WORKSHOP – DAY 3: Saturday, 25 April 2009

LAST UPDATE: 15 Apr 2009

Please note that the conference programme is subject to changes without any notification.

Download the preliminary programme and paper session schedule HERE (pdf format).

DAY 3: Saturday, 25 April 2009, 8:30AM – 5:00PM

Room Session Title & Description Speakers
2.1 8:30AM – 12:30PM HW5: Advanced Augmentative & Alternative Communications (AAC) Intervention – Evidence-Based Language Interventions and Children who use AAC
(Professor Katya Hill, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Institute (AACI), USA)

Sypnosis:
AAC service delivery for children who need augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) represents a wide range of interventions and complex decision-making. This workshop will review the variety of variables that need to be considered before treatment regarding instructional approaches and AAC system features. A systematic review of the research evidence on teaching methods to build language skills includes: aided language stimulation, peer-mediated instruction, parent training, and the four-block literacy model. How to select and collect performance and outcome measures to monitor progress of treatment will be discussed. Case study data will be presented to identify and compare the effectiveness of treatment for building language competence with children using a wide range of AAC methods and systems.

Learner outcomes:

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify four evidence-based instructional approaches to use with children who rely on AAC.
  2. Identify the primary, secondary and tertiary features of an AAC system that are used to support intervention.
  3. Discuss the performance and outcome measures to collect to monitor the effectiveness of AAC treatment.
 		Professor Katya Hill (Research Associate, University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, USA) obtained a Ph.D. on Rehabilitation Sciences and Technology, University of Pittsburgh in 2001. She is currently a Research Associate at University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Science, USA. Since completing her doctorate degree, she was on faculty at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania where she taught courses in AAC and Assistive Technology, computer applications, and childhood communication disorders, supervised the AAC clinical activity, and conducted research on language activity monitoring. Katya has mentored student research projects that resulted in over 20 student papers being accepted for publication or presentation She has over twenty years of AAC clinical and teaching experience.
2.2 8:30AM – 12:30PM HW6: Neuro Rehabilitation – The role of rehabilitation technology in neurorehabilitation – the Tan Tock Seng Hospital Rehabilitation Centre experience
(Dr Kong Keng-He, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, SINGAPORE)

Sypnosis:
The aim of this interactive workshop is to share with participants some of the modes of rehabilitation technology used at Tan Tock Seng Hopsital Rehabilitation Centre. These include the use of Lokomat for gait training, upper limb robotics and video gaming. The strengths and limitations of these adjunctive rehabilitation tools will be presented and discussed.		 Dr Kong Keng-He (Senior Consultant Tan Tock Seng Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore) is a leading local rehabilitation physician specializing in neurorehabilitation. He was formerly the head of, and currently, senior consultant at Tan Tock Seng Hospital Rehabilitation Centre, which is the largest tertiary rehabilitation centre in Singapore. He has established research interests and publications in the area of functional outcomes and spasticity in stroke. More recently, he is involved in research evaluating the role of computer gaming and assistive technology and robotics in stroke rehabilitation. He is currently the chairperson of the Specialists Training Committee, Ministry of Health, overseeing the training of rehabilitation physicians, and members of several committees, including that of Ministry of Health Advisory Committee on National Stroke Strategy, Nanyang Polytechnic School of Health Sciences Occupational Advisory Panel and National Healthcare Group Stroke Disease Management Workgroup.
1:30PM – 3:30PM QW5: Gym for Elderly – Introduction to Whole Body Vibration Therapy Workshop
(Mr Ruben Stuivenberg, Dynaforce, SINGAPORE)

Sypnosis:
Whole Body Vibration (abbreviated as WBV) is a specialist form of vibration training, which is becoming increasingly popular. Initially, vibration training was mainly used in the fitness industry, but the use of vibration equipment is expanding quickly. It is now widely used in physical therapy, rehabilitation and professional sports.

Upon completing of the workshop, the participants will be able to understand the principle of Whole Body Vibration (WBV) training and ensure safe application of Whole Body Vibration training. They will be able to get acquainted with all basic exercises used with Whole Body Vibration training and learn how to use a Whole Body Vibration platform on a basic level. 		Mr Ruben Stuivenberg is a Whole Body Vibration (WBV) expert from the Netherlands. As an early pioneer in the development of WBV for the fitness industry, Ruben has been at the forefront of promoting WBV in this region. For the last 6 years, he has dedicated his passion to create awareness for and applying this WBV technology to the Wellness and Movement concept of exercising. He specializes in combining and developing unique movement concepts for a great workout experience.

Besides being a Master Trainer for FitVibe (a global leader in WBV machines) in the Asia Pacific region, Ruben is also active as a feature writer for several Lifestyle & Wellness Magazines. He is also a Technical Advisor for the Dynaforce International Group, a regional distributor of Technogym, working with them on developing movement concepts and programmes for senior citizens. Ruben's passion is to promote fitness education and create awareness of new training principles. Currently he also holds the position of General Manager for Gold's Gym Elite Rasuna; a new concept Wellness Clubs in Jakarta, which has been rated as the top club in Indonesia.
Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium 1:30PM – 3:30PM F3: Forum Discussion – Assistive & Rehabilitation Technology Alliance
(Moderator: Professor Ang Wei Tech, Nanyang Technological University, SINGAPORE)

Sypnosis:
In this meeting, the stakeholders in this field will discuss the important issues faced by the community in Singapore. These people include technologists & engineers, medical practitioners, policy makers, industrial players, executives of Voluntary Welfare Organizations, and end users (elderly and people with disability (PWD)). The primary goal of this meeting is to unite the community and work towards forming an alliance in the near future to tackle longer term issues. The ultimate goal of this effort is to grow a healthy ecosystem for the use of technology to empower the needy elderly and PWD to lead quality independent lives. When our work become profitable businesses, more jobs will be created, more talents will be drawn into this field to provide better technology, and the needy people will be the eventual beneficiaries.		 Professor Ang Wei Tech (Assistant Professor, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore)
Biography available soon.
Lee Kong Chian School of Business Room 1.2 3:30PM – 6:00PM Meeting: Commercialisation
(Presenter: Dr Ting Choon Meng and Fellowship of Inventors (FOI))

Sypnosis:
The winning teams of the IBM Assistive & Rehabilitative Technology Student Design Challenge 2009 will showcase and present their projects during the FOI meeting. The members of FOI will assess and comment on their creations and will judge them basing on the products' innovation and market potential.