Below you'll find 11 amazing presentations from the speakers who generously consented to share via video at the First Annual NANT Conference. Thanks to each of them for passing along their knowledge and expertise!

When you choose to purchase the First Annual Conference: Virtual Edition you will receive immediate access to the 11 presentations featured below. Enjoy!

Presenters:

Sue Ludwig OTR/L and Kara Ann Waitzman OTR/L, CIMI

Title of Presentation:

Implementing Infant-Driven Feeding®: The Expanded Role of the Neonatal Therapist

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"Fabulous speakers! Clear, concise, practical message that will change practice. I can't wait to bring this information to our team."

Description:

Changing the culture and practice of oral feeding in the NICU is a hot topic.

In reality, NICUs are struggling to implement a cue based feeding approach without any clearly defined process or change in values from the traditional feeding practice of the past. You've read the literature, you understand the need for change and yet it's difficult to operationalize the concepts of cue based feeding into real-life bedside care with any consistency.

This presentation identifies the differences between infant-driven feeding® practice, traditional feeding practice and cue based feeding practice. This allows you to understand the importance of having an objective system for the transition to oral feeding.

Your role as a neonatal therapist is vital to the success of this practice change.

During this presentation you receive key points regarding your role as a neonatal therapist in the 3-part process that facilitates change in feeding culture and practice.

Title of Presentation:

GERD: Evaluation and Management- A Clinical Perspective

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"Very applicable, hot topic. Good straightforward info. Clearly presented. An enjoyable speaker."

Description:

This is the question every NICU has - What can be done for babies in the NICU who have GERD?

Dr. Russo discusses anatomic considerations impacting GERD, describes common therapeutic options and reviews other differential diagnosis considerations beyond GERD.

You'll find yourself referring back to Dr. Russo's presentation time and time again as GERD related issues surface in your NICU.

Presenters:

Sandra Carroll, OTR, CIMI; Chrysty Sturdivant, OTR

Title of Presentation:

Co-Occupation: A Framework for Practice in the NICU

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"I am so impressed with the frame of reference. I intend to go back to my unit and be in the moment with every treatment session. Incredible."

Description:

Need a framework that has immediate and practical implications for practice?

As a neonatal therapist, you have the opportunity to support and educate the family to nurture and manage their infant's on-going needs. You help them recognize their infant as a unique, contributing member of their family.

This presentation addresses co-occupation (as defined by Pierce in 2009) as a framework for practice for neonatal therapists in the NICU. The framework, use, and impact of co-occupational performance on infant development are discussed.

Practice interventions are recommended for immediate application at the bedside.

Presenter:

Elizabeth Jeanson, PT DPT

Title of Presentation:

Essential Tools for the NICU Therapist Tool Box

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"Excellent! Loved the hands-on application."

Description:

Continue to add to your 'NICU Therapist Tool Box' by exploring myofascial release, massage and positive touch with Dr. Jeanson.

Her presentation includes hands on lab activities to introduce and practice these three practical, everyday therapy tools for the NICU therapist. Through a balance of theoretical and practical information you will gain new knowledge into the aspects and effects of touch in the preterm infant.

Treatment tools including myofascial release, massage, and positive touch are reviewed.

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"A fabulous pioneer! So inspiring! The baby videos really brought home the point of the topic and the importance of assisting others to learn developmental care."

Description:

Dr. Vergara takes you on a journey most will never see.

Neonatal therapy practice in most third-world countries has not kept pace with emerging practice in the more developed world. Family centered care in particular - a fundamental aspect of neonatal therapy in the United States and other prosperous countries - has evolved extremely slowly in the less-developed world.

This presentation discusses strategies that have opened up communication lines, promoted credibility and acceptance, and prompted willingness to innovate practice for neonatal therapists in third-world countries based on Dr. Vergara's numerous experiences promoting developmental and family centered neonatal care throughout Latin America and other countries.

To the extent possible, the information will be supported by the limited literature available on this topic.

This presentation broadens your worldview and may even inspire you to contribute your expertise to a similar cause.

Title of Presentation:

Writing for Publication

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"Excellent, simple, practical, step by step. Great "cheerleader" for potential researchers. Now I will write!"

Description:

Want to understand the steps toward getting published in a professional healthcare journal?

Dr. Pilcher's presentation provides an introduction to writing for publication. Her nuts and bolts discussion includes fundamental steps, topic and journal selection, literature review, query letter, writing and editing tips, use of APA format, copyright issues, and more!

Dr. Pilcher presents this seemingly daunting work in an engaging and practical manner.

Presenter:

Kara Ann Waitzman, OTR/L, CIMI

Title of Presentation:

The Neonatal Therapists' Role in NICU Design

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"This presentation forced me to start thinking beyond the boundaries of my current practice. Kara Ann gave me tools to go to administration regarding new NICU design."

Description:

Is your NICU considering remodeling or re-design?

A growing number of NICU's around the country are remodeling or re-designing their space to better care for the patients and families they serve. Neonatal therapists have a unique opportunity to share their expertise and make a huge impact in the design process and outcome.

This presentation helps neonatal therapists understand the core design
standards, the significance of their role in the design process, as well identify resources to help them along the way.

Therapists that practice effectively in the NICU have an in-depth knowledge of brain and sensory development. Neonatal therapists inherently help NICU staff adapt their care to support the developmental premise that sensory bombardment can alter brain function and long term developmental outcomes.

This knowledge is the basis for any NICU remodeling or re-design.

This presentation provides the current core design standards (such as those related to lighting, noise, space, family), which are the building blocks for NICU design, and which serve as the key tools for a therapist to facilitate physical change in the NICU.

Presenter:

Lisa Bader, OTR/L, CEIM

Title of Presentation:

Empowering the Parent-Family Education in the NICU

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"Great resources! This is exactly why I came to the NANT Conference!"

Description:

What does parent education look like in the NICU?

What specific tools and handouts can be utilized to educate families? What other forms of education are important, and how do you deal with families of various backgrounds and education levels?

Family education should be a large part of a therapist's job in the NICU. One of our primary roles is to support the parent and baby in their ability to bond and relate to each other.

Ms. Bader's practical and relevant presentation addresses all of the above questions and more regarding family education in the NICU and provides specific ideas and techniques to improve that education.

Presenter:

Gail Poskey, PhD, OTR

Title of Presentation:

Listening To Their Voices: Parents' Perspective on Infant Crying

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"I left this presentation with knowledge about the feelings parents take on with chronic crying. I enjoyed and appreciated this qualitative research. Dr. Poskey is an engaged, organized speaker."

Description:

We need a better understanding of infant crying. Dr. Poskey's presentation provides a new level of that understanding.

Infant crying can pose a significant challenge for parents and caregivers. An understanding of infant crying is important for professionals who work with infants and parents to help convey and reassure the parent that crying is a normal part of infant behavior and development.

Dr. Poskey's presentation is based on her qualitative research study that explored the parents' perspective on the lived experience of responding to infant crying. The results of this research study uncovered the following themes: longing for answers, heightened emotions, coping strategies, description of excessive or inconsolable crying and pattern of crying episodes.

Regardless of your discipline in the NICU, you will find these results to be beneficial in enhancing your intervention with infants and parents/caregivers.

Presenter:

Sandra Carroll, OTR/L, CIMI

Title of Presentation:

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes: A Brief Positioning Lecture

Snapshot Review from Live Conference:

"Appreciated this necessary foundational information. Sometimes speakers begin at an advanced level and I need to start at the beginning!"

Description:

Neonatal therapists and nurses engage in some form of positioning infants for optimal development every day.

This talk includes a brief overview of the basic principles of musculoskeletal positioning of the preterm infant including:

1. 3 common musculoskeletal implications of preterm infant positioning in the NICU
   
   
2. the rationale for use of three positioning devices at the bedside

(**At the First Annual NANT Conference, this presentation preceded a hands-on positioning lab. In The First Annual NANT Conference: Virtual Edition, video of the lab is not included. Length of this talk: 20-25 mins.)