Infant Anatomy & Physiology Online Course(s) & Continuing Education
Access the latest clinical skills and research for Infant Anatomy & Physiology for Lactation & Breastfeeding professional training. These Infant Anatomy & Physiology online courses provide practice-changing skills and valuable perspectives from leading global experts. This Infant Anatomy & Physiology education has been accredited for a variety of CEUs / CERPs and can be accessed on-demand, at your own pace.
The Integration of Feeding Skills: Oral Motor Patterns and Reflexes
Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. She has worked as a speech-language pathologist in the public and private school systems, skilled nursing, rehabilitation and children’s hospitals, and in private practice. In 2004, Ms. Gatto became the co-owner of a private practice in Northwest Houston and began her journey in treating children with pediatric feeding disorders. After years of searching for answers in traditional feeding approaches, she underwent training in the field of Orofacial Myology and became the first certified orofacial myologist in the city of Houston in 2011. Ms. Gatto is currently the owner of The Speech and Language Connection, which has two offices in the greater Houston area and employs 21 speech-language pathologists with various specialties.
For the past ten years, she has focused her clinical skills on treating patients with issues in feeding, dysphagia, deglutition, oral sensory aversion, orofacial myology, and swallowing- related disorders, as well as articulation, phonological processing, apraxia, and early childhood intervention.
Ms. Gatto is a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), International Association of Orofacial Myology (IAOM), American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology & Audiology (AAPPSPA), Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association (TSHA), and Houston Association for Communication Disorders (HACD). Additionally, she serves on the board of directors for the IAOM and AAPPSPA and the Community Advisory Board for the University of Houston.
Babies are born with lips, tongues, jaws, cheeks and reflexes that were designed for natural acquisition of skills in feeding, drinking, facial expression and, in speech. Oral motor patterns are the functioning of these structures, whereas, the reflexes are the infant’s mode of survival. These skills occur naturally when the oral structure is intact. When abnormality to the anatomy occurs, maladaptive movements are created and compensatory strategies are learned. The infant, child, or adult modifies their muscle functioning to eat, drink, and speak that directly affects the appropriate integration of higher skills during these feeding milestones. This session will address the normal and abnormal oral motor patterns, feeding milestones and the natural integration of the reflexes.
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The Vagus Nerve: Branchial Motor / Special Visceral Efferents: The Pharynx, Larynx, Soft Palate and one tiny tongue muscle
Michelle has been a pediatric neurodevelopmental Occupational therapist specializing in precrawling infants for over 26 years. She has specialty certifications and training in lactation, manual therapy, and pre and peri natal psychology. Michelle has specialized in optimal cranial nerve function and oral restrictions, with an emphasis on infant movement, innate biological imperatives and human potential, providing novel curriculums, support and resources for both professionals and parents. She enjoys collaborating and working in teams for babies and families going through the tethered oral tissues release process.
Topic: Breastfeeding and Cranial Nerve Dysfunction – the what, who and why of Cranial Nerve Dysfunction in the newborn to precrawling baby - [View Abstract]
Topic: Compensatory vs Novel Movements: 3 Keys for Babies With Tongue, Lip and Buccal Restrictions - [View Abstract]
Topic: Interoception: Beyond the Homunculus....The Real Sixth Sense and Its Primary Function as Sensory Input to the Autonomic Nervous System - [View Abstract]
Topic: The Vagus Nerve: Branchial Motor / Special Visceral Efferents: The Pharynx, Larynx, Soft Palate and one tiny tongue muscle - [View Abstract]
Topic: TummyTime!™ : A Therapeutic Strategy for Parents and Babies - [View Abstract]
Babies with tongue/oral restrictions and Cranial Nerve Dysfunction (CND) present with clinical indicators of decreased airway patency which interrupt latch and breastfeeding skills, airway development and Autonomic Nervous System regulation. These difficulties are noted clinically by mouth breathing, open mouth posture, stridor, snoring and other noisy breathing, suboptimal breathing patterns, decreased suck/swallow/breathe coordination and poor tongue and jaw posture / movement during activity and rest. Many of us are familiar with the Vagus nerve and the vital role it plays as our body’s sensory/afferent relayer of information to the central nervous system, as well, the Vagus serves as the primary parasympathetic influence on most of our viscera, including our heart, which helps us regulate. However, what we often gloss over is the motor input to the skeletal muscles of the soft palate, pharynx, larynx and tongue which directly impact breathing. This lecture will delve into this fascinating topic and provide clinical applications.
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Tying It All Together- Consequences of Pathology and Ideal Collaboration
Dr. Gerner has been a Maternity and Pediatric Specialist in private practice for over 17 years with an additional focus on functional infant cranial work. She teaches other professionals to support breastfeeding across the USA and internationally. She is a wife, mother of 3 grown children, and lives in Northern CA with her husband and their 2 rescued dogs.
Topic: Introductions and Establishing the Value of Integration - [View Abstract]
Topic: Nitty Gritty Anatomy: The Cranium, Supporting Structure and the Muscle Layer - [View Abstract]
Topic: Tying It All Together- Consequences of Pathology and Ideal Collaboration - [View Abstract]
How does it all fit together- the cranium, the spine, the muscles, the cranial nerves and the dural system? In addition to their involvement in breastfeeding function, there can be serious long-term consequences to the child if pathology is not corrected. Learn why IBCLCs and other medical professionals recommend a collaborative approach to care for the very best outcomes. This presentation focuses on: (1) Sphenobasilar dysfunction and hydrocephaly; (2) neurological consequences of pathology and adaptation; (3) breastfeeding challenges from the LC scope correlated to structures; (3) tethered oral tissues- Importance of a collaborative approach; (4) best practice collaboration from the viewpoint of an IBCLC.
Where Should We Dig? Not All Gold Is Buried Under the Tongue
Carol has been a therapeutic bodyworker in Portland, Oregon for over 26 years. She is a retired home birth midwife. She specializes in infant and maternal Craniosacral Therapy.
Carol is convinced that if women are appropriately supported in growing, birthing and nurturing their babies, their lives will improve. When women's lives improve their children's health improves. Healthy children grow up to be healthier adults who create healthier communities and a saner, more peaceful world. Carol believes that when things are out of balance even the smallest intervention can bring about great healing. Our need for it is so great.
Carol is passionate about using her CST skills to gently make space in maternal bodies so babies can assume ideal positions for gestation and birth. She is currently developing specialized prenatal yoga classes to support and enhance the maternal bodywork techniques she practices and teaches.
Topic: Where Should We Dig? Not All Gold Is Buried Under the Tongue - [View Abstract]
Carol will explain how the sources of tongue and oral dysfunction aren’t always in the mouth. Sometimes the gold is buried elsewhere. She will discuss torques and twists in the body that extend into the floor of the mouth and express themselves as a lack of tongue mobility. She will discuss how fetal lie and restricted fetal mobility cause babies to grow in ways that negatively impact their breastfeeding. These things may masquerade as and/or exacerbate tongue mobility issues disguised as short frenula. Carol will also explain the CST treatment approach for these babies.
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