2022 Making Connections Conference : Past Conferences : Resources : Team Luke

Welcome to the 2022 Making Connections Virtual Conference & Resource Fair

We are so glad you are here with us and hope you will find all of the information provided both helpful and encouraging! Here, you will be able to view our sponsors, nonprofit partners, speakers and the presentations.

Conference Program

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Facilitates Stem Cell Implantation: Yet Another Beneficial Effect of HBOT

Dr. Paul Harch, M.D

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a dual-drug therapy consisting of increased pressure and increased oxygen. All living organisms are sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure and oxygen. HBOT utilizes this sensitivity by increasing pressure and oxygen to a patient to stimulate genes in our chromosomes that inhibit inflammation and produce growth and repair hormones. The target of these hormones are wounds in our body. In essence HBOT is a treatment for wounds in any location in the body and of any duration. Traditionally, the medical profession has not thought of diseases as wounding conditions. In this talk Dr. Harch will show how most neurological diseases, including pediatric neurological diseases, are wounding conditions. Examples will be shown of HBOT's effectiveness in a number of cases and the justification made for application to many pediatric neurological conditions, especially those resulting from birth injury.

The Research and Clinical Applications Behind Vagus Nerve Stimulation Through Laser and Electrical Therapy

Dr. Ryan Cedermark, FNP-C, DC, DACNB & Dr. Brandon Crawford, DC, FIBFN

The below items will be discussed during the presentation:

-The research behind vagus nerve stimulation and why it is important in brain injury

-Pilot study discussing safety/efficacy of our lasers

-Clinical applications of vagus nerve stimulation through laser and electrical therapy

Communication Devices and Acquired Brain Injuries

Kirstin White, B.S SLPA & Kristy Gibson, M.A., CCC-SLP

Exploring communication devices, different access methods and what to look for when trialing high tech communication devices after an acquired brain injury.

Marriage Matters

Stacey Gesinger, LMFT

This presentation will focus on practical tools to help couples reconnect and communicate better

Medical Cannabis in an Acquired Brain Injury: Knowns and Unknowns

Dr. Keough

We will discuss the hope and hype for medical cannabis in treating patients with a brain injury, including potential benefits and risks, clinical approach, and the role of the Texas Compassionate Use Program.

Feeding your Body and Brain

Dwan Newman, RD, LDN, CNSC Pediatric Dietitian and Clinical Science Liaison

Kate Farms

A healthy diet after brain injury is essential for optimum recovery. Nutrition is an important part of brain injury recovery because both the brain and body need proper nutrients in order to heal. Without good nutrition, malnutrition is common and can impair healing, rehabilitation and increase risk for infections. Learn how nutritional therapy with food and nutritional supplements can help provide important calories, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and fiber to improve both our overall health and our brain function.

Ready & Relaxed

Dr. Belinda Palmer

This presentation will teach you diaphragmatic breathing to help manage and reduce stress.

Texas Medicaid and Medicaid Waivers

Elizabeth Tucker

Learn important information about Texas long-term services and supports that may be available to your family, including Medicaid and Medicaid waivers

Neuro Nutrients After Brain Injury: A Parents Guide To How Supplementation Can Improve Quality Of Life

Dr. Emily Gutierrez

Choosing dietary supplements can be a confusing and overwhelming task for parents, especially when their goal is to support their childs brain health. In this lecture, Dr. Gutierrez will go over several of the most common nutrients used to support cognition and neurodevelopmental needs. She will guide parents through the science, discuss how to be a savvy consumer in a market full of millions of products, and give examples of success stories from her long history of clinical practice.

Music Therapy on the Brain: Three Case Studies

Danielle Baumgartner, MT-BC

A Music Therapist shares her experiences working with three different clients, each diagnosed with a brain injury. Hear how one client regained mobility and confidence after an accident left him with a TBI, how music therapy helped a client reduce anxiety and brought comfort, and lastly, how music therapy reinforced a communication outlet that allowed a client to independently voice his needs and wants. Through these stories, Danielle will describe what families can expect from music therapy, how it can impact an individual’s quality of life, and how to find a Board Certified Music Therapist.

Pyramid of Neurodevelopment; Using the Senses for Rehabilitation: A Case Study

Dr. Kalambaheti

The Pyramid of Neurodevelopment walks families step by step through the most foundational aspects of human neurology to the most sophisticated. During this, different specialties are discussed, like functional neurology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and applied behavioral analysis, in terms of what neurological functions they best address. This helps give families a guide on what types of therapies to look into next. Using the Senses for Rehabilitation will go into the 6 senses and how to best harness them to benefit your child's brain. A real patient example will be given to highlight how vision, olfaction, taste, touch, hearing, and proprioception can be used during rehabilitation to stimulate the brain.

Reaching Further: An Integrative Approach to Supporting Healthy Muscle Tone in Children with Neurological Conditions

Dr. Amanda Ryskowski

In this presentation, Dr. Ryskowski describes some of the most widely used interventions for managing spasticity and dystonia and highlights the gaps that exist within the current treatment approach. She explores the pathophysiology behind hypertonicity and contractures, then discusses how minimally invasive hyaluronidase injections can help to prevent and treat contractures, improve range of motion, and allow children to further their motor development. She also discusses how other naturopathic interventions such as topical creams, magnesium, amino acids, and botanical medicine can play a role in supporting children struggling with tone issues

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) Approach to Pediatric Brain Injury

Dr. Maureen Nelson

In this presentation, Dr. Nelson will discuss what Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) does and how that can impact your child with pediatric brain injury from acute care, to rehab unit, & down the line.

How to Activate a Developing Brain

Dr. Conner Bor DC DACNB

How to incorporate sensory and motor modalities to target weak/injured areas of the brain to promote positive neuroplasticity.

Treat Yourself!

Kristin Hughes, OTR

Tools, tips, and exercises for parents and caregivers to treat themselves to reduce stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue.

Managing Challenging Behaviors

Lori Wright, PhD

The presentation will review fundamentals of behavior modification in an easy-to-understand format and provide practical suggestions and strategies for managing problematic behaviors. This will be an informal presentation that welcomes questions about particular behaviors.

Thank you to our incredible sponsors!

Please take a minute and check out our event sponsors. This conference is made possible due to their generosity and we appreciate them more than they know. Click any of the sponsor names to learn more about their work or to visit their website. Our sponsors are also resources for you and your family.

Presenting Sponsor- NeuroSolution Center of Austin

Platinum Sponsor- NeuroSolutions

Gold Sponsor- Okoboji Wellness Clinic & AeroNautiX Performance Clinic

Waymaker Sponsor- Permobil Foundation

Hero Sponsor- Child Neurology Consultants of Austin

Hero Sponsor- Aveanna Healthcare

Hero Sponsor- Napa Center

Hero Sponsor- 123HBOT

Hero Sponsor- Dell Children’s Orthopedics

Partner Sponsor- Nexus

Partner Sponsor- RiverKids Pediatric Home Health

Partner Sponsor- Little Tesoros Therapy Services

Friend Sponsor- Rehab Without Walls

Friend Sponsor- MobilityWorks

Friend Sponsor- National Seating & Mobility

Friend Sponsor- URS Medical

Friend Sponsor- Texas NeuroRehab Center

Friend Sponsor- Texas Original

Nonprofit Sponsors

Below you will find a number of nonprofit sponsors that might be a valuable resource to you and your child. Click any of the nonprofit names to learn more about their work or to visit their website. We encourage you to check them out when you have time. As always, we strive to be a trusted partner of yours and hope you will contact Ronda if there is any way that we can assist you and your child. You can reach her at ronda@teamlukehopeforminds.org.

Joshua’s Stage

Partners Resource Network

Texas Parent to Parent

Resource Fair

There is nothing quite like having the opportunity to visit with companies and organizations who serve children with a brain injury, all in the same place. Our Resource Fair is meant to provide an all access pass to our families to resources, services, products, therapies, etc., that could help their child or help them care for their child. Below is some footage of this years Resource Fair that we hope you enjoy checking out!

We can’t thank you enough for joining us for the 2022 Making Connections Conference and Resource Fair! We hope to see you again next year virtually or in person!