Occupational Therapy CEU Courses to Advance Your Skills

Continuing education is an integral part of an occupational therapist’s journey. With advancements in research, technology, and therapeutic approaches, staying updated is vital to providing effective care. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are designed to enhance professional skills, offer practical knowledge, and meet licensing renewal requirements. For occupational therapists, selecting the right CEU courses can lead to improved client outcomes and a deeper understanding of specialized therapy techniques.

Knowledge Is Now offers high-quality CEU courses to elevate your professional expertise and meet licensing renewal requirements. Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, explore new therapy techniques, or focus on a specific practice area, our courses are designed with your growth in mind.

To enhance your expertise and stay up to date with the best practices in Occupational Therapy, explore the following essential courses designed to strengthen your skills and improve patient outcomes.

Session 1 of 6 – Accessibility & Communication: Getting Started with Access Methods

This course introduces various communication access methods to help therapists support children with complex communication needs. It covers techniques for identifying appropriate access methods, using assessment tools, and implementing a systematic approach to teaching access methods. Participants will learn to identify four access methods, match individuals to suitable methods, and understand the assessment process. This session is part of a six-part AAC series and counts toward ASHA renewal through TSHA approval.

Session 2 of 6 – Accessibility & Communication: Getting to Know Direct Access – Touch

This intermediate-level course delves into the use of touch as a direct access method for individuals utilizing Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems. Building on a solid foundation in AAC, the course explores the various touch access options available and the settings that can be implemented to increase communication accessibility for individuals with motor, vision, and sensory differences. By examining the tools and supports available, participants will gain the knowledge needed to assess and implement touch access solutions effectively.

Course Objectives: After completing this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify three touch access options for AAC systems.
• Describe touch access supports that can be tailored to meet the needs of individuals with motor and sensory differences.
• Understand the assessment process to determine if touch access is appropriate for a specific individual.

This course meets professional development hours towards ASHA renewal, approved by TSHA. You can count these hours towards your ASHA renewal by submitting your Compliance Form.

Recommended Prerequisites: Participants should have a solid foundation in AAC, knowledge of direct and indirect access methods (such as touch, eye gaze, and switch scanning), and proficiency in AAC assessment for access methods. If you’re new to these topics, we recommend taking the

Session 3 of 6 – Accessibility & Communication: Getting to Know Eye Gaze Access

This intermediate-level course provides an in-depth look at eye gaze as a direct access method for AAC systems. Eye gaze technology allows individuals with complex communication and motor needs to interact with AAC devices using only their eyes. The session covers the fundamentals of eye gaze access, including proper positioning, environmental settings that support success, and a systematic approach to teaching eye gaze skills.

Participants will explore the different stages of learning eye gaze access and gain practical strategies for implementing these skills in therapy. The course also provides guidance on assessing whether eye gaze is the most appropriate access method for a given individual.

Following this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe appropriate positioning techniques for eye gaze access
• Identify three key settings that enhance eye gaze accessibility
• Recognize the stages of learning eye gaze and apply suitable implementation activities at each stage

This course is part of a six-part AAC training series and is approved by TSHA, making it eligible for ASHA professional development hours. Participants can count these hours toward ASHA renewal by submitting their Compliance Form.

Session 4 of 6 – Accessibility & Communication: Switch Scanning

This intermediate-level course focuses on switch scanning as an indirect access method for AAC users with complex motor and communication needs. Switch access allows individuals to control AAC devices using single or multiple switches, making communication possible for those unable to use direct methods like touch or eye gaze.

The session provides an overview of one-switch and two-switch scanning systems, highlighting key differences and considerations. Participants will also learn how to optimize software settings to support switch users and explore a systematic approach to teaching switch skills effectively.

Following this training, participants will be able to:

• Describe two key differences between single-switch and two-switch access
• Identify three software settings that enhance switch accessibility
• Recognize the stages of learning switch access and apply relevant implementation activities

This course is part of a six-session AAC training series and is approved by TSHA, making it eligible for ASHA professional development hours. Participants can count these hours toward ASHA renewal by submitting their Compliance Form.

Session 5 of 6 – Accessibility & Communication: Partner Assisted Communication and Other Individualized Access Supports

This intermediate-level course delves into partner-assisted communication (PAC) and individualized strategies to support AAC users, particularly those with complex communication and sensorimotor needs. For individuals with the most challenging needs, this session introduces effective partner-assisted strategies that facilitate communication, allowing support from communication partners to bridge the gap and enhance user access.

The session provides insights into PAC, including scanning supports, and the role of effective communication partners in facilitating communication for those using AAC devices.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify three partner-assisted communication strategies
• Identify appropriate partner-assisted scanning supports to meet the needs of various sensorimotor differences
• Describe three effective communication partner strategies to support access

This course is approved by TSHA and meets the requirements for Professional Development hours toward ASHA renewal. You can count these hours when submitting your Compliance Form for ASHA renewal.

Session 6 of 6 – Accessibility & Communication: Teaching Movement for Improved Access

This is an Intermediate Level course. We highly recommend you have knowledge of and/or experience with the following in order to best benefit from this learning opportunity:

• Solid foundation in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
• Knowledge of AAC direct and indirect access methods (touch, eye gaze, switch scanning)
• Proficiency with assessment for AAC access methods for direct and indirect access

If you do not already have the above knowledge/experience, we recommend the following course:

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) allows individuals without reliable means of using spoken language to have a voice. When these individuals have complex bodies and communication needs, finding effective access methods can be challenging. This session will focus on strategies for teaching movement and providing positioning support to enhance access to AAC systems for individuals with complex motor and sensory needs.

Participants will explore how active learning and specific positioning strategies can improve the ability to access AAC systems. Additionally, movement techniques for communication will be examined to support those with limited mobility or motor function.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe 2 key features of active learning compared to passive participation
2. Identify 3 positioning strategies to support AAC access
3. Describe 3 strategies to support teaching movement(s) for AAC access

This course meets the requirement for Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.

Biomechanical Alignment for New Walkers Who are on Their Toes

This session will focus on understanding biomechanical alignment in new walkers, specifically those who exhibit a Toe Walking gait pattern. The ideal alignment of the lower limbs during walking will be compared with the Toe Walking pattern, which can lead to various complications. The session will also explore the consequences of improper alignment, including orthopedic implications and how these issues can affect postural control and overall walking abilities as the child grows.

Key Areas Covered:

• Correct Age for Bone Maturity: The session will highlight the typical age at which most bone features are fully mature and how this maturity influences walking patterns.
• Modifying Commercial Shoes for Improved Gait: A discussion will be provided on how to modify everyday shoes to help correct gait issues, specifically focusing on Toe Walking. This includes adding orthotic insoles or adjusting heel heights to encourage a more stable and controlled walking posture.
• Biomechanical Alignment Differences: Participants will learn two critical differences between the ideal biomechanical alignment of the gait and the Toe Walking gait pattern, including foot positioning, and the angle of the lower limbs during walking.

Examining Health Literacy Considerations and Clinical Impact on Care for Allied Health Professionals

This course is designed to help allied health professionals improve the way they deliver health information to families, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and cultural sensitivity. Professionals regularly use handouts, videos, and social media to communicate health messages, and it’s essential to evaluate the readability, effectiveness, and cultural considerations of these materials.

Participants will learn to define health literacy and understand its critical role in client care. They will explore factors that improve the readability of health information and identify strategies for effective communication. Through the examination of case studies, participants will apply the Three A’s framework (Access, Accuracy, and Appropriateness) to evaluate health literacy and enhance their ability to deliver impactful messages.

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Define health literacy and identify its impact on client care.
• Identify strategies that improve the readability of health information.
• Review and analyze case studies using the Three A’s framework for health literacy.

This course also meets the DEI Professional Development hours requirement and is eligible for ASHA submission through the ASHA Compliance Form.

Complex Pediatric Dysphagia: Case Studies and Medical Management

This advanced course focuses on the complex management of pediatric dysphagia, which requires in-depth knowledge of various medical diagnoses, developmental considerations, and the effects of medical and surgical interventions on swallowing. The course will provide participants with an overview of common pediatric medical conditions associated with dysphagia and the essential roles of a multidisciplinary team in managing these cases.

Participants will review case studies, which will help them apply knowledge and problem-solving skills in real-world clinical settings. Key topics will include airway disorders, genetic syndromes, and gastrointestinal impacts on swallowing. The course will also explore the roles of different healthcare professionals involved in managing pediatric dysphagia and how their collaboration enhances treatment outcomes.

Course Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe a variety of common pediatric medical diagnoses with associated dysphagia.
• Identify key members of a multidisciplinary team involved in dysphagia management.
• Understand the medical and surgical management options for pediatric dysphagia across various patient populations.

Agenda:

• 2:00-3:00pm CST: Airway Disorders
• 3:00-3:45pm CST: Syndromes and Genetics
• 3:45-4:00pm CST: Break
• 4:00-4:30pm CST: The GI Impact
• 4:30-5:15pm CST: Team Management

This course is approved by TSHA and fulfills the professional development hours requirement for ASHA renewal. Participants can submit the hours through the ASHA Compliance Form for credit.

Tube Weaning in the Pediatric Population

Tube feeding is a vital tool for many infants and children with feeding difficulties, but transitioning from tube feeding to oral feeding presents a complex challenge. This course takes an interprofessional approach to tube weaning, highlighting the importance of collaboration between various healthcare professionals and the family in the weaning process.

Participants will explore the roles of different team members, including physicians, speech therapists, dietitians, and family members, and how their coordinated efforts support a successful transition. The course will cover the common barriers and challenges faced during tube weaning, offer strategies for overcoming them, and discuss ways to track progress and outcomes. It will also address the importance of culturally sensitive mealtime practices and consider how social determinants of health may impact the tube weaning process.

Course Objectives: By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the value of an interprofessional approach to tube weaning.
• Describe the roles of each provider, including the family and patient, within the interprofessional team.
• Identify challenges and successes that can arise during the tube weaning process.

The course will feature case studies and relevant research to help participants understand real-world scenarios. It is approved by TSHA and meets the professional development hours requirement for ASHA renewal, which can be submitted via the ASHA Compliance Form.

Ready to Take Your Practice to the Next Level?

Occupational therapy CEU courses are more than just a professional obligation—they are a gateway to growth, innovation, and improved care. By choosing the right courses, therapists can specialize in areas they are passionate about, enhance their skills, and provide the best possible outcomes for their clients.

We are committed to empowering occupational therapists like you. Our CEU courses are designed to provide practical knowledge, improve client outcomes, and help you excel in your career.

Explore our course catalog today and discover how continuing education can transform your practice. Whether you’re specializing in pediatrics, mental health, or geriatric care, we have a course tailored to your needs.

Your journey to professional growth starts here. Let Knowledge Is Now be your online certified partner in advancing your skills and achieving your goals.