Continue your Levels Training journey with expanded OPT™ coursework in feeding therapy, speech therapy and the sensory system.
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TalkTools® exclusive training program is the only officially recognized advanced training program for OPT (Oral Placement Therapy)™ available
Grow Your Practice
Empower Your Clients
Expand Your Network
Further Your Expertise
Application is required even if you started some or all Lower Level (Level 1/Level 2) coursework
4 Levels of Training
Lower Level
LEVEL 1
Foundational
- Levels Training application submission
- Completion of 3-Part Treatment Plan for OPT™ — our foundational OPT course FORMATS: self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop
- Completion of OPT: Assessment and Program Plan Development™ ––apply what you’ve learned to build your own OPT Program™. FORMATS: self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop
- 3 months direct application or immersive observation of OPT™ techniques in your practice or on your team (depending upon your professional role on your team)
All TalkTools learners receive a CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION after they complete a TalkTools® course — this certificate verifies they have completed a TalkTools course and can integrate the OPT™ techniques and principles they learned in their therapy practice.
Level 1 is comprised of our foundational OPT™ courses in the following formats:
- on-demand/self-study
- in-person on a scheduled date/time
- virtual streaming (ex., Zoom) on a scheduled date/time
This is what you get from Level 1 training:
- acquire practical techniques that be utilized with the speech and feeding team right away
- gain functional, straightforward concepts that can be implemented with other therapy approaches
- be equipped to move forward on their TalkTools® educational journey
Lower Level
LEVEL 2
Intermediate
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of LEVEL 1 coursework
- Completion of at least 1 (ONE) course among the courses listed below (all courses listed are 12 hours instructional time) — available formats: live virtual streaming, onsite/in-person or self-study/on-demand formats:
- Eating and Swallowing: A Global Approach
- Feeding Therapy: A Sensory Motor Approach™
- Superpowers of the Sensory System™
- Motor Speech Series™
- Kaleidoscope Model for Feeding™
- Feeding Disorders: Focus on Dysphagia™
- Best Practices in Feeding, Speech and Mouth Function™
- Assessment and Remediation of Tethered Oral Tissues™
- Taking Your Clients with Autism from Non-Vocal to Verbal™
- 6 hours minimum additional TalkTools® courses — the following qualifies:
- One longer course (6 hours) OR a combination of shorter courses to equal 6 hours TOTAL
- see our Self-Study/On-Demand Course Collection for course selection and additional info
- 3 months direct application or immersive observation of OPT™ techniques in your practice or on your team (depending upon your professional role on your team)
All TalkTools learners receive a CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION after they complete a TalkTools® course — this certificate verifies they have completed a TalkTools course and can integrate the OPT™ techniques and principles they learned in their therapy practice
Level 2 is comprised of our specialty courses in the following formats:
- on-demand/self-study
- in-person on a scheduled date/time
- virtual streaming (ex., Zoom) on a scheduled date/time
Upon completion of Level 2 coursework, you can expect to:
- develop a broader practical knowledge and proficiency in OPT™
- gain additional knowledge and training in key therapeutic areas, such as feeding, sensory regulation, and speech disorders
- continue to empower their clients and the families they serve
- further your TalkTools education to prepare for Level 3
Upper Level
LEVEL 3
TalkTools® OPT™ Specialist
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
- 6 months direct application or immersive observation of OPT™ techniques in your practice or on your team (depending upon your role) — this includes 3 months in Level 1 + 3 months in Level 2
- Pre-acceptance interview session with Levels™ Instructor
The Level 3 Training Program:
- — a multi-day, interactive workshop (either virtual streaming — i.e., Zoom — or in-person).
- — limited to a small cohort of Level 2 learners.
- — The cohort will work closely with the Instructor to review client case studies and guide the candidates on critical thinking, evaluation strategies and OPT™ treatment plans.
- — A pre-workshop self-study and training module will also be part of the training
This is what you get from Level 3 Training:
- — Expanded oral-motor, speech and feeding knowledge to further empower your clients and their families
- — Additional insight for referrals
- — Growth in critical thinking skills
- — Understanding and applying the “team approach” in your practice
- — Immersive, collaborative learning experience with other committed and passionate professional and led by top speech and feeding therapists and OPT™ experts
- — Level 3 OPT™ Specialist Certificate, which certifies that you are an officially recognized and qualified TalkTools® Level 3 OPT™ Specialist
- — Member of the TalkTools® Levels OPT™ Therapist Global Network
- — Level 3 OPT™ Specialist badge to designate status in communications, marketing and client outreach
- — Special discounts and offers on TalkTools® products and services
- — 1-on-1 mentoring from the TalkTools® Teaching Team
- — Eligible to apply to the TalkTools® Instructor Training Program
- — Contributor to the TalkTools® community for blog posts and articles and for feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics
Upper Level
LEVEL 4
TalkTools® OPT™ Advanced Specialist
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
- Completion of Level 3 Training
- Officially Recognized OPT™ Specialist
- 2 years+ of applied techniques in your practice
- Pre-acceptance Q&A interview with Levels Instructor
The Level 4 Training Program:
- — is a multi-day workshop (either virtual streaming — i.e., Zoom — or in-person).
- — is limited to a small cohort of Level 3 OPT™ Specialists
- — The cohort will provide their own OPT™ case studies and, together with the Instructor, will engage in interactive, collaborative discussions on how build comprehensive assessment and treatment plans.
- — The cohort will learn from each other, as well as the Instructor.
- — A pre-workshop self-study and training module will also be part of the training.
This is what you get from Level 4 Training:
- Share your Level 3 experience and expertise to brainstorm practical solutions to tough case studies in real-time with other like-minded Level 3 peers in a supportive and collaborative environment
- Extensive and direct speech and feeding knowledge, skills and expertise to empower your clients, their families and enrich your community
- Exclusive, personal cohort-led learning experience, guided by top speech and feeding therapists and OPT™ experts.
- Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist Certificate, which certifies that you are an officially recognized and qualified TalkTools® Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist
- Senior member of the TalkTools® OPT™ Specialist Global Network
- Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist badge to designate your status in communications, marketing and client outreach
- Expanded discounts and exclusive offers on TalkTools® products and services
- 1-on-1 mentoring from the TalkTools® Teaching Team
- Provide guidance to Level 1 and Level 2 therapists
- Eligible to apply to the TalkTools® Instructor Training Program
- Serve as a principal contributor to the TalkTools® community for blogs, articles and on feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics
Application is required
Even if you have completed some or all lower level (Level 1 and Level 2) coursework.
FAQs
Level 1 Foundational
Level 2 Intermediate
LEVEL 3 OPT™ Specialist
LEVEL 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist
Level 1 Foundational
COMPLETION OF LEVEL 1 (4 steps)
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of 3-Part Treatment Plan for OPT™ — our foundational OPT course self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop
- Completion of OPT: Assessment and Program Plan Development™ ––apply what you’ve learned to build your own OPT Program™ self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop
- 3 months applied OPT™ techniques in your practice
COURSE COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATES
All TalkTools learners receive a CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION after they complete a TalkTools® course — this certificate verifies they have completed a TalkTools course and can integrate the OPT™ techniques and principles they learned in their therapy practice. The certificate of course completion DOES NOT VERIFY CERTIFICATION IN OPT™ and does not qualify individuals to advertise or promote themselves as officially recognized, qualified TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists. Only individuals who have completed Level 3 and Level 4 are officially recognized TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists
Level 2 Intermediate
COMPLETION OF LEVEL 2 (5 steps)
- Levels™ Training application submission
- Completion of LEVEL 1 coursework
- Completed of at least 1 (ONE) course among the courses listed below (all courses listed are 12 hours instructional time) — available formats: live virtual streaming, onsite/in-person or self-study/on-demand formats:
- 12 hours minimum additional TalkTools® courses — the following qualifies:
- one 12-hour course OR a combination of shorter courses to equal 12 hours total
- 3 months applied OPT techniques in your practice
COURSE COMPLETION AND CERTIFICATES
All TalkTools® learners receive a CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION after they complete a TalkTools® course — this certificate verifies they have completed a TalkTools course and can integrate the OPT™ techniques and principles they learned in their therapy practice. The certificate of course completion DOES NOT VERIFY CERTIFICATION IN OPT™ and does not qualify individuals to advertise or promote themselves as officially recognized, qualified TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists. Only individuals who have completed Level 3 and Level 4 are officially recognized TalkTools® Levels-trained OPT™ Specialists
LEVEL 3 OPT™ Specialist
once you’ve completed your Level 1 and Level 2 coursework and have applied OPT™ techniques for at least 6 months, you qualify to APPLY for Level 3 Training.
The Level 3 Training Program is a multi-day, interactive workshop, limited to a small cohort of Level 2 learners. The cohort will work closely with the Instructor, who provides case studies and guides the candidates on critical thinking, evaluation strategies and OPT™ treatment plans.
ACCEPTANCE TO LEVEL 3 TRAINING
- Levels Training application submission
- Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
- 6 months of applied techniques in your practice (this includes 3 months applied techniques in Level 1 + 3 months applied techniques in Level 2)
- Pre-acceptance interview session with Levels™ Instructor
Upon completion of this Level, you will:
- receive your OPT™ Specialist Certificate, which certifies that you are an officially recognized and qualified TalkTools® Level 3 OPT™ Specialist
- be a member of the TalkTools® Levels OPT™ Therapist Global Network
- receive your Level 3 OPT™ Specialist badge to designate status in communications, marketing and client outreach
- receive special discounts on TalkTools® products and services
- be qualified to receive 1-on-1 mentoring from the TalkTools® Teaching Team
- be eligible to apply to the TalkTools® Instructor Training Program
- be primary contributor to the TalkTools® community for blog posts and articles and for feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics.
LEVEL 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist
Once you graduate from Level 3 and are an offically recognized OPT™ Specialist and have applied OPT™ techniques for at least 1 year, you qualify to APPLY for Level 4 Training
The Level 4 Training Program is a multi-day workshop, limited to a small cohort of Level 3 OPT™ Specialists. The cohort will provide their own OPT™ case studies and, together with the Instructor, will engage in interactive, collaborative discussions on how build comprehensive assessment and treatment plans. The cohort will learn from each other, as well as the Instructor. A pre-workshop self-study and training module will also be part
ACCEPTANCE TO LEVEL 4 TRAINING
- Levels Training application submission
- Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
- Completion of Level 3 Training
- Officially Recognized OPT™ Specialist
- 2 years+ of applied techniques in your practice
- Pre-acceptance Q&A interview with Levels Instructor
Upon completion of this Level, you are a recognized and qualified TalkTools® Advanced OPT™ Specialist and will:
- receive your Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist Certificate, which certifies that you are an officially recognized and qualified TalkTools® Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist
- be a senior member of the TalkTools® OPT™ Specialist Global Network
- receive your Level 4 OPT™ Advanced Specialist badge to designate your status in communications, marketing and client outreach
- receive additional discounts on TalkTools® products and services
- be qualified to receive 1-on-1 mentoring from the TalkTools® Teaching Team
- be eligible to provide guidance to Level 1 and Level 2 therapists
- be eligible to apply to the TalkTools® Instructor Training Program
- be a principal contributor to the TalkTools® community for blogs, articles and on feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics
Level 1 and Level 2 (lower Levels) are considered prerequisite courses for Level 3 and Level 4 (upper Levels)
Level 1 includes our foundational OPT™ courses.
Level 2 includes our intermediate specialty courses
Level 3 OPT™ Specialist training is s a multi-day workshop, limited to a small cohort of professionals who have completed Level 2 . The cohort will work closely with the Instructor, who provides case studies and guides the discussion on evaluation strategies and OPT™ treatment plans
The Level 4 Advanced OPT™ Training Program is a multi-day workshop, limited to a small cohort of Level 3 OPT™ Specialists. The cohort will provide their own case studies and, together with the Instructor, will engage in interactive, collaborative discussions on how build comprehensive assessment and treatment plans. The cohort will learn from each other, as well as the Instructor.
NOTE: Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 does NOT qualify you as a TalkTools OPT™ Specialist. You must complete at least Level 3
- Review the requirements for each Level (see above)
- Submit your application (TalkTools staff will make every effort to notify you of your acceptance status within 45 days of submission)
- Complete Level 1 and Level 2 coursework and apply the OPT™ techniques you have learned with your clients
- After completing Level 1 and Level 2 coursework, inquire about Level 3 training
- After completing Level 3 training, enquire about Level 4 training
Anyone who is interested in expanding their OPT™ knowledge, empowering their clients and growing their practice may apply to this educational training. Some professionals on the speech and feeding team who may be interested in and benefit from this training include:
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Behavioral Therapist
- Lactation Counselor (CLC/IBCLC)
- Orofacial Myologist/Certified Orofacial Myologist (COM)
- Pediatric Educator
- Feeding Therapist
- Dietician/Nutritionist
- Swallowing/ Dysphagia Specialist
Obtaining relevant education and training as it applies to professional growth and knowledge can allow for a more thorough understanding of the client and a holistic, collaborative and cooperative approach to assessment and treatment options across your team.
The roles, responsibilities, procedures, actions and processes for medical professionals are determined by the terms of their license, as dictated by the licensing bodies in their area/jurisdiction.
- completion previous levels
- advanced understanding of OPT™ principles and approaches
- observation and/or demonstration of OPT™ techniques in a clinical setting
- critical thinking
- independent decision-making
- interview with Levels Instructor
- ability/availability to travel to in-person training
Yes! We encourage learners who are who are passionate about OPT™ and are thinking about becoming a TalkTools® OPT™ Specialist to apply at any point during their educational journey with us — whether they are just starting out or they have taken several courses.
Once you review the requirements, you may be closer to Level 3 training than you think!
Application is required to be acceptance to the Levels Training Program
The TalkTools® Levels Training Program has been an intregal part of our education and outreach focus since the beginning and continues to support our mission: To make a contribution to the world by improving the lives of those with disabilities and their families.