Instructor

Guest Speaker

Laura Hellfeld

Laura Hellfeld is a neurodivergent (Autistic, PDA & ADHD) health care professional, consultant and advocate. Her education includes a Masters in Nursing (RN, MSN), licensure in Public Health Nursing (PHN) and certification as a Sleep Consultant. She works as an independent Nurse Consultant to support their neurodivergent community. This includes individuals, families and professionals at school settings, charities and businesses. Laura specializes in PDA, distress behaviours and self-care like eating and sleep. She is also passionate about supporting Autistic mental health by helping build in-person and online community spaces. Laura is also an Editor of the upcoming magazine publication, Autistic Revolution.

Karen Dilfer, OTR/L

Karen Dilfer is an occupational therapist, feeding specialist, and food enthusiast. She has a strong pediatric background and loves to help children with motor, sensory, and mealtime challenges. A Chicago native, Karen enjoys discovering new restaurants and cooking with friends and family. She is a co-founder of the Chicago Feeding Group, a non-profit organization that seeks to support parents and professionals who work with children who struggle to eat. Karen has a bachelor of science degree from Calvin College and a Master of Science degree from Washington University in St. Louis. She is Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) trained and has also completed post-graduate education in sensory integration. Karen has worked with Marsha Dunn Klein, MEd, OTR/L, a leading expert in the field of pediatric feeding and creator of the “Get Permission” Approach to Mealtimes.

CEUs

Certificates will be issued verifying participation in 1.5 hours of continuing education once a passing grade is received on the quiz. Check with your professional organizations licensing bodies to determine exactly what may be accepted for you. This course is eligible for ASHA’s professional development hour requirements. You will not require ASHA pre-approval for this. See here [https://www.asha.org/certification/FactDef/] for more information. As we are based in Illinois, we are more confident that our events count towards our local organizations (e.g. ILOTA). Our events are not formally submitted through any registry, however if you track your hours independently they may count towards your professional development requirements, and your certificate may stand as proof of your participation. We also submit for credit approval with the Illinois Early Intervention Training Program. This is not required for all states, and may not apply to you. Please refer to your state/local organization for further information regarding CEU requirements and if our events are considered eligible activities by their standards.



Cancellations

Cancellations must be in writing and will incur a $10 fee. If more than 10% of the course has been viewed, we are unable to issue a refund. If the Chicago Feeding Group or speaker should need to remove the course, course fees will be refunded or transferred to another course at the discretion of the participant.