TalkTools Training

TalkTools® Levels OPT™ Specialist Training Program

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

4 Levels of Training

Lower Level

LEVEL 1

Foundational

  1. Levels Training application submission
  2. Completion of 3-Part Treatment Plan for OPT™ — our foundational OPT course FORMATS: self-study, virtual streaming or in-person workshop.
  3. 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.
  4. 3 months direct application or immersive observation of  OPT™ techniques in your practice or as part of your speech and feeding 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

What you will learn 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

  1. Levels™ Training application submission
  2. Completion of LEVEL 1 coursework
  3. Completion of at least 1 (ONE) option among the courses listed below (all courses listed equal 12 hours instructional time) — available formats: live virtual streaming, onsite/in-person or self-study/on-demand formats:
  4. 3 months direct application or immersive observation of  OPT™ techniques in your practice or as part of your speech and feeding 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. Certificates from the required courses must be valid from the past 3 years in order to apply.

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

  1. Levels™ Training application submission
  2. Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
  3. 3 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

Certificates from the required courses/training must be valid from the past 3 years in order to apply.

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  learners who have completed Level 2.
  • — cohort will work closely with the Instructor to review client case studies and the Instructor will guide the candidates on critical thinking, evaluation strategies and OPT™ treatment techniques and protocols.
  • — pre-workshop test and self-guided review 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 professionals 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
  • — 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

  1. Levels™ Training application submission
  2. Completion of Level 1 and Level 2 coursework
  3. Completion of Level 3 Training
  4. Officially Recognized OPT™ Specialist
  5. 2 years+ of applied techniques in your practice
  6. Pre-acceptance Q&A interview with Levels Instructor

Certificates from the required courses/training must be valid from the past 3 years in order to apply.

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
  • — 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.
  • — cohort will learn from each other, as well as the Instructor.
  • — pre-workshop client video, test and self-guided review 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
  • Serve as a principal contributor to the TalkTools® community for blogs, articles and on feedback on new tools and training and other beneficial topics

The TalkTools® Levels Training Program has been an integral 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.