This course will no longer be available after 12/31/2022.

Must complete by 12/31/2022!

Course Information

This online self-study course will prepare Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) for providing therapeutic, progressive treatment to adult patients who suffer from speech intelligibility deficits, oral dysphagia, and a diminished quality of life because of head and neck cancer-induced trismus.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this certification course, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the various patient profiles of head and neck cancer who acquire trismus.
  2. Measure a patient's maximal jaw opening with a standard form of measurement.
  3. Categorize a patient's trismus severity based on the patient's maximal jaw opening measurement using a standardized scale.
  4. Select appropriate assessments for patients who are suspected of having trismus with standardized assessment tools.
  5. Determine appropriate active and passive jaw mobility therapy tools for trismus intervention based on the patient’s individual needs.
  6. Implement exercise science-based techniques and counseling strategies to increase patient motivation, independence, and progress.

Agenda:

Pre-Course Required Reading: Word Count 25987,  259 mins 0.4 ASHA CEUs

00:00: Introduction, Instructions, Making the ARK-J Device

00:28: The SLP’s Scope in HNC-Trismus Intervention

00:38: The Pathophysiology of HNC-Trismus

00:56: HNC-Trismus Patient Profiles

1:14: Comprehensive HNC-Trismus Assessment

1:37: Individualized HNC-Trismus Therapy

2:19: Barriers and Facilitators of Trismus Therapy

2:47: Construction of the ARK-J Stretching Device

3:09: Final Thoughts and Summary

189 minutes, 0.3 ASHA CEUs

Reporting to ASHA:

This course is offered for 0.7 ASHA CEUs (7 hours), Advanced Level, Professional Area.

If you wish to have your participation in this course reported to ASHA, you must include your ASHA number when registering for the course. If you do not have an ASHA number, but you would like your participation reported to ASHA, type “ REPORT” in the field requesting your ASHA number.  If you do not wish to have your participation submitted to ASHA, type “NO” in the field requesting your ASHA number. Once the course post-test has been completed your material will be ready for us to submit.

Course Disclosure: This course focuses on the ARK-J method of treatment for head and neck cancer related trismus. 

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 877-390-1887.


**REFUND POLICY**

No refunds for self-study courses.


Webinar Notice:

Successful participation in this course includes completion of the post-test with a score of 80% or higher, then participants will automatically receive a course completion certificate. If you would like to have your participation reported to ASHA, it must be indicated on the registration form. 

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 877-390-1887.

Instructor

Megan Nosol, M.S.Ed., M.S., PA-S1 Megan Nosol

Megan is a former medical-based Speech-Language Pathologist who holds a master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Upon graduation from UNC's program in 2013, Megan worked as a clinician in the skilled nursing, outpatient rehabilitation, non-profit organization, and telepractice settings from 2014-2020. Her main areas of interest were head and neck cancer, neurorehabilitation, and counseling. With her additional master’s degree in Secondary Education, Megan uses her passion for teaching to instruct webinars and courses for SLPs, such as "The ARK-J Program Trismus Intervention Certification Course", “The Evolving Swallow: Managing the Effects of Chemo, Radiation, and Surgery” webinar, and "Filling in the Gaps: Missing Components of Dysphagia Education" course with Ed Bice, M.A. CCC-SLP. She enjoys helping others learn and found mentoring new clinicians one of the most rewarding aspects of her job as a clinician. You can listen to Megan's podcast episodes on Swallow Your Pride to learn more about important considerations when treating HNC patients (episode 8) or read about trismus intervention or using Motivational Interviewing as a counseling approach with dysphagia patients in Megan's blog posts on Dysphagia Cafe. Currently, Megan is a Physician Assistant student (graduating class of 2024) at Quinnipiac University in North Haven, Connecticut. Disclosures: Megan will receive an honorarium for this course from Patheous Health. Megan has the following non-financial relationship to disclose: Megan is a board member of the Burgundy & White non-profit organization.