Category Archives: Conferences

Unveiling the Excitement: ASHA Schools Connect 2023 Highlights

August 1, 2023Conferences, Feeding Therapy, Speechasha schools connect, conferences, ezpz, kokolingo, new products, novenops, slp, speech language pathologyAllyson Locke, M.S., OTR/L

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Creating community, supporting students at the ASHA Schools Connect 2023 conference!

From July 13th to July 15th, 2023, Long Beach, California witnessed a vibrant gathering of school based speech and language professionals and vendors at the 2023 ASHA Schools Connect conference. Our team from Therapro was delighted to participate in this enriching event, and we are excited to share with you the three standout highlights from this remarkable conference.

1. Expanding Horizons: Connecting with Vendors and Embracing Innovation

One of the most exhilarating aspects of ASHA Schools Connect 2023 was the opportunity to connect with vendors who showcased cutting-edge products and assessments. For Therapro, this was a gateway to introducing new items on our website and expanding our range of therapeutic supplies. Among the remarkable additions are the innovative ezpz feeding products, designed to make mealtime a breeze for children with various needs. These products promote independence and self-feeding while encouraging healthy eating habits.

In addition to feeding products, we have also embraced new evaluation tools that empower speech-language pathologists in their practice. Some new additions to the Therapro website include the Oral Passage Understanding Scale (OPUS) and the Early Functional Communication Profile (EFCP) . The OPUS has proven to be a valuable tool for assessing listening comprehension and the EFCP measures subtle, functional changes in nonverbal communication skills in children with severe disabilities.

Be sure to check out all of the new products recently added to the Therapro website and stop back often to see all of the updates that are coming!

2. Empowering Therapists: Product Demonstrations

The Therapro booth at the conference showcased the latest therapeutic products, with a focus on empowering therapists and engaging their young clients. One of the best parts of conferences is debuting our newest products. At ASHA Schools Connect the star attractions was Kokolingo, a versatile and interactive language-building game. Its adaptability allows therapists to customize sessions according to individual goals, making articulation therapy engaging and fun for children of all ages.

Beyond unveiling new products, we also reintroduced classic favorites like NOVENOPS. This captivating game has been a staple in speech therapy for years, promoting language skills and cooperation among players. As therapists and attendees rediscovered the joy of NOVENOPS, it served as a reminder of the enduring impact of tried and tested therapeutic tools.

3. Spreading Joy: Prizes and Giveaways

ASHA Schools Connect 2023 was not only an occasion for learning and networking but also a time for celebrating the community’s dedication and passion. As part of the festivities, Therapro proudly hosted a series of exciting giveaways, including a generous Therapro gift certificate. This certificate gives therapists the freedom to explore our extensive catalog and select the supplies that best suit their therapeutic needs.

In addition to the gift certificate, we were thrilled to give away a copy of “Social Language Rules and Tools: A Preschool Curriculum,” an essential book for professionals seeking to enhance social communication skills in preschoolers. This valuable resource is packed with practical strategies and activities to foster meaningful connections and enrich social interactions.

picture of woman holding the book social language rules and tools

picture of a woman holding the therapro speech and language catalog

Embracing Growth, Innovation, and Collaboration

The ASHA Schools Connect 2023 conference was a success for Therapro, fostering new partnerships, introducing innovative products, and reigniting enthusiasm for timeless therapeutic tools. We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an enriching event, and we’re thrilled to share these highlights with our community of therapists.

As we move forward, we are committed to continuously expanding our range of therapeutic supplies, ensuring therapists have access to the latest tools to empower the young minds they work with. At Therapro, we firmly believe in the power of growth, innovation, and collaboration, and we are excited to embark on this journey together with all the incredible professionals who make a difference in the lives of children every day.

We eagerly look forward to the next ASHA Schools Connect event, where we can once again join this dynamic community, learn, grow, and celebrate the remarkable field of speech and language therapy.

2023 Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium (MEIC) Conference Highlights

May 31, 2023Conferencesearly intervention, Occupational Therapy, OT, physical therapy, pt, speech language therapistGuest Blogger

On May 1st, the Therapro team made a local stop at the 2023 Massachusetts Early Intervention Consortium (MEIC). We had a great time meeting attendees, demonstrating some of our favorite early learning products, and giving away prizes! If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry, in this blog post we are covering all of the 2023 MEIC conference highlights!

Live Demonstrations!

By far one of the best features of an in person conference is the ability to give live demonstrations; while we do our best to adequately describe the products on our website, there are some things you just have to experience! Happy Senso, Rainbow River Stones, and Rody The Riding Horse were just some of the demo products attendees had the opportunity to try out at the conference.

Happy Senso definitely elicited some of the best reactions from attendees who tried this amazing sensory gel. Happy Senso has a unique cold feeling and it pops and fizzles when it is squished by the hands. Attendees were full of ideas for ways this fun sensory gel could be used in sessions, one physical therapists even thought it might be fun to walk through!

Rody The Riding Horse is fun way to elicit balance reactions and provide children with soothing rhythmic movement. Attendees at MEIC enjoyed giving Rody squishes and squeezes with many attendees remarking on the durable feel of the material. Another fun feature of Rody is the availability of the rocker base.

Rainbow River Stones are a set of of six brightly colored durable plastic “stones” of varying sizes that can be used for all sorts of gross motor and sensory play. Designed with the traveling therapist in mind, they easily nest inside of one another and even come with a convenient carry bag! Conference attendees enjoyed the big size of each ‘stone’ and the different textured surfaces.

Conference All-Stars!

At every conference that Therapro attends there are always a few products that sell out quickly. MEIC was no different, for this event the conference all-stars included the Sensory Spoon, My 1st Dinosaurs, and the book Just Take a Bite.

The Sensory Spoon is a unique tool that was developed in collaboration with a speech language pathologist and two occupational therapists. The Sensory Spoon focuses on the development of self-feeding with infants as young as 7 months old. Its unique characteristics include a short, textured handle that offers sensory input to the palm for grasping, a natural “stop” that prevents gagging or deep insertion into the mouth, and a flexible, smooth texture.

The Smartmax My 1st Dinosaurs are a fun, puzzle like activity; each of the soft dinosaur pieces easily click together with magnets. Attendees were impressed with how easily the pieces clicked together. With the Smartmax My 1st Dinosaurs children can build five dinosaurs or they can use their imagination to mix and match for some crazy prehistoric creations.

Just Take a Bite: Easy Effective Answers to Food Aversions and Eating Challenges is the classic book for both feeding specialists and families with picky eaters alike. This book provides clear and concise strategies, and practical lessons for assisting children in eating a balanced diet. This valuable resource contains a comprehensive treatment plan for solving mealtime struggles.

Giveaways!

Therapro loves giveaways; at MEIC 2023 we had so many things to give to attendees.

Prizes! It wouldn’t be a conference without prizes. We brought along a functionalhand, a set of EazyHolds, and a Two Minute Turtle Toothbrush Timer to giveaway. Pro Tip: Attendees loved our idea for using the Turtle Timer as a handwashing timer, simply use the lights to cue washing the palms of the hands, the top of the left hand, the top of the right hand, and the fingers.

Resources! One of the core beliefs we have at Therapro is that achieving therapeutic goals is not only about the use of products, but also about the resources that educate consumers on the uniqueness and rationale behind the products. Therapro’s Handguides are one of the many free resources we have available. At MEIC 2023 Therapro’s What Can I Adapt? Handy Guide and Choose Your Chew! Handy Guide were well received by attendees.

The MEIC 2023 conference was full of highlights! Attendees a big thank you for the warm reception we received, we enjoyed talking to you all! The Therapro team is looking forward to MEIC 2024.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) 2023 Conference Highlights

April 26, 2023Conferences, UncategorizedOccupational TherapyGuest Blogger

The Therapro team was truly inspired at the 2023 American Occupational Therapy Annual Conference (AOTA) in Kansa City, Missouri. The Therapro booth was buzzing with activity from the grand opening of the expo hall on Thursday morning through the final pack up on Saturday afternoon. Read on for conference highlights!

Celebrity Sightings!

The occupational therapists at Therapro definitely consider the special guests and visitors who stopped by the Therapro booth celebrities!

The Therapro team was joined by Linda Merry, OTR and Celine Skertich, PT the creators of the functionalhand, Polly Benson, OTR/L creator of LegiLiners, and Carolyn Murray-Slutsky, MS, OTR & Betty Paris, PT authors of many publications including Is It Sensory Or Is It Behavior?. It was inspiring to listen to their passion as they discussed their creations and publications with attendees.

The Therapro booth was also visited by many other ‘celebrities’ including Jenny L. Clark, OTR/L, BCP (author and creator of creator of the “Learn to Move” curriculum and Letter Treasure Hunt), Dawn Winkelmann, M.S, CCC-SLP (feeding specialist for EZPZ), Kerry Mellin (co-creator of the EazyHolds) and John Pagano, Ph.D., OTR/L (author of FAB: Functionally Alert Behavior Strategies). The booth was a constant buzz of activity, it was great being able to engage with so many other professionals!

Jenny L. Clark with Karen, President of Therapro

Live Demonstrations!

By far one of the best features of an in person expo is the ability to give live demonstrations; while we do our best to adequately describe the products on our website, there are some things you just have to experience! Happy Senso, Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet, and the Luminea Multisensory Environment products were just some of the products out for demo that really got people buzzing!

Happy Senso definitely elicited some of the best reactions from attendees who tried this amazing sensory gel. Happy Senso has a unique cold feeling and it pops and fizzles when it is squished by the hands. Attendees couldn’t get enough of this fun sensory gel and many even brought their friends back to the booth to give it a try!

black chair with
Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet attache

Once the Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet were put on a standard chair in our booth, that chair became the instant favorite by both booth staff and conference attendees! Attendees especially appreciated the subtle but impactful movement the Wiggle Wobble Chair Feet provided and that they were more discrete than other available options.

Luminea bubble tube and tablet showing the luminea app

The Luminea Bubble Tube and Fiber Optic Lights were an eye catching display but once attendees started to interact with the Luminea App, set up on our tablet, they quickly realized these elements offered much more therapeutic value than the standard bubble tube or light display. In conjunction with the free Luminea app, the Luminea line of products allows therapist and users to target skills like fine motor precision, isolated finger use, and language. An added bonus, the Vibroacoustic Cushion can also be paired with these elements to offer vibratory input. Attendees were pleasantly surprised by the subtle but powerful vibrations that were produced by such a small cushion!

The Therapro team had so much fun showing how these great tools could be used therapeutically and we loved hearing about how attendees were using these tools in their own practice!

Giveaways!

Therapro loves giveaways; at AOTA 2023 we had so many things to give to attendees.

Prizes! Several lucky attendees won a functionalhand of their very own, other attendees won one of the many EazyHolds options, and still others won some great books including Exploring the Spectrum of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (2000) and Just Right! A Sensory Modulation Curriculum for K-5.

Resources! One of the core beliefs we have at Therapro is that achieving therapeutic goals is not only about the use of products, but also about the resources that educate consumers on the uniqueness and rationale behind the products. Therapro’s Handguides are one of the many free resources we have available. At AOTA 2023 Therapro’s Find Your Fidget! Handy Guide, Get a Grip on Grips! Handy Guide, Gear Up for Games with Therapro! Handy Guide, and What Can I Adapt? Handy Guide were well received by attendees!

AOTA 2023 attendees a big thank you for the warm reception we received, we enjoyed talking to you all! The Therapro team is looking forward to AOTA 2024 in Orlando!