COMMENTS FROM DIANE BAHR'S WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

Julie Sena, SLP from Whittier, CA wrote:
I went to Diane Bahr's "An Integrated Approach to Oral Motor Therapy: Infancy through Geriatrics" in which her book, Oral Motor Assessment and Treatment: Ages and Stages was available to participants. This 2-day course was attended primarily by OTs and some SLPs. Diane's overall depth and breadth in the oral motor area was phenomenal! She's a clearinghouse of information about speech-language pathologists in the forefront of oral motor work. Among the many concepts discussed were the possible causes of tongue thrusting patterns. She revealed various circumstances in infancy and early childhood that can lead to articulation errors. Her feeding style for infants was fascinating and innovative. In addition, Diane has a vision of huge proportion; that of collaboration and celebration of others in our field. Diane is compassionate and personable. I strongly recommend her courses to others.

Linda D'Onofrio, SLP from Portland, Oregon wrote:
Attention oral-motor skeptics! If you are confused about when and how to address poor stability and muscle weakness, and you don't know if and how feeding treatment is connected to articulation treatment, Diane Bahr provides the answer in her comprehensive presentation. Diane Bahr shares extensive knowledge from a wide variety of fields, and she's familiar with many of the products and programs on the market. She provides the pros and cons and teaches you the best way to use these tools. AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO ORAL MOTOR THERAPY is an interactive seminar that brings together structure, muscle function, and behavior for feeding and speech. I was able to apply her ideas to my assessments and treatments immediately. Thanks Diane!

Jane Safrin, OTR from Carmel, Indiana wrote:
Hi Diane - I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed and learned from your conference. I have already spoken with several moms during evaluations and have encouraged more use of open cups and straws vs. sippy cups. I have been using the oral massage and intra oral techniques that we practiced. I have had my best two sessions with my client that you had the group help me brainstorm. I even spoke with his parents and told them I want to take giant steps backward in order to make huge steps forward - he was much more tolerant of the oral massage and even let me in his mouth with the Chewy Tubes and a toothette today. I feel invigorated and refreshed about oral motor and feeding therapy! Thanks again!

Allyson Goodwyn-Craine, SLP from Portland, Oregon wrote:
Hello Diane - Thanks for coming to Portland! My colleagues and I enjoyed your workshop. Your book has been a staple in my library since its publication. I particularly enjoy your work demonstrating the neurological underpinnings of our oral motor work.... It was great to meet you - I've admired your work for a long time.... We hope you'll come back to Portland more often!

Amanda Wuehr, SLP from West Bend, Wisconsin wrote:
Diane, I wanted to thank you for all the good information provided at the workshop this past weekend. I have started to implement a few things at a time with a few patients. It's amazing what you learn when you apply a more systematic approach.... I look forward to any future conferences you conduct.

Erin Siebert, SLP from Indianapolis, Indiana wrote:
Diane, I really did enjoy your course!!!! I have had your Ages and Stages book for at least 3 years and have read it multiple times. I believe it to be the most beneficial and useful oral motor book that I have read.... This area of study (oral motor, feeding) has always intrigued me. I have devoted my entire career to studying oral motor, reading research, and learning from the best, and I am so glad that you came to INDY! I thank you for all your hard work. I have been on your website and have utilized a lot of your web references.... You are correct; I don't look at individuals' jaws in the same way.... Thanks again.

Alyssa Tyson, SLP from Oklahoma City wrote:
Diane, I attended your workshop in Oklahoma City this weekend and wanted to let you know the information presented was extremely valuable as a therapist. On Monday morning, I implemented several of the techniques you reviewed with great success! Thank you very much. I look forward to attending future conferences.

Susan Kaslo, SLP from Richmond, VA wrote:
Thank you for the wonderful workshop in Richmond. I usually wish they were over after 1-2 hours, but I wish yours had been 2 days. I got a lot of new information (which excites me, because I've been working since 1979, and it is far and wide that someone actually has new and applicable stuff for me!). So ... thank you.

COMMENTS FROM EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ WORKSHOP
• Many of my students have oral difficulties discussed here (i.e., tonic bite, tongue thrust). I've gotten new ideas for their therapy.
• I liked the book and manual but also the hands-on demonstrations. I will use the oral motor techniques, especially re. jaw treatment.
• I liked the hands-on feeding techniques, emphasis on jaw work (haven't had much exposure to it), audio visuals, and report writing information.
• I will use this information in the NICU, with pediatric feeding therapy, and dysphagia/speech treatment in peds. and adults.
• Learning appropriate placement and use of tools helped.
• Everything will prove useful, as this is my first course in this area.

COMMENTS FROM HOUSTON, TX WORKSHOP
• I liked the techniques for oral massage and jaw exercises.
• The discussion and exploration of tools/oral motor techniques, protocol for report writing, and client video were extremely useful.
• I will utilize the techniques to increase intelligibility. Great Job!
• I have additional information to assist therapy interventions. I like the integration of approaches discussed in this workshop.
• Everything was excellent!
• I will be able to use this on a daily basis with most of my clients.
• I liked the hands-on activities.

COMMENTS FROM SAN JOSE, CA WORKSHOP
• Functional application of methods discussed. Made a huge list of ideas to implement.
• I thought this was an excellent class. I would recommend it to other STs and OTs.
• The style of presentation allowed comparison of new information to prior knowledge and practice, as well as projection of how to apply information from the conference.
• I learned how to combine different types of oral motor therapy in a systematic manner.
• The review of oral motor development and videos of cases were very useful. I plan to develop an oral motor history within my parent questionnaire.
• Great idea to have group interacting throughout the day; nice use of props.
• Treatment techniques were integrated, eclectic, and systematic.