VitalStim® Therapy and Beyond: DINES Specialty Certificate Pediatric Extension

VitalStim® Therapy and Beyond: DINES Specialty Certificate Pediatric Extension is organized by CIAO Seminars and will be held on Nov 09, 2026 at Let's Talk! Therapy Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America.

Description:
CIAO Seminars offers two VitalStim® Specialty Certificate courses - one focused on adults and one on pediatrics. The one-day Pediatric Extension course provides all of the pediatric-specific content not included in the adult version, allowing clinicians to expand their knowledge and confidence in treating infants and children. Facilities seeking to train staff in both adult and pediatric populations may easily add this day following the adult VitalStim® Specialty Certificate course. VitalStim Providers who have previously completed the adult course may also attend this one-day session to gain the additional pediatric content and earn recognition for both populations. This course will provide critical pediatric swallowing content critical for using NMES safely and effectively in the pediatric population. The instructor will cover age ranges from NICU through 6 years old.

The following topics will be discussed:

• Anatomy & Physiology of the Infant and Pediatric Swallow
• Pediatric Neurology
• Pediatric Exercise Considerations for Muscle Training
• Motor Mapping, Synaptic Pruning & Cortical Reorganization
• Electrical Stimulation in the Treatment of Pediatric Dysphagia
• Pediatric Case Studies
• Considerations of Pediatric Diagnostic Populations & Diseases
• Pediatric Research Review

Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify and describe the changing anatomical structures relevant to the swallowing function in neonates through adulthood
• Identify normal infant and pediatric physiology as it changes with the maturing swallow
• Describe the neuro-physiological processes involved in normal swallowing, neural pathways controlling swallowing, positive and negative feedback occurring during swallowing in the pediatric population
• Describe and demonstrate common problem-solving approaches used in a typical NMES treatment session, including preparing the skin, (re)positioning the electrodes, and adjusting NMES parameters in the pediatric population
• Describe the main pathological conditions affecting the swallowing function in the pediatric population
• List precautions and contraindications to the use of NMES in the head and neck region for the pediatric population
• Describe and differentiate between the common NMES treatment protocols described in the peer-review literature for pediatrics
• Discuss correct electrode positioning based on patient presentation and anatomical location of target tissues to treat in the pediatric population
• Discuss and demonstrate the use of swallowing exercise during and after the application of NMES in the pediatric population
• Discuss the sensory defensiveness, its impact and strategies in pediatric feeding and VitalStim and DINES therapy.