2019 Making Connections Conference

Presentation Videos By Topic

Please scroll down to view the 2019 Making Connections Conference topics and presentations! You can view each topics video by clicking the video link or view the corresponding presentation by clicking the presentation link. Some speakers also included additional handouts which are also linked by topic.

 

Bent, Not Broken: The management of scoliosis and spinal deformity after a brain injury
Presented by Brian Edward Kaufman, MD

Video: Bent, Not Broken: The Management Of Scoliosis And Spinal Deformity After A Brain Injury By Brian Edward Kaufman, MD

Powerpoint Presentation: Scoliosis and Spine Deformity After Brain Injury by Brian Kaufman, MD.

Scoliosis, or a curvature of the spine, is a common for children after a brain injury. The management of these spinal deformities encompasses a number of non-operative and operative interventions that will be reviewed in this presentation. The session will combine a review of up to date medical evidence on the management of spinal deformity after TBI combined with case-based presentations from children with spinal deformity managed by Dr. Kaufman. The session is meant to be interactive and families are encouraged to participate in the discussion.

If you would like to contact Dr. Kaufman, you can use the below information to do so:

Dr. Kaufman

Website: www.ctpomd.com

Phone: 512-478-8116

Exosomes- Stem Cell Based Therapy Using Exosomes for Brain Injury and Neurological Disorders/Injuries
By Douglas Spiel MD

Video: Exosomes- Stem Cell Based Therapy Using Exosomes for Brain Injury and Neurological Disorders/Injuries By Douglas Spiel MD

Powerpoint Presentation: Central Nervous System Injuries in Children Part 1

Powerpoint Presentation: Central Nervous System Injuries in Children Part 2

Review of stem cell-based therapy using exosomes for brain injury and neurological disorders. Dr. Douglas Spiel will discuss the science, application and benefits of Exosomes as a stem cell based therapy .

 

Grief and Trauma in Families with a Child with a Brain Injury
Presented by Bianca Bentzin, LMFT-Associate

Video: Grief and Trauma in Families With A Child With A Brain Injury by Bianca Bentzin, LMFT-A

Powerpoint Presentation: Grief and Trauma in Families With A Child With A Brain Injury by Bianca Bentzin, LMFT-A

“Ambiguous grief” or “unconventional grief” are the terms used to describe the grief experienced by people who have a family member who suffered a major injury or illness and may not be the same person they were before the devastating incident. This presentation will give voice and understanding to the grief and trauma experienced by family members.  We will discuss what “ambiguous grief” looks and feels like, how to find meaningful self-care while serving as a caregiver, and other strategies for managing the complex feelings associated with grief and trauma.

If you would like to contact Bianca, you can use the below information to do so:

Bianca Bentzin

Website:  https://beingwellwithbianca.com/

Email:  bebentzin@gmail.com

Phone:  512-348-6313

 

Music Therapy: Mind-Body-Spirit Connection
Presented by Sharolyn Ferrer BM, GCMT, MT-BC, MMT & Chris Lippke, MT-BC

Video: Gsus Music Therapy Services

Powerpoint Presentation: Gsus Music Therapy Services

Ask a board certified music therapist. Our presentation will provide an overview of what is music therapy? Who is a music therapist? How does music therapy work? Who can benefit from music therapy? What are some of the benefits (short- and long-term) of music therapy services? And more. We will also be available to answer any questions you may have about music therapy.

 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Rehabilitation of Acquired Pediatric Neurological Disorders
Presented by By Paul G. Harch, M.D.

Video: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Rehab of Acquired Pediatric Neurological Disorders by Dr. Paul Harch, MD

Powerpoint Presentation: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Rehabilitation

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been in existence for nearly 355 years, yet has escaped scientific understanding until the last 10 years.  This talk will begin with a review of the traditional understanding of HBOT and evolve to our modern understanding as a gene therapy for wounds in any location and of any duration.  Dr. Harch will explain how acquired pediatric neurological disorders are generally wounding conditions of the brain and show how HBOT can be effective in minimizing injury, treating the wounds, and speeding recovery, regardless of the length of time after the injury.

If you would like to contact Dr. Harch’s office, you can use the below information to do so:

Harch Hyperbarics Inc.

Website: www.hbot.com

Email: hbot@hbot.com

Phone: 504-309-4948

 

Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers
Presented by Elizabeth Tucker

Video: Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers by Elizabeth Tucker

Powerpoint Presentation: Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers by Elizabeth Tucker

Additional Handout: Medicaid Handout 1

Additional Handout: Medicaid Handout 2

This session will present information on the Medicaid and Texas Home and Community-Based Services waivers, including who is eligible, how to apply and the types of benefits available.  Waivers pay for things like home modifications, respite, adaptive aids, habilitation, personal care services and respite. Texas does not consider a parent’s income when determining a child’s eligibility for most of these programs. The waivers open a world of new possibilities and opportunities for children and families.

 

Navigating Public Education When Your Child has a Brain Injury
Presented by Virginia Spencer

Video: Special Education Explained by Virginia Spencer

Powerpoint Presentation: Special Education Explained by Virginia Spencer

Obtaining appropriate educational services can feel like a daunting undertaking.  This session will clarify the process, dispel some myths, and give you a road map for your child’s success.

 

Neuronutrition After Brain Injury: An Evidence-Based Treatment Approach
Presented by Dr. Emily Gutierrez, DNP, C-PNP, PMHS, IFM-CP

Video: Neuronutrition After Brain Injury: An Evidence-Based Treatment Approach by Dr. Emily Gutierrez, DNP, C-PNP, PMHS, IFM-CP 

Powerpoint Presentation: Applying Functional Medicine To Pediatric Brain Injury by Dr. Emily Gutierrez, DNP, CPNP, IFM-CP

Nutritional and nutraceutical approaches can be safe and effective for the management of chronic symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury. This lecture will help educate families and caregivers on why nutrition can be so effective, what supplements have strong evidence for treatment, and how to safely approach nutritional management.

If you would like to contact Dr. Gutierrez, you can use the below information to do so:

Dr. Emily Gutierrez – Neuronutritional Associates

Website: http://www.neuronutritionassociates.com/

Email: egutierrez@neuronutritionassociates.com

Phone: 512-599-8850

 

Outpatient Cognitive Rehabilitation for Pediatric Brain Injury
Presented by M. Cullen Gibbs, Ph.D.

Video: Outpatient Cognitive Rehabilitation of Executive Function By Dr. Gibbs

Powerpoint Presentation: Outpatient Cognitive Rehabilitation of Executive Function by Dr. Gibbs

This presentation will focus on areas of cognitive function commonly impacted by pediatric brain injury.  The impact of difficulties with functions including speed of information processing, attention, short-term memory, and executive skills will be discussed in terms of implications for daily functioning.  A cognitive rehabilitation approach focusing on compensatory strategies to address these difficulties will be provided.

 

Strategies for Life: Maximizing Function after Brain Injury in Children
Presented by Lori G. Cook, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Video: Strategies For Life Maximizing Function After Brain Injury In Children by Lori G. Cook, Ph.D

Powerpoint Presentation: Strategies For Life Maximizing Function After Brain Injury In Children by Lori G. Cook, Ph.D

Youth with brain injury often have a variety of cognitive deficits and dynamic needs across the continuum of recovery—due to ongoing development and increasing cognitive demands—that make generalization of skills from one context to another challenging. The goal of this session is to describe some of the promising approaches for remediation of later-emerging cognitive challenges after pediatric brain injury. The presentation will focus on novel approaches, such as strategy-based reasoning training, and integration of new technologies–including online/mobile and virtual reality platforms–that offer promise in addressing real-life challenges, particularly for adolescents. An emphasis will be placed on forward-thinking applications to maximize learning potential and higher-order cognitive skills (e.g., executive functioning, social cognition, etc.), including practical tips and takeaways.

If you would like to contact Dr. Cook, you can use the below information to do so:

Lori.Cook@utdallas.edu

https://brainhealth.utdallas.edu/

 

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