Workshop & Event Calendar

Rehabilitation Can Be Sensational: Optimizing sensory re-education using neuroplasticity principles

Course Description

The session will focus on how to:

• Select discrete interventions & combinations of sensory re-education strategies to optimize neuroplastic learning.
• Develop a graded program of sensory re-education tailored to the needs of the individual to optimize engagement & recovery

Target audience: OT, PT, RA

Date/Time: September 15th, 2026 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Presenter: Dr. Tara Packham is an occupational therapist with over 25 years of clinical experience in hand and upper limb rehabilitation, and an assistant professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences (SRS) at McMaster University. Tara’s program of research focuses on assessing and addressing persistent pain, and continuing to advance the field of hand rehabilitation.

To register: CLICK HERE

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Occupational Therapy (OT) Approaches to Vision Changes Following Neurologic Injury

Course Description

Visual changes following stroke and neurologic injury can significantly impact occupational performance and participation in daily activities. OTs are frequently involved in identifying functional visual concerns and integrating vision related interventions into rehabilitation, yet many clinicians report limited formal training and uncertainty regarding assessment, intervention planning, documentation, and treatment progression.

This full day course is designed to address this gap and provide OTs working with adults with neurologic conditions an evidence informed and practical overview of common vision related impairments following neurologic injury, including visual field loss, ocular motor dysfunction, diplopia, visual inattention, and visual perceptual challenges.

Participants will review foundational neuroanatomy and visual system organization before progressing into functional screening, assessment interpretation, intervention planning, and treatment strategies. Emphasis will be placed on clinical reasoning, functional application, home programming, interdisciplinary collaboration, and integration of visual rehabilitation into everyday activities and environments.

As vision rehabilitation continues to evolve in OT practice, clinicians are increasingly being asked to address complex functional vision concerns across rehabilitation settings. This course will explore current evidence, emerging approaches, clinical challenges, and ongoing questions within the field while emphasizing early identification, functional participation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and occupation-based intervention.

Learner Outcomes

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

• Describe common visual impairments following stroke and neurologic injury and their impact on occupational performance.
• Differentiate common visual impairments including visual field loss, ocular motor dysfunction, diplopia, visual neglect, and visual perceptual deficits.
• Select and interpret functional vision screening and assessment approaches relevant to OT practice.
• Apply clinical reasoning to develop occupation-based intervention plans for neurologic vision changes.
• Discuss compensatory, adaptive, and restorative intervention approaches within current evidence and OT scope of practice.
• Develop functional home programs and environmental modifications to support participation and carryover.

Who Should Attend

OTs and OTAs working with adults post stroke and other neurologic conditions across the continuum of care.

Date/Time

Friday, September 25^th, 2026 from 9:00-4:00 p.m.

Location

The Village of Taunton Mills

3800 Brock Street N, Whitby, ON L1R 3A5

Food

Coffee/tea and light breakfast items will be available. Registrants are responsible for their own lunch.

Cost

No cost to attend.

Presenters

Nicki Hawko, OTD, OTR/L, CLVT is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the University of Vermont Occupational Therapy doctoral program. With over 29 years of experience as an OT and certification in low vision therapy, her clinical work has centered on adult neurological conditions across the continuum of care. She has held leadership roles at the University of Vermont Medical Center and managed their OT student program. Her research interests include low vision, neurological conditions, and functional cognition as they relate to participation in daily activities.

Fiona Gordon, B.Sc. H.Kin., B.Sc. OT Reg.(Ont.) is an OT with over 25 years of experience working in several areas of practice, currently working at Lakeridge Health in the Ambulatory Rehabilitation Centre in the Neuro Rehabilitation Clinic. However, her clinical interest is primarily in neurological rehabilitation across the spectrum of care from acute care to in-patient, and in the past several years in out-patient neurological rehabilitation.

CLICK HERE to Register

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Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment (CMSA)

WORKSHOP FULL - email burridged@rvh.on.ca to be placed on waitlist

This workshop includes video clips & group discussion to educate about the administrative & scoring guidelines of the Chedoke Assessment.

Workshop format includes:

• Lectures that include information about the measure's development and psychometric properties, and its clinical application
• At the end of the workshop, scoring competency will be tested
• All participants will receive written feedback regarding their performance on the test
• Those who meet the scoring criterion will receive a certificate of scoring competency

Target audience: OT, PT

Facilitator: Sukhvinder Kalsi-Ryan

Location: Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital

 3200 Major Mackenzie Dr. W 

 Vaughan, ON L6A 4Z3

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Assessment and Management of Acquired Apraxia of Speech – 2 part series

Date/Time: Oct 22 & Nov 5th from 12:30 - 2:30 EST

Session 1: Assessment

• Describe the neuroanatomical substrates and theoretical models underlying AOS
• Differentiate AOS from aphasia and dysarthria using perceptual and behavioral criteria
• Select and administer standardized and instrumental measures appropriate for characterizing AOS severity and features
• Explain the role of error awareness and self-monitoring in AOS assessment

Session 2: Management/Treatment of Acquired Apraxia of Speech

• Apply principles of motor learning to justify treatment selection and sequencing for AOS
• Describe at least three evidence-based treatment approaches for AOS, including articulatory-kinematic and rate/rhythm approaches
• Integrate error awareness targets into treatment planning
• Describe emerging and technology-assisted approaches to AOS treatment
• Apply course content to a clinical case to develop a treatment plan

Target audience: SLP

Location: Virtual

Presenter: Dan Salomon, SLP is a PhD Candidate, University of Utah

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Vestibular Rehabilitation & Post-Stroke Dizziness

Date/Time: Nov 7th, 2026 from 8:30-4:30 p.m.

Session will focus on assessment & rehabilitation management of dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and gaze instability post-stroke.

Objectives include:

• Explain the essential aspects of vestibular anatomy& function, including central vestibular pathways
• Understand dizziness & vertigo as a consequence of posterior circulation stroke
• Identify the potential presence of co-morbid vestibular disorders in patients with stroke
• Review the HINTS+ exam in differential diagnosis of acute vestibular syndrome
• Differentiate central versus peripheral patterns of nystagmus
• Perform a vestibular screening assessment and interpret your findings
• Evaluate and treat the most common form of BPPV
• Understand & apply treatment principles including VOR adaptation/gaze stability, habituation, & balance exercises
• Identify appropriate outcome measures to use for this patient population

Target audience: OT, PT

Facilitators: Elizabeth Crawford & Shaleen Sulway, Advanced Practice Vestibular Physiotherapists, Directors of Vestibular Health

Location: Bergin Motion Inc., 680 Bayview Dr Unit 8, Barrie, ON L4N 9A6

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