech language pathologists. Sensory integration theory is explored in relationship to function and occupation. The most relevant evaluations and treatment interventions are presented as well as a critical review of effectiveness research in sensory integration. The students will apply the course content to their clinical and professional practice settings through course assignments. This course is offered in a 4-day intensive course format.
Instructors: Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L and Joan Surfus, OTD, OTR/L

Books:

Ayres, J. (2005). Sensory integration and the child: 25th anniversary edition. Los Angeles CA. Western Psychological Services. 978 087424-437-3
Bundy, A. C., Lane, S. J., & Murray, E. A. (2002). Sensory integration theory and practice (2nd edition). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

CLASS MEETS ON CAMPUS FOUR (4) DAY THURSDAY – SUNDAY 8AM-6PM – AUGUST 1-4, 2013

HP 635: SCHOOL BASED PEDIATRIC OT & PT
Course Description: The purpose of this course is to provide the student with intermediate level knowledge related to the provision of best practice occupational therapy services within the educational environment. Practices particularly relevant to the school setting in terms of assessment, individualized educational planning, intervention, re-assessment and discharge will be discussed. Additional course topics will include legislation, service provision models, evidence based practice in the schools, consultation, effective teaming, and advocacy.
Instructor: Amy Henry, OTD, OTR/L

Books:

“Occupational Therapy Services for Children and Youth Under IDEA, 3rd /edition”
ISBN: 978-1-56900-237-7
Product Type: Book
Year Published: 2007
Publisher: AOTA Press
“Practical Considerations for School-Based Occupational Therapists” (w/CD-ROM) Lynne Pape, MEd, OTR/L and Kelly Ryba, OTR/L
Foreword by Jane Case-Smith, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA
ISBN: 978-1-56900-196-7
Product Type: Book
Year Published: 2004
Publisher: AOTA Press

CLASS MEETS ON CAMPUS SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2013 9AM-5PM PLUS DISTANCE EDUCATION MAY 20- AUGUST 16, 2013

Books:

“Prescriptive Seating for Wheeled Mobility, Vol. 1, Theory, Application and Terminology” By Diane E. Ward, M.Ed., OTR
Published by: Healthwealth International, 517 NW 103 Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33324-1625
www.hlthwlth.com; 954-472-0517
“Pediatric Powered Mobility: Developmental Persepctives, Technical Issues, Clinical Approaches, Edited by Jan Furumasu, PT, Published by RESNA(Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America),1700 N. Moore, ST., Suite 1540, Arlington, VA 22209 www.RESNA.org

CLASS MEETS ON CAMPUS 5 DAYS SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY JULY 20-24, 2013 9AM-6:30PM

Fall 2013

INTERDISCIPLINARY CLASS –OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGISTS
OT 625 (75) Adult Autism
Instructor: Amy Lynch, PhD, OTR/L
Course Description: This course investigates the lifespan challenges of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders transitioning through adolescence and participating in life as young adults. The student will participate in an active exploration of issues of the client with autism including: adolescent social and learning abilities, young adult vocational success, adult transition to independent living, and aging impacts. The student will learn how to evaluate and establish community-based treatment plans to support adolescent and adult aged clients with autism in attaining and sustaining the most independent living possible. The student will also gain knowledge in establishing clear resource support for their clients in the community.

Class meets on campus, October 12, 2013 8am-4pm and online August 27 through December 10, 2013.

HP 610 SPECIAL TOPICS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Instructor: Julie Wells, MS, OTR/L ATP
Course Description: This course is designed to offer therapists and educators a detailed knowledge and skill level in the areas service provision involving the use of Assistive Technology. These can be low or high tech solutions and can impact areas of gross motor, fine motor, speech and language, self-feeding, social/adaptive play skill domains and education/learning. On campus classes include experiential lab and introduction to low and high tech devices.

DISTANCE EDUCATION AUGUST 27 – OCTOBER 10, 2013 FOLLOWED BY ON CAMPUS LAB SUNDAY October 13, 2013 FROM 9AM-5PM.

Application Requirements/Process:
Please contact Larree Brown in our Adult Education Office by E-mail or 866-262-6363 for an application or with your questions. Requirements include:

A Bachelor's degree or higher in occupational or physical therapy from an ACOTE or CAPTE approved program. Send copy of diploma or transcripts.
$ 25.00 Application fee with completed application.
Photocopy of professional state license and registration/certification for occupational, physical therapy, or speech-language pathology.

A Few Highlights:

First program of its kind in the region with portable college credits
Low tuition - only $625.00 per credit - alumni discounts available
Designated specifically for adult learners
Predictable scheduling - classes offered in day, weekend, and via Blackboard format
Financial aid available
Program Length: Can be completed in 15 months or less
Meets NBCOT requirement for a portion of PDU credits

Program Coordinator: Amy Lynch, OTR/L, SCFES

Amy has been practicing with the pediatric population since receipt of her degree from the Boston School of Occupational Therapy at Tuft’s University. She trained initially at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and went on to work at the Ayres Clinic. Her career took her to northern California and Lucile Salter Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University before returning to the east coast to work at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 1998.

Ms. Lynch specializes in post-institutionalization of internationally adopted children, autism and sensory integration problems, feeding/ oral motor dysphagia, and cerebral palsy. She is certified in the Sensory Integration and Praxis Tests (SIPT) and Infant Massage. She has completed her 8 week training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment. Ms. Lynch was the Manager of the OT Department at CHOP for 5 years. She is now works clinically part time at CHOP and has received a doctorate in Biomechanics and Movement Studies, with a concentration in Nutrition at the University of Delaware.

Amy has traveled extensively to Romania, providing training at the county, institution, and foster family levels. Ms. Lynch was a member of the national AOTA panel designing specialty certifications for Dysphagia management. She has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally in feeding, sensory integration, international adoption medicine, and developmental care.

alynch@misericordia.edu