OTAC Special Topics Forum | Vestibular Deficits: Identifying Signs, Symptoms, and Effective Client Treatment (1.25 PDUs)

Event Information

OTAC Special Topics Forum | Virtual Webinar

When: December 6, 2023, 6:00pm - 7:30pm

This presentation aims to provide an overview of the vestibular system, describe common causes of dizziness, and discuss treatment options. The goal of this presentation is to provide education on this commonly impacted system so clients can receive the support and services they need. Q&A with presenters included.

Objectives
After this course, participants will be able to:

1. Explain basic anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system to patients.
2. Identify signs and symptoms of common vestibular deficits.
3. Describe diagnostic testing to correctly determine common causes of a patient’s dizziness.
4. Identify appropriate course of treatment based on assessment findings.

About the Presenters

Katie Bell, OTD, OTR/L, CBIST, is an owner and occupational therapy practitioner at Empower NeuroRehab. She has worked with the brain injury population in a variety of settings including day treatment, inpatient polytrauma, residential neurorehabilitation, home and community, and supported living. She is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST) and has completed a comprehensive vestibular rehabilitation certificate. She provides vestibular therapy primarily for pediatric clients.

Will Bernaldo, PT, DPT, NCS, is an owner and physical therapist at Empower NeuroRehab. He has worked in a variety of clinical settings including outpatient orthopedics, vestibular rehabilitation, and acute rehabilitation. In 2019 he was awarded the professional designation of board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Treating individuals with neurologic injury is his primary passion in the field, with a particular interest in vestibular system impairment.