Char earned her IAOM certification under the tutelage of Dr. Marv Hanson, one of the original founders of the IAOM. She has studied and applied physiologically-based swallowing and speech analysis and therapy ever since.

She is a therapist, seminar presenter, president of Speech Dynamics and author of several practical books, e.g., Swalloworks, The Myofunctional Evaluation, and The Key to Carryover: Change Oral Posture to Fortify Speech Production. She’s presented over 1300 well-received seminars over the past 26 years and produced many SpeechTherapypd.com CEU videos. She writes a bi-monthly idea-oriented blog called Therapy Matters, and is the host of the popular podcast, The Speech Link.

Char graduated with her Masters in Speech-Language Pathology from Western Michigan University where she was mentored by Dr. Charles VanRiper, the “father of articulation.” Since that time, she has worked several years in the public schools as well as private practice and taught at and was department chair at Loma Linda University in southern California.

Learner Outcomes:
1. Describe personal characteristics and professional contributions of two founders of the IAOM.
2. State three important fundamental characteristics of orofacial myology.
3. Explain the current focus and innovations of orofacial myology and how we can apply them.
4. List and explain two of the important “3-M Principles.”

Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium and Conference Registration Fee Waived
Non-Financial Disclosures: None

Lori L. Overland MS, CCC-SLP, C/NDT, CLC, FOM is a licensed speech pathologist with her neurodevelopmental certification as a lactation counselor. Lori’s private practice focuses on infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with feeding challenges. Lori consults with families from around the world providing weeklong family centered feeding programs.

In addition to her private practice, Lori is a member of the Talk Tool Speakers Bureau. Lori has lectured on oral sensory-motor feeding disorders around the United States and internationally. Her article, A Sensory Motor Approach to Feeding, (Talk Tool 2013) was presented in the ASHA Leader. Lori was accepted, multiple times, to present poster and live presentations on a sensory-motor approach to feeding, self-limited diets, and tethered oral tissue at the annual convention of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association. Lori is a member of ASHA, CSHA, LISHA, NYSSLHA, the IAOM, ICAP and a board member of the oral motor institute.

Learner Outcomes:

1. List the primary muscles of mastication.
2. Describe the interaction of the jaw/lips/tongue and cheeks during chewing.
3. Analyze the motor skills for chewing.

Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium, Talk Tools (Book Royalties), and Conference Registration Fee Waived

Non-Financial Disclosures:OMI Board Member

Seema Virji is a Certified Orofacial Myologist in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She has been a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2007 and has been practicing Orofacial myology since 2015. She was the 8th to certify with the IAOM in Canada. She owns and operates Orofacial Myology Edmonton and has practices in both Edmonton and Leduc. She is passionate about her career, loves helping people, and most of all believes in spreading knowledge. Seema is a busy mom of an 8-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, she loves to explore the world and spend time with her family.
Seema currently sits on the board of directors for the IAOM and is the Co-Chair of the mentoring committee for the IAOM.

Learner Outcomes:
Participants will be able to define Palatal Expansion.
Participants will be able to differentiate between fixed and removable expansion appliances.
Participants will become familiar with different types of expansion appliances.
Participants will learn how to evaluate the upper jaw to assess if palatal expansion is necessary prior to initiating myofunctional therapy.

Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium and Conference Registration Fee Waived
Non-Financial Disclosures: IAOM Board of Director, IAOM Mentoring Co-Chair

About Timothy King, BHSc. BTh. Adv Dip App Sci Myotherapist, MA, OMT:
Timothy King is an Australian based Myotherapist with more than 20 years of clinical experience.
Myotherapy is unique to Australia, but can be likened to a hybrid of physical therapy and myofascial
release. In 2017, Tim expanded his clinical expertise by studying with Sandra Coulson in Orofacial
Myofunctional Therapy. Following this, Tim began to integrate his years of clinical specialization of
cervicogenic headache and TMD with OMT programs for better patient outcomes. During the span of
his career, Tim has provided well over 60 000 treatments with over 7000 patients. Today he also provides online and face-to-face training seminars to Dentists, SLP’s, Myofunctional Therapists and bodyworkers of all disciplines. Tim’s unique Neuromyofascial release method is very fast and efficient for Orofacial pain conditions, as well as soft tissue therapy of all varieties. The techniques that he and his colleagues have developed over the past few decades rely heavily on the latest science around fascia, pain science and movement and are MUCH faster than traditional myofascial release techniques. This has made these techniques very popular and more importantly, a very accessible adjunct skill to professionals in the dental, Myofunctional therapy and speech pathology world.

Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium and Conference Registration Fee Waived
Non-Financial Disclosures: None

About Sarah Beach, BHSc., BA Cert SDT RDH ROHT (Qld):
Having worked in one of Australia’s leading tongue tie clinics, Sarah saw a need to incorporate better manual therapy release techniques in to her OMT programs for patients suffering Orofacial pain and TMD. Since collaborating with Myotherapist Timothy King, Sarah has been incorporating FNFT techniques into her clinical dentistry examinations, as well as her OMT program to provide incredibly fast pain relief for TMD sufferers. Sarah works in private practice performing general dentistry, as well as consulting with two leading Oral and MaxilloFacial Surgeons to treat their non-surgical TMD patients with OMT, myofascial releases and lots of support and education. Sarah is the Australian National Distributor for LightScalpel CO2 Lasers, as well as the owner of White Teeth Studio.

Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium and Conference Registration Fee Waived
Non-Financial Disclosures: None

Learner Outcomes:
Understand the micro and macro anatomy of fascia and its role in orofacial function.
Learn the scientific evidence to date regarding bruxism and occlusion and their relationship to TMD.
Understand the clinical implications of fascial restrictions in relation to TMD.
Learn manual assessment that you can use clinically and which manual therapies to collaborate with as adjunct treatment for you patients.

Nancy Pearl Solomon, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is Research Speech-Language Pathologist at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and Professor in the Department of Surgery, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Solomon is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, past Editor of the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and current Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy. She has published over 100 scholarly articles addressing orofacial muscle function, motor speech disorders, voice disorders, and dysphagia.

Financial Disclosures: Conference Registration Fee Waived
Non-Financial Disclosures: Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy

Hope Reed, SLP.D., CCC-SLP, COM® is Associate Professor in Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Alabama A & M University. She is currently the only Certified Orofacial Myologist® in Alabama and established the world’s first university-based clinic for children and adults with orofacial myofunctional disorders. Her research encompassing orofacial myofunctional disorders has culminated in numerous publications, and she is frequently invited to present at international, regional, state, and local conferences. She also creates Web-based continuing education courses for publication. Dr. Reed serves on the Editorial Review Board for the International Journal of Orofacial Myology and Myofunctional Therapy, and she is the IAOM Institutional Review Board Chairperson.

Financial Disclosures: Conference Registration Fee Waived
Non-Financial Disclosures: IAOM Chair of Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects Research

Learner Outcomes:

1. 1. Name three levels of review provided by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) for Human Subjects Research.
   2. Describe the general IRB criteria for research involving limited cases, retrospective chart reviews, and prospective data collection.
   3. Identify two general types of research that are most appropriate for implementation in a clinical setting.

• List resources that provide guidance for designing clinical research.

Cynthia graduated from PT school in 1990. Her work has focused on head, neck and jaw disorders, breathing, airway and teaching healthy postures and rest position of the mandible to optimize health and the function of bodily systems. Cynthia is author of The TMJ Healing Plan: Ten Steps to Relieving Headaches, Neck Pain, and Jaw Disorders.
Cynthia is a Certified Specialist in Orofacial Myology, Ergonomics, and Craniosacral Therapy with additional training in osteopathy, visceral manipulation, cranial and infant CST as it relates to breast feeding. A breath re-educator, Cynthia has trained in Buteyko, Restorative Breathing, Dynamic Functional Cranial Nerve Assessment, Primal Reflex Release, Rhythmic movement & reflex integration. Cynthia is also trained in Stecco fascial manipulation, dry needling, and the cold laser.
Cynthia is a published researcher, creator & co-founder of www.fairest.org; dedicated to developing Functional AIRway Evaluation Screening Tools and making them freely available to improve the early identification & treatment of airway related disorders.
Cynthia owns a private practice that treats all ages & is passionate about identifying & addressing root causes for faster longer lasting results.
Cynthia loves dark chocolate, sunshine and would like to learn to Swiss yodel like her grandma.
Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium, Conference Registration Fee Waived, Book Royalties, Tongue Wranglers, Owner and Sole Proprietor of private practice.
Non-Financial Disclosures: The Breathe Institute Research Associate, Co-Founder of www.fairest.org, AAMS Board Member, Membership with APTA (American Physical Therapy Association, Pediatric & Orthopedic Sections, AAPMD

Learner Outcomes:

Participants will be able to identify scar tissue remodeling timeline and the amount of tensile strength regained.
Participants will be able to recognize needed interdisciplinary team members as indicated by patient specific needs.
Participants will be able to outline the 6 essential elements to consider before recommendation of invasive surgical intervention for tethered oral tissues.
Participants will be able to recognize the importance of a team approach and how to collaborate to treat the whole person.

Learner Outcomes:
Explain the benefit of a multi-discipline team for patient management.
Review and identify patients who may benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach.
Apply referral criteria to identify patients who may require additional support to further access specialists to improve therapeutic outcomes.

About Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM®:

Kristie Gatto, MA, CCC-SLP, COM® received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas. She has worked as a speech-language pathologist in the public and private school systems, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, children’s hospitals, and in private practice. In 2004, Ms. Gatto became the co-owner of a private practice in Northwest Houston and began her journey in treating children with pediatric feeding disorders. After years of searching for answers in traditional feeding approaches, she underwent training in the field of Orofacial Myology and became the first certified orofacial myologist in the city of Houston in 2011. Ms. Gatto is currently the owner of The Speech and Language Connection, which has two offices in the greater Houston area and employs 18 speech-language pathologists with various specialties.

For roughly twenty years, she has focused her clinical skills on treating patients with issues in feeding, dysphagia, deglutition, oral sensory aversion, orofacial myology, and swallowing- related disorders, as well as articulation, phonological processing, apraxia, and associated concerns related to sleep related breathing disorders.
Financial: Author/royalty payments, owner and treating a treating clinician with The Speech and Language Connection in Houston, Paid Instructor for the International Association of Orofacial Myology, Speaker Honorarium and Conference Registration Fee Waived.
Non-financial: Past President of the International Association of Orofacial Myology, a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and was previously a Board of Directors member for the American Academy of Private Practitioners in Speech Pathology and Audiology and a member of the Community Advisory Board at the University of Houston.

About Dr. Gerard Meskill, MD, FAASM:
Dr. Meskill is the CEO of Tricoastal Narcolepsy and Sleep Disorders Center in Greater Houston, Texas. He is board certified in both neurology and sleep medicine. He completed neurology residency at the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine and sleep medicine fellowship at Stanford University under the tutelage of William Dement and Christian Guilleminault.

Dr. Meskill is published in peer-reviewed journals and texts, and he has authored numerous sleep articles for the Huffington Post. He has served as principal investigator in research ranging from a new diagnostic maneuver for obstructive sleep apnea to the treatment of narcolepsy, as well as on advisory boards for Harmony Biosciences and Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium, Conference Registration Fee Waived, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Harmony Biosciences
Non-Financial Disclosures: None

About Dr. John Karotkin, DDS, MS:
Dr. Karotkin received his DDS degree at University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX, followed by his orthodontic certification and MS in oral biology at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He has been in the private practice of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics in Houston, TX since 2009.
Dr. Karotkin has lectured on topics including an introduction to orthodontics for orofacial myologists, interdisciplinary dental care, surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy, surgical and non-surgical adult maxillary expansion, treatment of airway constriction and sleep disordered breathing, Phase I orthodontics, and Digital Smile Design for organizations including The Institute of Houston Dental Synergy, the International Association of Orofacial Myology, and the Houston Airway Study Club.
Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium and Conference Registration Fee Waived
Non-Financial Disclosures: None

About Dr. Laura Lukin, DDS:

Dr. Laura Lukin has been practicing general dentistry since 2006. During that time, she developed a passion in airway development and maintenance. As a dentist, she looks at the muscles of the mouth, the teeth, jaw, palate, and facial development and assesses how it relates to health and the function of the airway. Dr. Lukin’s vision for Airway Health Dentistry is to spread awareness by educating patients and other healthcare professionals on the connection between the mouth and craniofacial development that impacts the airway. Dr. Lukin is passionate about dentistry’s role in setting children on the right path towards health and wellness by preventing issues such as sleep disordered breathing and chronic allergies. She also works with adults to improve airway health and wellness with education and treatments in office and in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Dr. Lukin is the founder of the Houston Airway Study Club which now consists of over a hundred healthcare professionals including Dentists, Dental Specialists, Physicians, and Speech Language Pathologists trained in orofacial myology. She is a mentor for the Airway Prosthodontics workshop at Spear Education, and a member of the International Affiliation of Tongue Tie Professionals, American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry, Academy of Laser Dentistry, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, International Association of Orofacial Myology, Spear Education Faculty Club, Academy of General Dentistry, Texas Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.

She is also the wife of a dentist, a mom to three girls and enjoys reading, traveling, surfing and running.

Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium, Conference Registration Fee Waived, and Convergent Dental
Non-Financial Disclosures: Personal (may mention family members in presentation)

Dr. Rosalba Courtney ND, DO, PhD is an osteopath with over 40 years’ experience as a practitioner, teacher, researcher, and writer. She has a PhD in breathing and was one of the first practitioners trained in the Buteyko Method in the 1990s. She was founding chairperson of the Buteyko Practitioners Association and trained practitioners in this method in Australia, the USA and UK. This led to a broad interest in breathing therapy in general. She received her PhD from RMIT University for her research on the topic of “Dysfunctional Breathing: Its Parameters, Measurement and Clinical Relevance” in 2011.
She has published over 20 peer reviewed articles and several book chapters on this topic. Rosalba has also completed training in orofacial myology and integrates this into her clinical practice. Rosalba is actively involved in research and mentoring of osteopathic students. Rosalba conducts training programs for practitioners in Integrative Breathing Therapy internationally. She practices in Sydney, Australia.

Financial Disclosures: Speaker Honorarium and Conference Registration Fee Waived
Non-Financial Disclosures: Train and Educate practitioners in Integrative Breathing Therapy

Learner Outcomes:
Recognize the clinical significance of multisystem functions of nasal breathing.
Describe the foundational principles of integrative nasal rehabilitation.
List key steps of a functional nasal breathing assessment.
Perform a mind/body integrative nasal breathing rehabilitation exercises.